Neoclassical Dinner Plates
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 1900s British Antique Neoclassical Dinner Plates
Gold
20th Century English Neoclassical Dinner Plates
Porcelain
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Dinner Plates
Porcelain
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Dinner Plates
Porcelain
Mid-19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Dinner Plates
Porcelain
1860s English Antique Neoclassical Dinner Plates
Porcelain
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Dinner Plates
Creamware
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Dinner Plates
Porcelain
Early 20th Century German Neoclassical Dinner Plates
Porcelain
Early 19th Century Swiss Antique Neoclassical Dinner Plates
Porcelain
1990s English Neoclassical Dinner Plates
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Dinner Plates
Porcelain
1910s English Vintage Neoclassical Dinner Plates
Porcelain
20th Century Danish Neoclassical Dinner Plates
Porcelain
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Dinner Plates
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Japanese Neoclassical Dinner Plates
Porcelain
1810s English Antique Neoclassical Dinner Plates
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century English Neoclassical Dinner Plates
Gold
1920s German Vintage Neoclassical Dinner Plates
Porcelain
1980s English Vintage Neoclassical Dinner Plates
Porcelain
20th Century English Neoclassical Dinner Plates
Porcelain
Early 1900s British Antique Neoclassical Dinner Plates
Gold, Enamel
Early 1900s British Antique Neoclassical Dinner Plates
Gold, Enamel
20th Century English Neoclassical Dinner Plates
Porcelain
20th Century American Neoclassical Dinner Plates
Pottery, Pearlware
Early 2000s Sri Lankan Neoclassical Dinner Plates
Ceramic
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Dinner Plates
Porcelain
Late 18th Century British Antique Neoclassical Dinner Plates
Creamware
1810s English Antique Neoclassical Dinner Plates
Porcelain
Early 1800s British Antique Neoclassical Dinner Plates
Pearlware
1810s English Antique Neoclassical Dinner Plates
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Belgian Neoclassical Dinner Plates
Crystal
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Dinner Plates
Creamware
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Dinner Plates
Porcelain
1890s English Antique Neoclassical Dinner Plates
Porcelain
1990s Sri Lankan Neoclassical Dinner Plates
Porcelain
1910s English Vintage Neoclassical Dinner Plates
Porcelain
20th Century English Neoclassical Dinner Plates
Porcelain
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Dinner Plates
Pearlware, Pottery
Early 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Dinner Plates
Pottery, Pearlware
Mid-19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Dinner Plates
Ironstone
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Dinner Plates
Earthenware
Early 1900s English Antique Neoclassical Dinner Plates
Gold Plate
1910s English Vintage Neoclassical Dinner Plates
Porcelain
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Dinner Plates
Earthenware, Creamware
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Dinner Plates
Creamware
20th Century American Neoclassical Dinner Plates
Porcelain
1860s German Antique Neoclassical Dinner Plates
Porcelain
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Dinner Plates
Pearlware, Pottery
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Dinner Plates
Creamware
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Dinner Plates
Creamware
Late 19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Dinner Plates
Porcelain
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Dinner Plates
Creamware
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Dinner Plates
Creamware
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Dinner Plates
Creamware
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Dinner Plates
Creamware
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Dinner Plates
Creamware
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Dinner Plates
Creamware