Neoclassical Vases
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.
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 authentic neoclassical furniture today on 1stDibs.
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Vases
Sterling Silver
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases
Marble
Late 18th Century European Antique Neoclassical Vases
Marble
Mid-20th Century German Neoclassical Vases
Crystal
19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Vases
Marble
Mid-19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Vases
Ceramic
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Vases
Crystal, Bronze
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Vases
Carrara Marble
Late 20th Century Greek Neoclassical Vases
Terracotta, Paint
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Vases
Creamware
1880s English Antique Neoclassical Vases
Pottery
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases
Cut Glass
Late 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases
Ormolu
Mid-19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Vases
Pottery
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases
Crystal
Early 19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Vases
Metal, Ormolu
20th Century English Neoclassical Vases
Iron
Mid-20th Century British Neoclassical Vases
Pottery
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Vases
Gold
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases
Bronze, Ormolu
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases
Pewter
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Vases
Pottery
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Vases
Stoneware
20th Century French Neoclassical Vases
Bronze, Ormolu
20th Century European Neoclassical Vases
Marble
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Vases
Silver, Sterling Silver
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Vases
Stoneware
1850s Russian Antique Neoclassical Vases
Ormolu, Bronze
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Neoclassical Vases
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Czech Neoclassical Vases
Art Glass
Mid-20th Century English Neoclassical Vases
Stoneware, Ceramic, Pottery
1830s Russian Antique Neoclassical Vases
Malachite, Ormolu, Bronze
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Vases
Porcelain
1790s English Antique Neoclassical Vases
Stoneware
20th Century French Neoclassical Vases
Bronze, Ormolu
1890s Antique Neoclassical Vases
Pewter
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Vases
Bronze
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases
Crystal, Marble, Bronze
1890s English Antique Neoclassical Vases
Porcelain
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases
Porcelain
Late 19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Vases
Porcelain
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Vases
Earthenware
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases
Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel
20th Century Russian Neoclassical Vases
Ormolu
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases
Porcelain
20th Century Russian Neoclassical Vases
Bronze, Ormolu
Early 1900s English Antique Neoclassical Vases
Stoneware
20th Century English Neoclassical Vases
Pottery, Stoneware, Ceramic
Early 1800s English Antique Neoclassical Vases
Stoneware
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Vases
Porcelain
20th Century Russian Neoclassical Vases
Bronze, Ormolu
1810s Swedish Antique Neoclassical Vases
Porphyry
1790s Italian Antique Neoclassical Vases
Maiolica
1870s English Antique Neoclassical Vases
Ceramic
Mid-19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Vases
Crystal, Ormolu
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases
Alabaster
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Vases
Carrara Marble