Neoclassical Centerpieces
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 Belgian Neoclassical Centerpieces
Crystal
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Centerpieces
Faience
20th Century Belgian Neoclassical Centerpieces
Crystal
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Centerpieces
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Centerpieces
Pottery
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Centerpieces
Crystal, Bronze
20th Century Russian Neoclassical Centerpieces
Stone, Malachite
Late 18th Century German Antique Neoclassical Centerpieces
Porcelain
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Centerpieces
Crystal, Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Centerpieces
Crystal
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Centerpieces
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Czech Neoclassical Centerpieces
Art Glass
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Centerpieces
Pewter
20th Century French Neoclassical Centerpieces
Ormolu
1990s Neoclassical Centerpieces
Marble, Brass
Late 19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Centerpieces
Porcelain
1770s English Antique Neoclassical Centerpieces
Sterling Silver
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Centerpieces
Crystal, Ormolu
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Centerpieces
Silver Plate
19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Centerpieces
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Centerpieces
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Centerpieces
Sterling Silver
20th Century French Neoclassical Centerpieces
Crystal, Bronze
1920s Belgian Vintage Neoclassical Centerpieces
Silver, Brass
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Centerpieces
Porcelain
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Centerpieces
Carrara Marble, Bronze
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Centerpieces
Silver Plate
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Centerpieces
Brass
Early 20th Century Austrian Neoclassical Centerpieces
Porcelain
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Centerpieces
Crystal, Bronze
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Centerpieces
Marble, Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Centerpieces
Ormolu
1870s German Antique Neoclassical Centerpieces
Porcelain
1930s French Vintage Neoclassical Centerpieces
Crystal, Bronze
1870s Spanish Antique Neoclassical Centerpieces
Silver
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Centerpieces
Ormolu
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Centerpieces
Marble
1790s English Antique Neoclassical Centerpieces
Sterling Silver
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Centerpieces
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Centerpieces
Glass
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Centerpieces
Crystal, Ormolu
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Centerpieces
Majolica
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Centerpieces
Art Glass
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Centerpieces
Sterling Silver
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Centerpieces
Ceramic
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Centerpieces
Ceramic
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Centerpieces
Porcelain
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Centerpieces
Crystal, Ormolu
20th Century French Neoclassical Centerpieces
Alabaster, Bronze
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Centerpieces
Glass
19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Centerpieces
Porcelain
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Centerpieces
Ormolu, Bronze
20th Century French Neoclassical Centerpieces
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Centerpieces
Sterling Silver
1910s German Vintage Neoclassical Centerpieces
Sterling Silver
1890s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Centerpieces
Silver
19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Centerpieces
Silver
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Centerpieces
Bronze