Neoclassical Vases
NEOCLASSICAL STYLE
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.
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Style: Neoclassical
French 19th Century Neoclassical Style Patinated Bronze Tazza
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome French 19th century Neo-Classical st. patinated bronze tazza. The urn is raised on a Vert de Patricia marble hexagonal base below the fluted column support with patinated ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Large Neoclassical Style Gilt Bronze and Porcelain Vase
Located in London, GB
Large Neoclassical style gilt bronze and porcelain vase
French, 19th Century
Measures: height 87 cm, diameter 27 cm
This grand porcelain vase is crafted in the style of Sèvres. ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu
Glass and Vase, Glass, Real Fábrica de Cristales de La Granja, Spain, 18th C
By Real Fábrica de Cristales de La Granja
Located in Madrid, ES
Jug and glass. Glass. Royal Glass Factory of La Granja de San Ildefonso, Segovia, Spain, 18th century.
Pitcher or vase with lid and glass with a smal...
Category
18th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical Vases
Materials
Glass
Pair of Early 19th Century French Neoclassical Bronze Urn on Marble Pedestal
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
A fine pair of early to mid-19th century Campana shaped patinated bronze urns on Sienna marble pedestals. The bronzes are of good quality with f...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases
Materials
Siena Marble, Bronze
Planter Marble Red Swedish 19th Century Oval Sarkofag Shape, Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Planter marble red Swedish 19th century oval sarkofag shape, Sweden. A planter or decorative vessel made during the 19th century in Sweden. Made from red ma...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Vases
Materials
Marble
Neoclassical Style Marble and Gilt Bronze Vase by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
Neoclassical style marble and gilt bronze vase by Gherardo Degli Albizzi.
The shape comes from the Greek Kalyx type, quite common in antique, Greece. The vase under the small neck r...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Vases
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Large Glazed Greek Terracotta Vase
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An impressive large Greek style vase, intricately crafted in terracotta and applied with a vibrant treacle glaze. Shaped like a trophy, this mid 19th century urn shares similarities with the marble vase attributed to prominent 2nd century Greek sculptor Sosibios in terms of shape and style, detailed with unique handles shaped like a swans neck. Unlike the Sosibios vase, the heart of this terracotta vase is largely plain showcasing the beautiful tone variation and lustre of the glaze. To the top, the vase is more intricate, detailed with a section of leaves and berries and stands on a socle carved with leaves to match the lower portion of the vase’s body. Thanks to its large scale and beautiful colour, this Greek style terracotta vase makes a striking statement piece placed on a pedestal or at the centre of a large sideboard...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Vases
Materials
Stoneware
Mid-19th Century Silver Vase Owned and Marked by a Jewish Family
Located in New York, NY
A silver vase rested on three stylized legs, decorate with two classical rings surrounding the lower and upper parts. What makes this vase unique however, is the mark that appears at...
Category
Mid-19th Century Polish Antique Neoclassical Vases
Materials
Silver
Pair of Early 20th Century Rudolfstadt Vases
Located in London, GB
A pair of Rudolfstadt Porcelain vases, very much in the Royal Worcester style, hand painted with floral subjects on a duck-egg background; the neck and foot of the vases decorated with bisque and gilt scrolls the necks enhanced by a gilt Florentine scroll.
Category
Early 20th Century German Neoclassical Vases
Materials
Porcelain
Berlin Blue and Gold Vase Mounted as Lamp, circa 1820
Located in New York, NY
Berlin blue and gold vase mounted as lamp, circa 1820.
Category
1820s German Antique Neoclassical Vases
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Westerwald Pottery Vase Neoclassic Lady Figure Very Fine Stoneware
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely Antique Westerwald pottery vase with Neoclassical figure heads
A very decorative stoneware vase in...
Category
20th Century German Neoclassical Vases
Materials
Ceramic
Fine Large 19th Century Fruit Encrusted Schneehallen Vase
Located in London, GB
A continental porcelain vase, entirely encrusted with various fruits and flowers on a white and heavily gilded background.
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Vases
Materials
Porcelain
Porcelain and Gilt Bronze Vase Signed Sèvres, Painted by Lucat, France
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Porcelain and gilt bronze vase signed Sèvres, painted by Lucat, France, late 19th century.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases
Materials
Bronze
George III Silver Lusterware Vase
Located in New York, NY
This elegant vase of attenuated proportions was given an unusual silver-luster glaze, and embellished with two medallions on a military theme. One depicts a young soldier with a swor...
Category
1790s English Antique Neoclassical Vases
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Porcelain, Cloisonné, Marble and Bronze Vases, France, circa 1900
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Pair of porcelain, cloisonné, marble and bronze vases. France, early 20th century.
Category
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Vases
Materials
Marble, Enamel
Pair of Neoclassical Italian Lidded Urns
Located in Pembroke, MA
Pair of elegant 19th century Italian porcelain lidded urns with hand-painted scenes and gilded details. One side of the urns features a neoclassical scene, and the reverse side featu...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Vases
Materials
Porcelain
Onyx, Porcelain, Gilt-Bronze and Cloisonnè Sevres Center, Neoclassical Style
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Onyx, porcelain, gilt bronze and cloisonnè Sevres center. Neoclassical Style. France late 19th century.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases
Materials
Onyx, Bronze
Two Neoclassical Style Russian Cut Glass and Ormolu Vases
Located in London, GB
Two neoclassical style Russian cut glass and ormolu vases,
Russian, 20th century
Dimensions: Height 37cm, width 20cm, depth 13.5cm
Each vase has an ...
Category
20th Century Russian Neoclassical Vases
Materials
Ormolu
Medici-shaped glass vase circa 1950
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Medici-shaped glass vase circa 1950
Category
1950s European Vintage Neoclassical Vases
Materials
Glass
Large Gilt Bronze, Ruby Red and Clear Cut Glass Vase
Located in London, GB
Large gilt bronze, ruby red and clear cut glass vase
French, 20th century
Height 80cm, diameter 36cm
The brightly coloured ruby red glass f...
Category
20th Century French Neoclassical Vases
Materials
Ormolu
Ornate English Porcelain Vase in Shape of Archaic Oil Lamp Vessel
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This ornate porcelain vase is in the shape of an archaic oil lamp. It has double heads and double spouts.
Category
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Vases
Materials
Porcelain
Marble, Gilt-Bronze and Cloisonné Center, Neoclassical Style
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Marble, gilt bronze and cloisonné center, neoclassical style.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Pair of George III Neo Classical Vases by Thomas Pitts I, 1771
Located in London, GB
A very rare and unusual pair of early George III Neo Classical Vases made in London in 1771 by Thomas Pitts I
The vases are modelled in the very r...
Category
18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Vases
Materials
Silver, Sterling Silver
Pair of French 19th Century Neo-Classical St. Patinated Bronze and Marble Tazzas
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome pair of French 19th century neo-classical st. patinated bronze and marble tazzas. Each tazza is raised on a Vert de Patricia marble hexagonal base below the fluted column ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases
Materials
Bronze
Pair of French 19th Century Neoclassical Style ‘Grand Tour’ Vases
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking and high quality pair of French 19th century Neo-Classical st. ‘Grand Tour’, silvered bronze vases. Each is raised by an impressive moulded step black Belgium marble base,...
Category
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases
Materials
Belgian Black Marble, Bronze
Very Impressive Pair of 19th Century Dresden Vases
Located in London, GB
This pair of Dresden or Helena flower encrusted vases are in Meissen style.
The vases have hand painted cartouches after the French court artist...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Vases
Materials
Porcelain
Pair Of French 19th Century Neo-Classical St. Rose Marble And Ormolu Urns
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking and most unique pair of French 19th century Neo-Classical st. Rose Vif des Pyrenées marble and Ormolu urns. Each urn is raised by five handsome Ormolu scrolled paw support...
Category
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Neoclassical vases for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Neoclassical vases for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage vases created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, building and garden elements and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Neoclassical vases made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original vases, popular names associated with this style include Wedgwood, Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres, Ferdinand Barbedienne, and Meissen Porcelain. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for vases differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $90 and tops out at $805,222 while the average work can sell for $3,874.