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.
Wedgwood Blue Jasperware Grapevine Ashtray, England, 1954
By Wedgwood
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
This elegant Wedgwood blue jasperware ashtray is a refined example of mid-century English neoclassical design. Crafted in England and dated 1954, the piece features Wedgwood’s signat...
Ceramic
$1,348Sale Price|25% Off
Bronze Standing Ashtray with Lily Flower Decor
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This standing ashtray is made of brass and bronze with lily flower decor. This is a French work. Circa 1940
Bronze
Rare Christofle Ashtray, in Porcelain, green hand painted, France 1970, signed
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Rare porcelain ashtray signed christofle Paris. With a text written on the back, and an unalterable decoration. This ashtray is in the Neo classic style, green in color with gold tip...
Porcelain
Bronze, Glass and Brass Ashtray on Stand by Maison Baguès
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice and rare neoclassical style standing ashtray is made of bronze, glass and brass. The cut is formed by a laurel wreath and the tripod base with claw feet. On the center...
Brass, Bronze
$316Sale Price|20% Off
English Wedgwood Jasperware Ashtray or Key Holder/Vide Poche
By Wedgwood
Located in Miami, FL
Beautiful English Wedgwood Jasperware ashtray or key holder/vide poche in “Wedgwood Blue” features a repeating motif of white, high relief acanthus ...
Ceramic
Round Ceramic Gold Pheasant Ashtray or Trinket Dish, Yoko Boeki Japan
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A small gold ceramic ashtray or vide poche with a bird motif. A lovely decorative trinket dish or ashtray that will be gorgeous on a side table or dressing table. The porcelain dish ...
Ceramic, Paint
Pair of Mexican Sterling Silver Seashell Ashtrays 60g
Located in Pasadena, TX
This is a fabulous pair of tarnished sterling silver ashtrays. The ashtrays were made in Mexico and are vintage. Weight is 30g each
Sterling Silver
Round Ceramic Pink and Gold Pheasant Ashtray or Trinket Dish, Yoko Boeki Japan
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A small pink and gold ceramic ashtray or vide poche with a bird motif. A lovely decorative trinket dish or ashtray that will be gorgeous on a side table or dressing table. The porcel...
Ceramic, Paint
$389Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 0.4 in Dm 4.41 in
Set of 6 Wedgwood blue and white jasperware bread plates
By Wedgwood
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
Set of 6 Wedgwood jasperware trinket trays, beautiful neoclassical style item decorated with white antique-style scenes. Jasperware, or jas...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Vintage Ashtrays Bavaria Germany Set of Two Hand-Painted Fine Porcelain
By Limoges, Cristalleries De Sevres
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Hand-Painted Square Porcelain Ashtrays Bavaria, Germany. Set of two Bavaria Germany fine porcelain ashtrays with 24 k gilt floral accent and rim. Vintage porcelain ashtrays with Frag...
Porcelain
Molded Crystal de Sevres Cigar Ashtray, Hand-Crafted, France, 1970s
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Molded Crystal de Sevres Cigar Ashtray France, 1970s Large heavy molded crystal ashtray Cristal de Sevres cubic shape cut glass with a modernist design....
Crystal
$394
H 2.76 in Dm 6.7 in
Vintage Murano Glass Ashtray or Trinket Bowl by Avem Attributed to Dino Martens
By Arte Vetraria Muranese (AVEM), Dino Martens
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1950s. It is made in murano glass. It is a vintage piece, therefore it might show slight traces of use, but it can be considered as in perfect original condition and r...
Murano Glass
Sculptural Bronze Ashtray by Oscar Bach
Located in Tarrytown, NY
Sculptural Art Deco bronze ashtray with bird motif by Oscar Bach. Signed.
Bronze
$750
H 2 in W 4.75 in D 4 in
Vintage Piero Fornasetti "Caduceus" Lithograph Gilt Porcelain Green Ashtray
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage celadon/mint green ceramic ashtray/trinket dish with cigarette slots by Piero Fornasetti, (circa 1950s, Italy). Features lithographic tra...
Porcelain
$580
H 1.58 in W 6.3 in D 7.88 in
Limoges Midcentury Hand-Painted by Cevoli White Porcelain French Ashtray, 1980s
By Limoges
Located in Roma, IT
Amazing midcentury Limoges hand-painted white porcelain ashtray. This fantastic piece was hand-painted by Giulia Lucente Cevoli in Italy during the...
Ceramic, Porcelain
Vintage Asian Porcelain Hand Painted Black Floral Ashtray China
By Limoges
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Asian porcelain hand painted floral ashtray hand made in China. This gorgeous gilded ashtray is intricately hand-painted with Asian fl...
Porcelain
Wedgwood blue and white jasperware jewelry tray
By Wedgwood
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
A fine Wedgwood jasperware jewelry tray, beautiful neoclassical style item decorated with white antique-style scenes and an elegant laurels...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Vallauris Green Ceramic Ashtray, Hand-Painted, France 1950
By Vallauris
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vallauris Green Ceramic Ashtray, Dish France 1950. Small french glazed ceramic dish with abstract design, signed Vallauris to base. Beautiful green glazed ceramic ashtray with colorful abstract design manufactured by Vallauris. This ashtray was handcrafted in France in the 1950's. Hand painted in purple green and yellow glazed ceramic on a dark olive green background. Use it as an ashtray or catchall, useful as jewelry bowl or vide-poche. Signed Vallauris at the bottom. Overall dimensions: 6.5 in x 6 in x 1.75 in height. About Vallauris. Vallauris Golfe Juan is a tourist town of the French Riviera near Antibes known as the "city of 100 potters". Its name (Valauria in Provencal) means "the golden valley...
Ceramic
Solid Brass Ashtray
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Solid round brass ashtray. This piece features two deep wells separated by comb like notches down the middle of the ashtray. Dimensions 7" diameter x 1.5" height. Condition Excelle...
Brass
Vintage etched bell shaped Ashtray Trinket Disk
Located in Seattle, WA
Possibly brass. Believed to be an Indian origin. Vintage Condition as pictured. Listing is for described item only. Box H3 Dimensions. 6.25” W ; 4” D ; 1” H
Metal
Sold
H 25.4 in W 6.5 in D 6.5 in
Neoclassical Style Bronze and Brass Ashtray on a Circular Black Marble Base
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This nice neoclassical style ashtray is made of bronze and brass on a circular black marble base. This is a French work in the style of Maison Jansen. Circa 1940
Marble, Brass, Bronze
Early 20th C Sterling Silver Golf Themed Cigar Ashtray by Unger Bros. New Jersey
Located in San Francisco, CA
An early 20th C Golf themed, sterling silver, cigar ashtray by Unger Bros. New Jersey. Featuring an African American caddy with a bag on the course. Two clubs fixed across the lower...
Sterling Silver
Sold
H 1.25 in W 8.75 in D 7.25 in
Rare Pair of Large Bronze Mounted Baccarat (Atrb) Ash/Cigar Trays, Circa 1950s
By Baccarat
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Rare Pair of Large Bronze-Mounted Baccarat (Attributed) Cut Crystal Ash/Cigar Trays, Circa 1950s A finely crafted and impressively weighted pair of mid-century bronze-mounted cut cr...
Crystal, Bronze
Vintage Square Glass Sailing Motif Etched Cigar Ashtray
By Lalique
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A large vintage glass cigar ashtray with an etched sailing motif. This nautical catchall will be great on a coffee table or side table. Fil...
Glass
Neoclassical Style Bronze Ashtray in the style of Maison Jansen
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This nice neoclassical style ashtray is made of bronze. This is a French work in the style of Maison Jansen. Circa 1940
Bronze
Sold
H 1 in W 2.5 in D 2.25 in
Pair Italian Neoclassic Ormolu & Blue Opaline Diminutive Ashtrays/ Portacenere
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Italian Neoclassic Ormolu and Blue Opaline Diminutive Ashtrays/Portacenere Italy, circa 1950s A luxurious pair of Italian Neoclassic Ormolu and Blue Opaline Diminutive Ashtr...
Ormolu
Glamorous Large Marble Ashtray with Neoclassical Roman Gilt Metal Decoration
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Super stylish round marble ashtray having Neoclassical Roman motif decoration in gilt metal around the periphery. Great resting spot for your keys!
Marble, Metal
Baccarat Crystal Ashtray
By Baccarat
Located in Mérida, YU
This ashtray features the distinctive signs of style: a hexagonal form and flat cuts, giving it timelessness and functionality. Harcourt This is an iconic Baccarat piece. Bring eleg...
Crystal
Daum Green Bubble Crystal Ashtray
By Daum
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Round glass ashtray or catchall by Daum House which started in 1878 in Nancy, France. This piece, created in the mid 20th century, has an all over ...
Crystal
Sold
H 1.5 in W 7.49 in D 6.11 in
Hermes Ashtray or Vide-Poche Catchall in the Neoclassical Botanical Style
By Hermès
Located in London, GB
Hermes ashtray or vide-poche Catchall in the botanical style, featuring stylised depiction of ferns and leaves in outline form. With a gilt edge and gem coloured green border. In goo...
Porcelain
Traditional Ceramic Equine Horse Ashtray in Brown and Gold
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
An equine horse motif ashtray. It's the perfect addition to any traditional design lover's home. This piece is created from ceramic and is kidney-shaped. ...
Ceramic
French Green Opaline Ormolu Mounted Ashtray
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
French green Opaline ormolu mounted ashtray, beautiful color, raised on four paw feet.
Ormolu