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
Marble
20th Century Spanish Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Porcelain, Terracotta
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Bronze
Mid-18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Earthenware
1980s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Murano Glass
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Malachite, Bronze
1770s Italian Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Maiolica
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Enamel, Ormolu
1910s French Vintage Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Marble, Silver, Sterling Silver
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Marble, Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Onyx, Stone, Metal, Bronze, Copper, Enamel
1890s English Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Marble, Bronze
Late 19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
1920s Vintage Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Majolica
18th Century Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Bronze, Ormolu
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Ormolu, Bronze
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Alabaster
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Metal, Brass, Enamel
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Ceramic, Stoneware
Late 19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Enamel
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Marble, Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Bronze
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Tôle
20th Century European Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Alabaster
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Delft, Faience
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Silver Plate
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Silver
1890s German Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Iron
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Bronze
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Wood
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Alabaster
1790s Dutch Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Faience
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Marble, Bronze
2010s Polish Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Ceramic
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Bronze
20th Century American Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Crystal
2010s Italian Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Marble, Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Bronze
1970s English Vintage Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Stoneware
18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Stone, Marble
20th Century Russian Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Bronze, Ormolu
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Bronze
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Brass
Early 20th Century North American Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Marble, Ormolu
18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Silver
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Earthenware
19th Century Irish Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Majolica
20th Century Russian Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Ormolu
1980s Unknown Vintage Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Plaster