Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Neoclassical design emerged in Europe in the 1750s, as the Age of Enlightenment reached full flower. Neoclassical furniture took its cues from the styles of ancient Rome and Athens: symmetrical, ordered, dignified forms with such details as tapered and fluted chair and table legs, backrest finials and scrolled arms.
Over a period of some 20 years, first in France and later in Britain, neoclassical design — also known as Louis XVI, or Louis Seize — would supersede the lithe and curvaceous Rococo or Louis XV style.
The first half of the 18th century had seen a rebirth of interest in classical antiquity. The "Grand Tour" of Europe, codified as a part of the proper education of a patrician gentleman, included an extended visit to Rome. Some ventured further, to sketch the ruins of ancient Greece. These drawings and others — particularly those derived from the surprising and rich archaeological discoveries in the 1730s and ’40s at the sites of the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum — caused great excitement among intellectuals and aesthetes alike.
Neoclassical furniture is meant to reflect both grace and power. The overall appearance of neoclassical chairs, tables and cabinetry is strong and rectilinear. These pieces are, in effect, classical architecture in miniature: chair and table legs are shaped like columns; cabinets are constructed with elements that mirror friezes and pediments.
Yet neoclassicism is enlivened by gilt and silver leaf, marquetry, and carved and applied ornamental motifs based on Greek and Roman sculpture: acanthus leaves, garlands, laurel wreaths, sheaves of arrow, medallions and chair splats are carved in the shapes of lyres and urns. Ormolu — or elaborate bronze gilding — was essential to French design in the 18th and 19th centuries as a cornerstone of the neoclassical and Empire styles.
As you can see from the furniture on these pages, there is a bit of whimsy in such stately pieces — a touch of lightness that will always keep neoclassicism fresh.
Find antique neoclassical furniture today on 1stDibs.
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Tôle
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
20th Century English Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Iron
1880s French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Metal, Silver Plate
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Porcelain, Paint
19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Porphyry
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
1810s Swedish Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Porphyry
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Plaster
Early 19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Metal, Ormolu
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Terracotta
Late 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Marble
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Malachite, Ormolu
Mid-20th Century German Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Crystal
Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Iron
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Majolica, Terracotta
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Silver, Sterling Silver
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Bronze
1890s Danish Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Marble
1980s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Murano Glass
19th Century British Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Ceramic
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Enamel
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Ormolu, Tôle, Bronze
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Bronze
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Marble
1870s English Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Ceramic
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Composition
1880s English Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Pottery
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Marble
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Alabaster
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
20th Century American Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Copper, Iron
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Bronze
20th Century French Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Ormolu
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Bronze
Mid-19th Century Czech Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Glass
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Marble, Spelter
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Metal, Ormolu
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Marble, Bronze
1860s German Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Pine
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Metal, Bronze
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Ceramic, Pottery
20th Century French Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
1830s American Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Slate, Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Porcelain, Giltwood
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Crystal
Early 20th Century German Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
20th Century American Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Sheet Metal
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Bronze
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Stoneware
1780s English Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Stoneware
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Pottery
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Tin
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Porphyry