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 1800s Spanish Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Silver
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Porphyry, Bronze
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Ceramic
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Wood
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Mahogany
1890s Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Pewter
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Alabaster
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Wood, Wicker
Late 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Tôle
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Enamel
18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Marble, Bronze, Metal
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Tin
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Blown Glass
19th Century Austrian Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Metal, Iron
1880s French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Iron
1830s French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Crystal, Ormolu
1820s French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Late 18th Century European Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Majolica
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Tôle
1880s English Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Pottery
Late 18th Century Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Porphyry, Bronze
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Late 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Stone
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Pottery
20th Century French Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Crystal
18th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Glass
1880s French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Metal, Silver Plate
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Wood
20th Century American Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Sheet Metal
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Marble, Bronze
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Brass
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Metal, Brass, Enamel
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Iron
18th Century European Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Marble, Stone, Bronze
20th Century Russian Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Bronze, Ormolu
Early 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Marble
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Malachite, Ormolu
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Marble
Early 20th Century Belgian Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Bronze
2010s Italian Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Marble, Bronze
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Early 19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Silver
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Granite
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Granite
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Marble, Ormolu
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Marble, Bronze
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Porphyry, Ormolu
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Marble