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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
19th Century Biscuit Statuette Young Woman with Flowers
Located in Paris, FR
19th century biscuit porcelain figurine featuring a young woman holding a bunch of flowers in her skirt. This figurine is representative of ...
Category

19th Century French 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

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

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

Old Paris Porcelain Vase Painted with Seascape and a Woman and Man on a Row Boat
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 s...
Category

1880s French 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

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

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 20th C John Tams Ltd Porcelain Vase of Telemachus Interceding for Phemius
Located in Troy, MI
Rare circa 1920s English vase by John Tams Ltd depicting scene from Odyssey of Telemachus interceding for Phemius. Black matte glaze with colorful decoration of the three figures. Go...
Category

Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Botanical Plate, Bow Porcelain Factory, circa 1755
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
A fine octagonal plate painted in the botanical style; possibly the yellow gloriosa climbing lily. Provenance: Taylor Collection; Robyn Robb 2003. Filled edge chips.  
Category

Mid-18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Large Dresden Ornamental Vase in Hand Painted Porcelain with Classicist Scenes
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Large Dresden ornamental vase in hand painted porcelain with classicist scenes and handles in the shape of winged female figures. 19th century. Measures: 42.5 x 24 cm. In excellen...
Category

19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Dresden Porcelain Reticulated Fruit Basket and Stand by Adolf Hamann
By Adolf Hamann, Dresden Porcelain
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A delicate and intricately worked antique Dresden Porcelain Fruit Basket and Underplate. The form is rare and a technical tour de force. Few of ...
Category

Late 19th Century German 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

Pair of Meissen Porcelain Vases with Snake Handles
Located in Pembroke, MA
A highly-decorative pair of yellow porcelain vases, hand-painted with detailed central romantic scene, and having snake-form handles (Me...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

KPM Porcelain Pair of Peas
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
KPM porcelain pair of peas Antique porcelain origin Germany Circa 1900 perfect condition Floral motifs with angels (puttos) and grapes.
Category

Early 1900s 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

Italy Richard Ginori Doccia 19th Century Porcelain Covered Vase with Landscape
Located in Brescia, IT
This glamorous covered vase or urn, it is painted with natural landscapes. The drawings are so detailed that we can say done in Flemish style. We can see a landscape with houses and ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Italian 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

Conical form Teapot, Chelsea, circa 1755
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
An unusual shape, which looks impractical and yet the lid is surprisingly stable when the pot is tilted. The usual superb flower painting for this period. See McKenna, Red Anchor ...
Category

Mid-18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Porcelain Allegorical Figures by Aelteste Volkstedter Pozellanfabrik
Located in Barntrup, DE
A pair of porcelain allegorical figures of neoclassical style ladies, on scroll-molded bases by Aelteste Volkstedter Porzellanfabrik Triebner & Co....
Category

Late 19th Century German 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

26 Sets Royal Copenhagen Blue Flower Braided, Espresso Cup and Saucer
Located in Copenhagen, DK
26 sets Royal Copenhagen Blue flower braided, espresso cup and saucer. Number 10/8046. In perfect condition, 2nd. factory quality. Measures: 6.5 x 5.5 cm.
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Neoclassical Porcelain

Pair of Worcester Marbled Plates with Flowers Made in England Circa 1810
Located in Katonah, NY
We are delighted to present this pair of Worcester plates with bright hand-painted flowers set against a dark purple ground in the center of each plate. Made circa 1810 they show fre...
Category

1810s English Antique Neoclassical Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Dated Crowther Plate, Bow Porcelain Factory, 1770
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
The so-called ‘Crowther Plate’ dated January 1770: Octagonal, painted in blue underglaze with the monogram ‘RC’ in a floral cartouche and with elaborate scroll, pendant and cell a...
Category

1770s 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

Rare Porcelain Advertising Ware Table Lamp, Baltimore, circa 1840s
Located in Peabody, MA
A rare porcelain bottle (circa 1840-1850) hand painted with images of stock (jugs, pitchers, tureens and whale oil lamps) sold by the C. Levering Co. of Baltimore, and mounted as a t...
Category

1840s American Antique Neoclassical Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Bird Plates, Chelsea, circa 1755
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
A pair of scalloped dessert plates, painted with bunches and sprays of flowers, with attractive naturalistic birds arranged around the outside. Red anchor mark.  
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

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

Doccia White Porcelain Caryatid Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
Doccia white porcelain caryatid sculpture. A Doccia neoclassical model of a caryatid with one hand outstretched. Italy, circa 1770s Dimension: 2" ...
Category

1770s Italian Antique Neoclassical Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Neoclassical White Porcelain Salt Dish
Located in New York, NY
Neoclassical white porcelain salt dish. A fine transitional Louis XVI Wallendorf white porcelain salt in perfect condition, Germany, circa 1780. Dimension: 4...
Category

Late 18th Century German Antique Neoclassical Porcelain

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 Porcelain

Materials

Bronze

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

19th Century Russian Gilt Porcelain Centrepiece by Popov Manufactory
Located in London, GB
This exquisite centrepiece was crafted in porcelain and gilt by the Russian Popov Manufactory. The centerpiece is of bowl-form, and is crafted in white porcelain which is pierced wit...
Category

19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Dessert Dish, Worcester, circa 1770
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
A dessert dish, in the shape of a shell, and decorated in the Sevres manner.
Category

Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Early and Rare Royal Copenhagen Round Dish of Museum Quality, Early 19th Century
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Early and rare Royal Copenhagen round dish of museum quality, early 19th century. Measures: 34 x 6 cm. In good condition. Small chip on the bottom rim. Stamped. Painter number 3.
Category

Early 19th Century Danish Antique Neoclassical Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Small White Dolphin Bowls
Located in New York, NY
Pair of small white dolphin bowls. Pair of antique Italian creamware miniature monteith bowls / bud vases supported on tripod dolphin legs on conforming stepped circular base; Giusti...
Category

Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

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

Rare Pair of 19th Century Trumpet Vases
Located in London, GB
An extremely unusual pair of Paris porcelain trumpet-shaped vases in the C18 Mogul Indian style, hand-decorated with exotic birds in trees and foliage, the body sitting on porcelain ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Sèvres-Style Porcelain Pedestal
Located in New Orleans, LA
This pedestal exhibits the style and grace of the famed Sèvres porcelain manufactory. Its lustrous deep blue porcelain base is Classic Sèvres in style, and it provides the perfect ba...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Porcelain

Materials

Bronze

Set of 12 Royal Worcester Cream & Multicolored Enamel & Gold Dinner Plates
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This lovely set of 12 Royal Worcester dinner plates have a warm, soft "earthy" colored enamel decoration highlighted in gold. The colors of seafoam green, salmon, sky blue and ivory ...
Category

1920s English Vintage 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

Bronze, Ormolu

Minton for Tiffany Complete Dinner Service for 12 Caramel, White & Raised Gold
Located in Great Barrington, MA
As we approach the holiday season, this complete Minton for Tiffany dinner service for 12 will work with many decorating themes to dress up any even...
Category

Mid-20th Century English 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

Doctor, from the Commedia Dell'arte, Bow Porcelain, circa 1752
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
Il Dottore from the Commedia dell’Arte, in the white. He stands in an histrionic pose against a tree stump and wears a high brimmed hat (presumably a black academic bonnet), long-buttoned coat over frilled cuffs, falling jabeaux, breeches, boots and a cloak; his right hand on hip, his left arm and hand raised. Slightly grey-white porcelain; even, unctuous glaze. Straw translucency. Underside wiped; air hole at centre. Square hole at rear for mount. Measure: H 6.3 in (16 cm). Provenance: Taylor Collection, from Stockspring Antiques, London, 1998. The Miss G...
Category

Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Commemorative Jug: George II. Worcester, circa 1759
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
An unusual print, sometimes seen on mugs; exceptionally rare to find it on a jug. King George II died in 1760, and so any Worcester commemoratives of him are scarce. The print commem...
Category

Mid-18th Century English 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

Set of Three Early 19th Century Wedgwood Creamware Pattern No. 892 Serving Bowls
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

Mongrammed RR Landscape Coffee Can, Chamberlain Worcester, circa 1810
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
An attractive coffee can, painted with a very fine landscape, and marked with the initials RR.
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Royal Copenhagen Huge "Purpur" Serving Plate
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Royal Copenhagen huge "Purpur" serving plate. Measures 48 x 37 cm. Number 427/8541. Year 1870-1890. In perfect condition. 1st. factory quality.
Category

1870s Danish Antique Neoclassical Porcelain

Pair of figures: Jupiter and Juno, or Zeus and Hera. Bow Porcelain C1752
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
She stands barefoot, wearing a long-sleeved robe in white, deep pink and washed pale yellow and partly edged with gold; a red and gilt-topped sceptre in her right hand, an outsize pe...
Category

1750s English Antique Neoclassical Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Cherub Candlestick, in the White, Bow Porcelain Factory, circa 1750
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
This example illustrated Tilley 1957, Pl. LXVII, #203 who, p.127, also draws attention to the similarity of the modelling of the figure and the Bow Mongolian busts, and their similar...
Category

Mid-18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

12 Royal Crown Derby Neoclassical Dinner Plates with Profuse Raised Paste Gold
Located in Great Barrington, MA
There is great and then there is magnificent and these plates made by Royal Crown Derby qualify as magnificent! This set of 12 dinner plates exhibit all of the characteristics of the...
Category

Early 1900s English Antique Neoclassical Porcelain

Materials

Gold

Double-Handled Sauce Boat, Chantilly, circa 1770
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
A double-handled sauce boat, with simple cobalt decoration.
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Early Bow Porcelain Pickle Dish, circa 1748
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
In the early ‘mushroom grey’ body, probably made by hand; decorated with some very good flower painting. Provenance: Taylor Collection; Simon Spero 2007.  
Category

Mid-18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Tankard with Printed Decoration, Bow Porcelain Factory, circa 1758
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
Pint mug, in baluster form, decorated with early transfer prints of pheasants and two sheep. Transfer printing on bow porcelain is very rare. Prov: Taylor Coll; Winifred Williams,...
Category

Mid-18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Figure 'Scapino, ' from the Commedia Dell'arte, Bow Porcelain, circa 1751
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
Scappino, or Scapin, a zany (zanni) character from the commedia dell'arte: a buffoon, schemer and scoundrel, and the title character in Molière's Les Fourberies de Scapin, first staged in 1671. The Bow figure shows him standing to right against a tree stump, right leg forward; right arm concealed in a tabarro (cape), and a mask in his left hand. He wears a white doublet, gilt frogged in the Hungarian manner, neck ruff, pale yellow-washed breeches above buckled shoes; a pouch on a red-brown strap and a dagger in a scabbard at the waist. Low square plinth base washed in typical pale Bow ‘lettuce’ green. No discernible translucency. H. 5.0 in (12.6 cm). Provenance: Taylor Collection; Simon Spero London, 2008; the Faith and Dewayne Perry Collection. The Scapino figure was presumably based on the Meissen modelled 1743-45 by Peter Reinicke, assisted by Käendler, and from the series produced for Johann Adlf II, Duke of Weissenfels, after an engraving by Francois Joullain (1662-1753) for Riccobin’s Historie du Théatre Italien, 1728. The modelling and features of the Bow figure suggest the work of the ‘Muses Modeller’, and the pallete, gilding and detail are also those of the muses modeller figures. This figure illustrated Bradshaw, 1992, as circa 1753, Plate 10 (A12), p.64. Scapino is depicted musically in William...
Category

Mid-18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Seal in the Form of a Lion, Chelsea, circa 1755
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
A porcelain seal in for the form of a seated lion. With original gold mount, loop, and semi-precious stone: which has not been engraved.
Category

Mid-18th 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.

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