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.
to
78
223
1
71
103
49
1
20
12
10
3
1
1
1
1
3
2
8
1
417
378
301
268
229
225
224
175
155
147
120
92
84
24
22
10
9
4
210
204
18
7
6
97
55
210
97
90
33
28
224
223
223
26
12
11
8
7
Style: Neoclassical
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
Cup & Saucer decorated with bluebells. Nantgarw C1815.
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
A particularly pleasing and restrained form of decoration for this period, which allows the beauty of the porcelain to be clearly seen.
Nantgarw porcelain is particularly fine, and ...
Category
1810s Welsh Antique Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Figure of The Vintner's Companion, Bow Porcelain Factory, circa 1748
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
Moulded in a dense body in typical muses modeller style and with slightly drab glaze. She stands by a fruiting vinestock and carries an open basket of grapes in her right hand, her e...
Category
Mid-18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Teapot, Derby Porcelain Works, circa 1775
By Derby
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
A gadrooned, canon-ball shape teapot, decorated with typical sprays of natural flowers. The shape and decoration are both in imitation of Meissen.
The Derby Porcelain Works, now known as the Royal Crown Derby Porcelain Company, is a British manufacturer of fine bone china. The company has a long and rich history dating back to the late 18th century.
The company was founded in 1750 as the Derby China Works. It was originally located in the city of Derby and produced a wide range of ceramic wares, including tea sets, vases, and figurines. In 1756, the company was granted the status of "Supplier to the King," which allowed it to use the "Royal" designation in its name.
In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the company experienced significant growth and expanded its product line to include more elaborate and ornate pieces. The company was particularly known for its "Derby Posies...
Category
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Porcelain Rosenthal Classic Rose Serving Bowl
Located in Mérida, YU
Rosenthal Classic Rose Serving Bowl made of Porcelain- Perfect condition with original tags.
Very nice motifs and texture.
Category
1970s German Vintage Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
"The Ages of Love" after Thorvaldsen, Denmark probably 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Biscuit porcelain plaque with relief depiction of "The Love Ages" after Bertel Thorvaldsen.
Category
19th Century Danish Antique Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
La Nourrice - Porcelain figure of breast feeding, Liverpool, circa 1759
By Richard Chaffers
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
An important soft-paste porcelain figure of a nurse feeding a swaddled infant. Probably by Richard Chaffers; and taken from the Chelsea version, which in turn was from the potter Ber...
Category
Mid-18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of "Old Paris" Vases with Garlands of Bisquit Flowers
Located in New York, NY
French, circa 1820.
Porcelain, painted and gilded, with applied bisquit flowers
8 13/16 in. high.
Inscribed (with incised mark, under the base of each): 3.
Category
1820s French 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
"The Summer" After Bertel Thorvaldsen, Denmark Probably 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Round biscuit porcelain plaque depicting summer after the Four Seasons cycle by Bertel Thorvaldsen.
Category
19th Century Danish Antique Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Set of 12 Rosenthal Porcelain Classic Rose Soup Plate
Located in Mérida, YU
Set of 12 Soup Plates by Rosenthal.
Perfect condition. Never used.
Very elegant.
Category
1970s German Vintage Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
A Nun, perhaps a theatrical figure. England, probably Plymouth, circa 1750
By Plymouth Porcelain Factory 1
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
An interesting soft-paste porcelain figure of a Dominican Nun, perhaps the theatrical figure Heloise.
Although the Nun appears in various versions in European and English porcelain,...
Category
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
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
Teapot Stand, "Milkmaids" Pattern, Worcester, circa 1760
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
Hexagonal teapot stand, with transfer print decoration of The Milkmaids.
From an engraving by Richard Hancock, one the best and most important of the en...
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
Figure: David Garrick and the Shoeshine Boy, Bow Porcelain, circa 1751
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
A fashionably dressed gentleman, almost certainly the actor David Garrick: he wears a white frockcoat, pink waistcoat and red breeches, all with embroide...
Category
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Trimph Der Venus Royal Vienna Platter Framed Signed and W Bee Hive Marking
By Berger Pinh
Located in Manhasset, NY
A Vienna style porcelain burgundy-ground tray, 'triumph Der Venus' late 19th century, blue beehive mark, signed bergère Pinh. The oblong octagonal tray painted with Venus rising from the sea...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Porcelain
Tea Canister, Hop Trellis Pattern, Worcester, C1780
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
In soft paste porcelain, French shape, decorated with a variation of the scarce and popular Hops and Trellis pattern.
Prov. Lady Humphries collection....
Category
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Large Neoclassical Style Gilt Bronze and Porcelain Vase
Located in London, GB
Large Neoclassical style gilt bronze and porcelain vase
French, 19th Century
Measures: height 87 cm, diameter 27 cm
This grand porcelain vase is crafted in the style of Sèvres. ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu
Water Pitcher Set, Moritz Zdekauer, Altrohlau, Czech Republic, Late 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Porcelain. With marks.
Water pitcher set decorated with stripes with floral elements in floral in vivid blue, red and gold tones. The center of the e...
Category
Late 19th Century Czech Antique Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Yellow Ground Vases, Chamberlain Worcester, circa 1805
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
A rare pair of yellow-ground vases or jardinières, with reserves of exquisite flower-painting or a quality seen only during this period.
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Waste Bowl, Chelsea, circa 1755
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
An unusual waste bowl (sometimes called a slop bowl) in soft-paste porcelain, decorated with typical Chelsea sprigs and bunches of flowers.
One of the most...
Category
Mid-18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Tea Bowl & Saucer, Chelsea, circa 1752
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
An octagonal tea bowl and matching saucer, decorated with Chelsea's usual beautiful flower painting.
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 painting, and the results have always been highly prized by collectors.
Chelsea porcelain is highly collectible and has a reputation for being of exceptional quality. It is often considered to be among the finest examples of English porcelain...
Category
Mid-18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Blue Fan Royal Copenhagen Porcelain Dinnerware, Oval Sauce Boat on Base
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Blue Fan Royal Copenhagen porcelain dinnerware.
Two pieces. Oval sauce boat on fixed base, no. 11550.
One factory quality, perfect condition.
Measures: H 8 cm, L 22.5 cm.
Category
20th Century Danish Neoclassical Porcelain
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
Tea bowl and Saucer, Chelsea, circa 1752
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
From early in the red anchor period, a fluted tea bowl and saucer, exquisitely painted with flowers and insects.
Category
1750s 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
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
Plate with Coiled Phoenix, Chelsea, C1754
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
A very fine plate, damasked with Gotzkowsky erhaben Blumen. Decorated after the Japanese with peonies and a coiled phoenix to the centre, using the Kakiemo...
Category
Mid-18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Monumental Pair Porcelain Hunting Scene Vases w/ Platinum and Gilt Decoration
Located in New York, NY
Magnificent in scale and adorned with opulent detailing were created in 1876 and bear the signature of A. Carrier Hammer, these monumental baluster vases stand at an impressive heigh...
Category
19th Century Czech Antique Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Gold
Onyx, Porcelain, Gilt-Bronze and Cloisonnè Sevres Center, Neoclassical Style
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Onyx, porcelain, gilt bronze and cloisonnè Sevres center. Neoclassical Style. France late 19th century.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Onyx, Bronze
Coffee Can: Merian's Opossum, Nymphenburg, C1790
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
A good example of the fine painting produced at this factory. This example with an African possum and a feline, after the engraving by George Buffons.
Category
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Figure of a Nun, Perhaps Heloise, Bow Porcelain Factory, circa 1750
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
A classic example of early bow porcelain.
The figure is of a Dominican Nun, and is based on a continental model, probably Meissen.
Bow produced a number of apparently religious...
Category
Mid-18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Seal, I Still Hope, Derby Porcelain Works, circa 1760
By Derby
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
A delightul porcelain seal, depicting a young lady, seated on a mound. It is painted with the motto J'ESPRE ENCORE, or I Still Hope. No doubt this was intended as a gift, to be given...
Category
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Itinerant Ballad Singer figures. Bow porcelain C1748
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
Flemish man and wife, in the white. He wears an open coat, waistcoat, breeches and tricorn hat, and plays a hurdy-gurdy. She wears a sleeved dress, long apron and linen cap and carri...
Category
1740s English Antique Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Fine Large 19th Century Fruit Encrusted Schneehallen Vase
Located in London, GB
A continental porcelain vase, entirely encrusted with various fruits and flowers on a white and heavily gilded background.
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Figure of Pointing Boy by Bow Porcelain Factory, circa 1751
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
Presumably based on the work of the Flemish sculptor François Duquesnoy (1597-1643), also known as Il Fiammingo.
A small series of Chelsea figures from the late 1740s was also ba...
Category
Mid-18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Near Pair of Baluster Shape Vases, Chelsea, circa 1755
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
Baluster shaped vase in soft paste porcelain with early gilt line decoration. Superb flower painting.
The shapes are very close, and the gilding is slightly more elaborate on the se...
Category
Mid-18th Century English Antique 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
18th Century French Hand Painted Porcelain in Gilt-Mount 'Ormolu', Centrepiece
Located in Lantau, HK
Transitional period, late 18th century (circa 1770-1780)
This vase embodies a neoclassical shape and a Rococo depiction of flowers, the blue flowers around the neck of the vase first...
Category
18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Ormolu
Early Cream Boat, Worcester, circa 1753
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
A small, early boat of rare oval form, the more usual being the hexagonal.
Appealingly naïve polychrome decoration of the period, possibly done outside the factory at one of the enamelling works.
The early Worcester...
Category
Mid-18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Large Tankard, Worcester, circa 1770, Later Decorated
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
A fine, large 18th century tankard, redecorated in the 19th century with a scene of hare coursing.
Category
Mid-18th Century English 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 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
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
Winter, from the Four Seasons, Bow Porcelain Factory, circa 1750
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
A personification of Winter, from The Four Seasons.
Unusually fine condition for a figure of this period.
Category
Mid-18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Figure: Female Pedlar, Possibly Peg Woffington, Bow Porcelain, circa 1758
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
On a mound base decorated with painted floral sprigs. She wears a pale pink-mauve washed shift with iron-red sleeves and cloak, pale mauve and pink stomacher and a sprigged white shi...
Category
Late 18th Century English 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
Pair of 19th Century English Lamps
By Minton
Located in London, GB
A very elegant pair of lamps, English, probably Copeland or Minton, in the French manner, Parian ware (unglazed porcelain). The group reminds one of summer, where two figures are eat...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Saucer Dish, "Milkmaids" Pattern with Double Rebus, Worcester, circa 1757
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
Transfer print decoration of The Milkmaids.
The engraving carries marks for three important people, and is very rare.
The double-anchor represent the Holdship brothers, Richard...
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.