Neoclassical Pottery
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
Spode Neo-classical Greek Pattern Blue Soup Plates- Set of Ten
By Spode
Located in Downingtown, PA
Greek Revival Dining: Set of 10 Spode "Phliasian Horseman" Soup Plates
(c. 1806–1820)
A fine set of 10 early 19th-century blue and white transfer-printed pottery soup plates by Spo...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Pottery
Materials
Pearlware, Pottery
Spode Neo-Classical Greek Pattern Blue Openwork Dessert Plates
By Spode
Located in Downingtown, PA
Spode neo-classical Greek pattern blue openwork dessert plates,
Ceres with a Priestess,
Four plates (4)
Early 19th century
From a large collection of Greek pattern Spode- more pi...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Pottery
Materials
Pearlware, Pottery
18th Century Wedgwood Tricolor Jasper Ware Pegasus Vase
By Wedgwood
Located in Asheville, NC
Wedgwood's Etruria factory, Staffordshire, 1786. Green Jasper dip on solid white Jasper ware ground, with finely tooled, applied white Jasper bas-relief. White figural Pegasus surmou...
Category
1780s English Antique Neoclassical Pottery
Materials
Stoneware
1930s Wedgwood Crimson Dip Jasper Ware Garden Pot
By Wedgwood
Located in Asheville, NC
Etruria, Staffordshire, 1929-1938 , turned Wedgwood shape no. 317, stoneware with crimson Jasper dip ground, decorated with sprigged white Jasper bas-relief classical cameos, ringed ...
Category
1930s English Vintage Neoclassical Pottery
Materials
Stoneware
Wedgwood Jasperware small Vase Classical Putti Figures fully Marked, 19thC
By Wedgwood
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a good Jasperware stoneware small Blue and white vase, made by Wedgwood, England and dating to the 19th Century.
The vase has a classical baluster shape tapering into the n...
Category
19th Century British Antique Neoclassical Pottery
Materials
Pottery, Stoneware
Pair Modern Wedgwood Tricolor Jasper Ware Two Branch Candlesticks
By Wedgwood
Located in Asheville, NC
Barlaston, Staffordshire, c.2002, each with solid green capitals and branches suspended by a seated white figure on a blue plinth decorated with white bas-relief meander, embossed in...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary English Neoclassical Pottery
Materials
Stoneware
Pair Modern Wedgwood Black Jasper Ware Ewers, Sacred to Bacchus and Neptune
By Wedgwood
Located in Asheville, NC
Barlaston, Staffordshire, 1988, each solid black jasper moulded body bolted on respective base and plinth, white jasper bas- and haut-relief decoration applied throughout, white jasp...
Category
1980s English Vintage Neoclassical Pottery
Materials
Stoneware
Round Porcelain Vase Portugal 1970 Pink Color
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This vase is in Porcelain., the colors are grey and brown. It has been done circa 1970, in Portugal by S.I.A witch is a famous editor.
It is signed.
Category
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Pottery
Materials
Stoneware
$430 Sale Price
20% Off
Sponge Ware Pottery "Butter" Crock, 19th Century
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th century Large sponge ware crock with minor hairline crack. Sold as is.
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Pottery
Materials
Iron
$300 Sale Price
20% Off
Regency Period Spode Neo-classical Greek Pattern Blue Dessert Dishes- a Pair
By Spode
Located in Downingtown, PA
Regency Spode neo-Classical Greek pattern blue rectangular dessert dishes,
Four figures in battle,
Early 19th century
The Spode Greek pattern pott...
Category
Early 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Pottery
Materials
Pearlware, Pottery
Regency Herculaneum Neo-Classical Greek Pattern Blue Printed Dish
Located in Downingtown, PA
Herculaneum neo-Classical Greek Pattern blue printed dish,
Early-19th century
The Herculaneum pottery underglaze blue central pattern shows a s...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Pottery
Materials
Pearlware, Pottery
Framed Modern Wedgwood Basalt Stoneware Tablet after Stubbs, Frightened Horse
By Wedgwood
Located in Asheville, NC
Barlaston, Staffordshire, 1973, molded, stepped, oval form with bas-relief depiction of a horse cowering from an imposing lion, impressed "WEDGWOOD" recto, "WEDGWOOD/MADE IN ENGLAND/...
Category
1970s English Vintage Neoclassical Pottery
Materials
Stoneware
Large Scale Italian Neoclassical Style Urns or Vases with Ram’s Heads, a Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of monumental neoclassical style pottery urns handcrafted in Italy. They are marked and in very good condition. The urns most likely date to the later part of the 20th...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Pottery
Materials
Ceramic, Pottery
Pair of Wedgwood & Bentley Agate Plant Pots
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
A pair of plant pots covered in marbled brown glaze emulating agate gemstone encircled with checkered rims accented in gold, made circa 1770 by Wedgwood &...
Category
1770s English Antique Neoclassical Pottery
Materials
Creamware, Pottery
$4,360 / set
18th Century Wedgwood Tricolor Dip Jasper Ware Basketweave Vase
By Wedgwood
Located in Asheville, NC
Etruria, Staffordshire, c.1790, lilac dip white jasper body with vertical engine-turned stripes, ornamented with molded strips of green jasper strapwork, bolted to base with nut ceme...
Category
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Pottery
Materials
Stoneware
Exhibited Wedgwood & Bentley Basalt Ware Four-Handled Vase
Located in Asheville, NC
Etruria, Staffordshire, c.1780, thrown in four parts and bolted to a plinth built of five small slabs, decorated by molded handles with horned returns to high relief goats’ masks with drapery festoons, circular seal at bolt impressed “WEDGWOOD & BENTLEY: ETRURIA,” 18 in. Provenance: Dr. Ellis F. Rubin & Suzanne Borow Rubin.
Exhibited at the Mint Museum in Charlotte, NC in 2020 and illustrated in the accompanying literature, “Classic Black: The Basalt Sculptures of Wedgwood...
Category
1780s English Antique Neoclassical Pottery
Materials
Pottery
Framed Set Fifteen Wedgwood Blue Jasper Ware Horse Medallions after Stubbs
By Wedgwood
Located in Asheville, NC
British and American, 19th/early 20th century, fifteen Wedgwood solid blue jasper ware two inch medallions, each depicting an individual horse in a unique pose, modeled by Edward Bir...
Category
1910s English Vintage Neoclassical Pottery
Materials
Stoneware
Wedgwood Crimson Jasperware Pitcher
By Wedgwood
Located in New Orleans, LA
This striking Wedgwood crimson dip bas-relief covered jug features an applied white jasper neoclassical decoration of grapevines bordering the rim. De...
Category
20th Century English Neoclassical Pottery
Materials
Pottery
Spode Neo-classical Greek Pattern Blue Printed Hot Water Dishes
By Spode
Located in Downingtown, PA
Spode Neo-classical Greek pattern blue printed hot water dishes,
Zeus in his Chariot,
A pair,
Early 19th century
(We have five in all-two pairs and a single)
The Spode pottery...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Pottery
Materials
Pearlware, Pottery
18th Century Wedgwood Four Color Dip Jasper Ware Medallion
By Wedgwood
Located in Asheville, NC
Etruria, Staffordshire, c. 1790, octagonal wafer-thin white jasper with green jasper dip framing, lilac ground boarder with white jasper floral meander, central decoration with blue ...
Category
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Pottery
Materials
Stoneware
Round Ceramic Vases or Decorative Balls 1970 Pink Color by Guy Bareff
By Guy Bareff
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
These vases is Ceramic., the color is between brown and Pink. It has been done circa 1970, in France. These has been given by the artist's wife to the precedent owner.
Category
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Pottery
Materials
Stoneware
$3,350 Sale Price / set
20% Off
18th Century Wedgwood Solid Green Jasper Ware Bough Pot, Cupid as Seasons
By Wedgwood
Located in Asheville, NC
Etruria, Staffordshire, circa 1785, chalky solid buff-green jasper ware rectangular molded body, applied and finely undercut white jasper bas- and haut-relief decoration depicting cu...
Category
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Pottery
Materials
Stoneware
Spongeware Slop Bucket with Handle
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare 19th C Spongeware Slop Bucket with Handle
Category
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Pottery
Materials
Pottery
$716 Sale Price
20% Off
Early 20th C Terra Cotta Neoclassical Ewer
Located in Troy, MI
Circa 1920s red clay ewer with classical figures etched and painted in black. Found in England. Unknown maker. No cracks, chips or repairs found. White blurs...
Category
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Pottery
Materials
Terracotta
19th-C. English Neo-Classical Style Staffordhire Pottery Biscuit Jar
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a 19th century English neo-classical style staffordshire biscuit jar. It is marked and in very good antique condition.
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Pottery
Materials
Bronze
18th Century Wedgwood Solid Green Jasper Ware Caryatid Bough Pot
By Wedgwood
Located in Asheville, NC
Etruria, Staffordshire, c.1790, white jasper pierced grid, molded green body ornamented with bas-relief figure of Venus and alternating urns of flowers within molded arches, high-rel...
Category
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Pottery
Materials
Stoneware
Wedgwood Crimson Dip Jasper Ware Garden Pot
By Wedgwood
Located in Asheville, NC
Etruria, Staffordshire, circa 1925, turned Wedgwood shape no. 317, stoneware with crimson Jasper dip ground, decorated with sprigged white Jasper bas-relief depictions of muses and A...
Category
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Pottery
Materials
Stoneware
Early Spode Red Greek Pattern Tile
By Josiah Spode, Spode
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
A Neoclassical red transferware tile made by Spode 1806-1810, with the ‘Refreshments for Phliasian Horseman’ pattern.
Sir William Hamilton’s Collection of Etruscan, Greek and Roman antiquities, first published in 1766 by Pierre d’Hancarville, was a landmark publication in English design. It intended to disseminate the Antique style through its engravings of Attic pottery. The catalog’s faithful reproductions of Classical vases led British potteries, including Spode, to adapt or even copy the ancient art for modern life. These Spode Greek pattern tiles reflect the major influence of Hamilton’s catalog on English Neoclassicism. The central scene was taken directly from the catalog.
This tile can be dated to a narrow window of production in the Spode factory, 1806-1810. During that time, Spode used a technique known as the “Pluck and Dust” method to print in red transfer designs onto creamware. Using this method, source prints were transferred overglaze using tissue imprinted with a very faint rendition of the design outlined in sticky oil. The decorator applied the tissue to the object then carefully “plucked” or pulled it away, leaving the sticky oil design behind. Then, a finely-ground enamel color was “dusted” onto the surface, sticking to any areas that had the oil. A final firing at a low temperature in the enamel kiln made the pattern permanent. The Pluck and Dust technique improved upon bat-printing and enabled larger designers to be transferred. It was short-lived, however, as under-glaze transfer printing soon took over as the preferred method for producing transferwares.
Dimensions: 5 in. x 5 in. x 1/4 in.
Condition: Excellent. Slight chip to the upper left corner measuring approximately 0.9 cm. in length.
Provenance:
The Collection of Nancy and Andrew Ramage
Jonathan Horne...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Pottery
Materials
Earthenware, Creamware
Early 19th Century Spode Red Greek Pattern Tile
By Josiah Spode, Spode
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
A Neoclassical red transferware tile made by Spode 1806-1810, with the ‘Zeus in His Chariot’ pattern.
Sir William Hamilton’s Collection of Etruscan, Greek and Roman antiquities, first published in 1766 by Pierre d’Hancarville, was a landmark publication in English design. It intended to disseminate the Antique style through its engravings of Attic pottery. The catalog’s faithful reproductions of Classical vases led British potteries, including Spode, to adapt or even copy the ancient art for modern life. These Spode Greek pattern tiles reflect the major influence of Hamilton’s catalog on English Neoclassicism. The central scene was taken directly from the catalog.
This tile can be dated to a narrow window of production in the Spode factory, 1806-1810. During that time, Spode used a technique known as the “Pluck and Dust” method to print in red transfer designs onto creamware. Using this method, source prints were transferred overglaze using tissue imprinted with a very faint rendition of the design outlined in sticky oil. The decorator applied the tissue to the object then carefully “plucked” or pulled it away, leaving the sticky oil design behind. Then, a finely-ground enamel color was “dusted” onto the surface, sticking to any areas that had the oil. A final firing at a low temperature in the enamel kiln made the pattern permanent. The Pluck and Dust technique improved upon bat-printing and enabled larger designers to be transferred. It was short-lived, however, as under-glaze transfer printing soon took over as the preferred method for producing transferwares.
Dimensions: 5 in. x 5 in. x 1/4 in.
Condition: Excellent.
Provenance:
The Collection of Nancy and Andrew Ramage
Jonathan Horne...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Pottery
Materials
Earthenware, Creamware
Early Wedgwood Egyptian Revival Neoclassical Rosso Antico Coffee Pot
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
A Wedgwood rosso antico coffee pot made ca. 1810. The pot's red body is accentuated by black basalt details in the Egyptian Revival style.
Developed by Josiah Wedgwood in the 1760s, rosso antico famously exhibits the Egyptian Revival style that became popular in the early 19th century during Napoleon...
Category
Early 19th Century British Antique Neoclassical Pottery
Materials
Earthenware
Neoclassical pottery for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Neoclassical pottery 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 pottery created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, decorative objects, asian art and furniture and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, earthenware and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Neoclassical pottery 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 pottery, popular names associated with this style include Wedgwood, Spode, Josiah Spode, and Adams. 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 pottery differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $280 and tops out at $285,000 while the average work can sell for $1,600.