Neoclassical Porcelain
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
Villeroy & Boch Mettlach Phanolith Porcelain Charger in Neoclassical Style
Located in New York, NY
Villeroy & Boch Mettlach charger in Phanolith porcelain (similar to Jasperware) depicting a Greco-Roman goddess and attendants in white porcelain on a...
Category
Early 20th Century German Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Figure representing Matrimony, Bow Porcelain Factory, circa 1750
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
An attractive allegorical figure of Matrimony, reprsented by a woman in her best clothing, holding a cage.
The Bow Porcelain factory was the first English porcelain producer; these ...
Category
Mid-18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Rare 19th Century Tucker and Hemphill American Porcelain Trumpet Vase, 1830s
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine and rare early 19th century Tucker and Hemphill porcelain vase.
The vase is decorated with a gilt shield device surrounded by leaf and branch and ribbon decoration. (Also, ...
Category
1830s American Antique Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Royal Copenhagen Flora Danica Pierced Dinner Plate with Fruit Motif Plum
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Royal Copenhagen Flora Danica pierced dinner plate with fruit motif plum.
Number 429/3584.
Measures: 25.5 cm. in diameter.
First factory qua...
Category
20th Century Danish Neoclassical Porcelain
19th Century Old Paris Topographical Coffee Pot, Now as a Lamp
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th century Old Paris topographical coffee pot, now as a lamp
One side depicting a view of the of the Palais Royal the other side shows a view of the L’Arc Porte Saint- Denis, rais...
Category
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain, Giltwood
Royal Copenhagen Flora Danica sauce boat on a pedestal with a leaf-shaped handle
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Royal Copenhagen Flora Danica sauce boat on a pedestal with a leaf-shaped handle.
24-karat gold decoration.
Dating: 1967.
Model 20/3556.
Perfect condition.
First factory quality.
Mar...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Old Paris Porcelain Vase Painted with Seascape and a Woman and Man on a Row Boat
By Old Paris
Located in Boston, MA
I want to offer you this fabulous Old Paris porcelain vase. This vase is hand painted on both of its sides with different beautiful paintings. One side has a detailed painting of a seascape with people on the shoreline and buildings and boats in the background. The other side is painted with a woman and a man from this town on row boats with a lightning storm...
Category
1880s French Antique Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Caughley Dish, Harlequin Pattern in Style of Donegall Service, ca 1793
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful and intriguing porcelain dish made by Caughley and decorated at Chamberlains Worcester in or shortly after 1793. The dish has a "harlequin" pattern with six diffe...
Category
1790s English Antique Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Exceptional 19th C Neoclassical Sevres Style Porcelain Bronze Vase with Cover
Located in New York, NY
An exceptionally painted, gilt and enameled 19th century French porcelain vase in the neoclassical Sevres style raised on bronze base, distinguished by its vivid and finely painted c...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Bronze
19th Century, Old Paris Neoclassical Cup & Saucer Set Young Man w/ Dog
Located in Atlanta, GA
This exquisite 19th-century Neoclassical cup and saucer set represents the epitome of fine French porcelain craftsmanship, capturing the elegance and grace of an era that revered cla...
Category
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Meissen Hand Painted Porcelain Figurine Of A Greek Mythology’s Muse
Located in Guaynabo, PR
A Meissen Porcelain Greek Mythology’s Muse figurine playing the Lute. She can be Erato, the muse of lyric poetry, particularly erotic poetry and mimic imitation. It depicts a lady dr...
Category
Early 20th Century German Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Wedgwood Green Dip Tricolor Snake Handled Vase
By Wedgwood
Located in New Orleans, LA
Tricolor jasperware was one of Wedgwood’s most celebrated innovations, and this exquisitely rare vase is an extraordinary example of this wondrous ...
Category
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Ceramic, Porcelain
Set of Twelve Meissen Porcelain Plates with Putti and Heavenly Scenes
Located in New York, NY
A fabulous and pristine set of twelve neoclassical style 19th century Meissen Porcelain plates hand painted with putti, fruit, garland, and heavenly scenes. The center of each plate ...
Category
1860s German Antique Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Rare and Antique Royal Copenhagen Blue Fluted Large Round Platter, 19th Century
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Rare and antique Royal Copenhagen blue fluted large round platter.
19 century.
Measures: Height 4 cm, diameter 30 cm.
Good condition.
Factory 1...
Category
Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Neoclassical Porcelain
Antique German Porcelain Twelve Piece Dessert Service
Located in London, GB
Antique German porcelain twelve piece dessert service
German, c. 1880
Measures: Seven flat plates: Height 2cm, diameter 22cm
Four raised plates: Height 6.5cm, diameter 25cm
Large...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Early 19c English Regency Coalport Porcelain Neoclassical Serving Tray
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique neoclassical porcelain serving tray.
By Coalport.
Painted en grisaille with classical medallions reserved against a gilt-vermicule ground. The border having a sa...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
19th Century Jasperware Cheese Plate
Located in Dublin 8, IE
Heavy Wedgewood cobalt blue Jasperware cheese plate with dome.
The applied white bas relief depicts classical figural scenes with foliate motif against...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Set of Three Early 19th Century Wedgwood Creamware Pattern No. 892 Serving Bowls
By Wedgwood
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A rare group of wedgwood creamware bowls.
In the neoclassical pattern no. 892 with a cobalt blue and gold border.
Diameters: just under 9 in., just over 8 3/4 in., and just ove...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Creamware
Wedgwood 'Dancing Hours' Black Jasper Centrepiece Bowl
By Wedgwood
Located in Brisbane, QLD
A fine black jasper-ware bowl crafted by Wedgwood in a design known as the 'Dancing Hours'. The black basalt wash over white jasper piece dates to the 1950s and has been handmade in ...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Ceramic
Signed Pair Gilded Mintons Pate-Sur-Pate Caged Putti Footed Moon Flask Vases
By Minton
Located in Cincinnati, OH
This charming pair of gilded olive brown Mintons pâte-sur-pâte footed moon flask vases feature a romantic caged putto motif executed in white slip on a bla...
Category
1890s English Antique Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Set of Three Porcelain Tazze by Royal Vienna
Located in London, GB
Set of three porcelain tazze by Royal Vienna
Austrian, early 20th century
Larger tazza: Height 15cm, diameter 34cm
Smaller tazze: Height 9cm, diameter 3...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Early and Rare Royal Copenhagen Large Oval Dish in Museum Quality
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Early and rare Royal Copenhagen large oval dish in museum quality. Early 19th century.
Measures: 44 x 36 x 6 cm.
In very good condition.
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
12 Royal Doulton "Powder Blue" W/ Raised Gold Dinner Plates
Located in Great Barrington, MA
These aren't the typical set of dinner plates from Royal Doulton. This set of 12 are decorated with thick raised paste gold over a "lapis lazuli" type of decoration which distinguish...
Category
Early 20th Century British Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Royal Copenhagen Flora Danica. Pair of obelisks for table decoration. Ca 1910s
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Royal Copenhagen Flora Danica.
A pair of porcelain obelisks for table decoration.
Putti surrounded by garlands, budding flowers.
24-karat gold leaf decoration.
Royal monograms 1884-...
Category
Early 20th Century Danish Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Figure, Mercury, Bow Porcelain, circa 1748
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
He wears a winged helmet and sandals, a loosely draped pink, white, and yellow washed cloak over a short tunic, and leans arrogantly against bales, his message sack over his left sho...
Category
Mid-18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Five Sets of Royal Copenhagen Blue Flower Angular, Espresso Cups ‘Mocca Cups’
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Five sets of Royal Copenhagen blue flower angular, espresso cups (mocca cups).
Decoration number 10/8562.
The cup's diameter is 7.3 cm.
Perfect condition. 1st. factory quality.
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Neoclassical Porcelain
A Rare 18th Century Meissen Porcelain Marcolini Period Watteau Covered Potpourri
Located in New York, NY
A Rare 18th Century Meissen Porcelain Marcolini Period Watteau Covered Potpourri. This rare Meissen porcelain potpourri vase, dating ...
Category
1770s German Antique Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Royal Crown Derby Ceramic Pheasant Bird Saucer or Vide Poche, England
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A lovely Royal Crown Derby saucer plate with a bird pattern and gold rim. Great for use at a dinner table, or as a small vide poche.
Marked at bottom:
Royal Crown Derby
Made i...
Category
20th Century English Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Minton Ca 1866 Dessert Set Hand Painted Birds Turquoise with Cameo Reserves
By Minton
Located in Great Barrington, MA
A rare and exceptional 19th century Minton dessert service featuring hand painted ornithological subjects hand painted in the neoclassical perio...
Category
1860s English Antique Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Set of 12 Coalport Cobalt Blue & French Enamel Dinner Plates
Located in Great Barrington, MA
A beautiful set of 12 Coalport dinner plates with subtly shaped rims and acid-etched gold borders. The distinctive deep blue enamel ground is con...
Category
Early 20th Century British Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Paste, Porcelain
Porcelain of Mice and Vase 'Fraureuth'
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Porcelain of mice and vase
origin Germany circa 1900
Fraureuth-kunstabteilung
perfect state.
Category
Early 1900s German Antique Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Meissen Legume Dishes from the Marcolini Period, 18th Century
Located in Milano, IT
An elegant and rare pair of Meissen serving dishes from the Marcolini period. The pair of legume dishes is made of the finest porcelain. Under each saucer we find the Meissen manufac...
Category
Early 1800s German Antique Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Flower Encrusted Tete a Tete 'Tea for Two'
Located in London, GB
The service comprising of two cups and saucers, milk jug, sugar pot and lid and a tea/coffeepot.
The design stems from the service made for Frederik II of Prussia.
Category
Early 20th Century German Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Meissen Charger with Decoration a Flower Bunches, Marcolini Period Ca. 1800
Located in CH
Meissen charger with decoration a flower Bunches, Marcolini period Ca. 1800
This large Meissen Charger is decorated with a stylized bouquets of flower...
Category
1790s German Antique Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Porcelain Vases, France, Late 19th Century
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Pair of porcelain vases, France, late 19th century.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Saxe Porcelain Jardinière. Germany, Late 19th Century
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Saxe porcelain jardinière. Germany, late 19th century.
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
19th Century German Meissen painted porcelain plaque
Located in London, GB
19th Century German Meissen painted porcelain plaque
German, 19th Century
Height 11cm, width 13.5cm, depth 1cm
This charming painted porcelain plaque d...
Category
19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Metal
20th Century Porcelain Capodimonte Ornamental Urn or Jar
Located in Miami, FL
20th century porcelain Capodimonte ornamental urn or jar.
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Ceramic
Italian 19th Century Ginori Glazed and Parcel Gilt Porcelain Armorial Vase
By Carlo Ginori
Located in Firenze, IT
This truly exceptional and rare antique early 19th century Ginori two handles hand-painted porcelain vase is inspired by those that the Medici, Florence's ruling family during the Renaissance, used to put in their homes, gardens and courtyards.
The white porcelain background is richly decorated in the round with royal blue and 24-karat parcel-gilt details throughout. A large, completely gilded band decorates the upper and lower part of the vase that features two white and gold fluted handles each with two gold men’s masks finals that join the body of the vase.
Two multicolored hand painted coats of arms of a noble Italian family featuring an armor with red, rose, green and yellow feathers and a rampant lion are painted at the very centre among the gold painted foliage both framed by an oval gilt band.
The gilding on this stunning neoclassical centrepiece...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Antique French Sevres Style Porcelain and Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
The combination of sumptuous, lustrous ormolu and finely decorated Sevres style porcelain makes this mantel clock an exceptional piece. Built in France and retailed by the prestigiou...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Fortune Teller Figure. Bow Porcelain C1750
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
A young woman standing with the remains of a staff in her left hand, and in apparent apprehension as her future and fortune is being read by an exotic, enigmatic, bearded figure, app...
Category
Mid-18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Porcelain and Gilt Bronze Vase Signed Sèvres, France, Late 19th Century
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Porcelain and gilt bronze vase signed Sèvres, France, late 19th century.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Royal Vienna Porcelain Iridescent Pink Vases with Neoclassical Scenes
Located in New York, NY
A pair of 19th century Louis XVI Style Royal Vienna Porcelain Iridescent pink vases with neoclassical scenes. Of rounded form these covered vases are spectacular. Each has a particul...
Category
19th Century Austrian Antique Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
12 Cauldon Hand Painted Signed G Rowley Ornate Exotic Bird & Floral Desserts
Located in Great Barrington, MA
Turquoise is in! This set of 12 hand painted and artist signed dessert plates are presented with a piecrust border, trimmed in gold and highlighted with a band of turquoise enamel. T...
Category
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of 19th Century Paris Vase
By Old Paris
Located in London, GB
A lovely pair of bulbous-shaped Continental porcelain vases and covers. the central parts hand-decorated with cartouches of Eastern-style courting and flower scenes, the necks sporti...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Mid-19th Century French Porcelain Urn as a Table Lamp
By Jean Gille
Located in Mt Kisco, NY
A decorative bisque porcelain urn marked by Jean Gille of Paris, France with a raised blue J over G, dating from 1840-1868. Now converted to a two socket table lamp...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
12 Royal Crown Derby Cobalt Blue Neoclassical Dessert Plates
Located in Great Barrington, MA
An unusual set of 12 Royal Crown Derby dessert plates featuring an elegant and restrained central subject of subtly different urns wit...
Category
Early 20th Century British Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain, Paste
Antique Porcelain and Ormolu Gueridon Table
Located in London, GB
This delicately detailed circular gueridon table is crafted of ormolu, and features a very fine hand painted porcelain top. The porcelain top is decorated with flowers in circular pa...
Category
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Ormolu
Circa 1780-1810 Chinese Export Porcelain Platter
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1780-1810 Chinese export porcelain platter. The center & conforming border feature gilded sepia ground flowers with famille rose vines & dotted rose & blue flowers. Made for th...
Category
Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Large Italian Capodimonte Porcelain Center Bowl, Cherubs Scene in Relief, 20th C
By Capodimonte
Located in Big Flats, NY
An oversized Italian Capodimonte center bowl offers cherub garden scenes in relief with gilt highlights throughout, 20th century
Measures - 3.75''H X 16.75''W X 16.75''D.
Catalogu...
Category
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Rare 'Hope Service' Plate 18th Century Flight Worcester
Located in Brisbane, QLD
The Hope Service was designed and created by the Royal Flight Worcester Company, commissioned by the Duke of Clarence and St Andrews (later King William I...
Category
1780s English Antique Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Figure, Sportsman Toper, Bow Porcelain Factory, circa 1751
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
Probably an early prototype, the largely open base showing an apparently unique structure described by Watney as ‘a favourite primitive buttressed by a strong overall cone-shape and further strengthened by a cut-out additional layer inside the base in the manner of pastry making.’ (Freeman Collection, Forward, 1982).
Toper is an old English word for a drunk.
Annulet Mark.
Prov: Taylor Coll, Albert Amor...
Category
Mid-18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Large Dish, Chelsea, circa 1755
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
A large platter, probably once associated with tureen. Beautiful flower painting, possible done outside the factory at the Giles studio in London, or perhaps at the Chelsea studio by a painter who had previously worked there. The tulip, heartease, and others look very Giles.
One of the most distinctive features of Chelsea porcelain is its intricate floral painting, which often featured detailed, lifelike renditions of flowers and other botanical subjects. The factory employed skilled artists who were trained in the art of flower...
Category
Mid-18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Tea Bowl & Saucer, Peacock Decoration, Chelsea, circa 1765
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
A tea-bowl and saucer from Chelsea's Gold Anchor period. Richly decorated in purple, pink and green then lavishly gilded, the gilding being chased as well. It is possible the decorat...
Category
Mid-18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Shell Sweetmeat Stand, Bow Porcelain, circa 1750
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
Three-tiered stand for sweetmeats, in the form of shells and coral, and enameled with flowers; it is rare to find these in such good condition. Probably from a large dessert service.
These stands were popular in the Georgian period and were made by most of the porcelain factories. Many were modelled by a man named Tebo, who went from factory to factory creating these stands. He appears to have used real shells...
Category
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Tea Cup & Saucer, Saint Cloud, circa 1730
By Saint Cloud
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
Both cup and saucer with moulded reeding and decorated in underglaze blue with scrolled lambrequin borders.
Saint Cloud porcelain is a type of soft-paste porcelain produced in the French town of Saint Cloud from the late 17th century to the mid-18th century. It was one of the earliest European attempts to produce porcelain and is known for its delicate, pale blue-gray glaze and simple, elegant designs.
The history of Saint Cloud porcelain can be traced back to the late 17th century when a group of Flemish potters settled in the town of Saint Cloud, which was then a royal estate...
Category
Early 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Oval Dish, Chantilly, circa 1770
By Chantilly
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
Underplate from a tureen or similar; decorated with simple cobalt decoration.
The history of Chantilly porcelain can be traced back to around 17...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Set Four Antique English Dishes Made By Coalport Hand-Painted Circa 1810
Located in Katonah, NY
These four exquisite Coalport "Church Gresley" pattern dishes are decorated with black trapezoids, pink roses, cornflower sprigs, and fabulous gilding!
In our opinion, the exceptiona...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Neoclassical porcelain for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Neoclassical porcelain for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage porcelain created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, decorative objects, lighting and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, porcelain and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Neoclassical porcelain made in a specific country, there are Europe, United Kingdom, and England pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original porcelain, popular names associated with this style include Bow Porcelain, Meissen Porcelain, Chelsea Porcelain, and Minton. 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 porcelain differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $45 and tops out at $316,032 while the average work can sell for $1,850.