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. 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.
20th Century French Neoclassical Vases
Lapis Lazuli, Ormolu
Early 20th Century Czech Neoclassical Vases
Art Glass
20th Century Russian Neoclassical Vases
Onyx
Late 18th Century European Antique Neoclassical Vases
Alabaster
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Vases
Ceramic, Pottery
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases
Porcelain
Late 19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Vases
Porcelain
20th Century American Neoclassical Vases
Crystal
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases
Earthenware
Mid-20th Century German Neoclassical Vases
Crystal
Mid-19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Vases
Ceramic, Porcelain
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases
Ormolu
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Vases
Copper
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases
Faience
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Vases
Porphyry, Bronze
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Vases
Gold
Early 2000s Italian Neoclassical Vases
Ceramic, Majolica
19th Century Austrian Antique Neoclassical Vases
Porcelain
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Vases
Ceramic
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Vases
Wood
Late 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Vases
Stone
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Vases
Ceramic, Porcelain
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases
Blown Glass
Late 18th Century Antique Neoclassical Vases
Porphyry, Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases
Crystal, Ormolu
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Vases
Porcelain
20th Century English Neoclassical Vases
Ceramic
1880s English Antique Neoclassical Vases
Pottery
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases
Porcelain
1820s French Antique Neoclassical Vases
Porcelain
18th Century European Antique Neoclassical Vases
Marble, Stone, Bronze
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Vases
Pottery
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Vases
Wood
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases
Porcelain
18th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical Vases
Glass
1830s French Antique Neoclassical Vases
Porcelain
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Belgian Neoclassical Vases
Porcelain
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases
Porcelain
1890s Antique Neoclassical Vases
Pewter
2010s Italian Neoclassical Vases
Marble, Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases
Enamel, Ormolu
1880s French Antique Neoclassical Vases
Porcelain
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Vases
Pottery
Early 1900s German Antique Neoclassical Vases
Porcelain
Early 1900s European Antique Neoclassical Vases
Porcelain
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Vases
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases
Belgian Black Marble, Bronze
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Vases
Earthenware
Late 18th Century European Antique Neoclassical Vases
Majolica
20th Century Russian Neoclassical Vases
Bronze, Ormolu
20th Century English Neoclassical Vases
Iron
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Vases
Murano Glass
20th Century Russian Neoclassical Vases
Bronze, Ormolu
20th Century Neoclassical Vases
Marble
1870s French Antique Neoclassical Vases
Porcelain
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases
Onyx, Bronze, Enamel
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Vases
Porcelain