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 Pottery Neo-Classical Greek Pattern Blue Deep Dish
By Spode
Located in Downingtown, PA
Spode pottery neo-classical Greek pattern blue deep dish,
Bacchus Mounted on a Panther,
Early-19th Century
The Spode Greek pattern pottery shaped rectangular dish with cantered...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Pottery
Materials
Pearlware, Pottery
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
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
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
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
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
Spode Neo-Classical Greek Pattern Blue Oval Dessert Dishes
By Spode
Located in Downingtown, PA
Spode neo-classical Greek pattern blue oval dessert dishes,
"A Domestic Ceremony",
Early 19th century
The Spode Greek pattern pottery dishes a...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Pottery
Materials
Pottery, Pearlware
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
Campana Vase, Victoriaware Wedgwood, circa 1880
By Wedgwood
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
A campana vase in white & gilt Victoriaware. Very French in style, the decoration being a copy of Sevres. It works surprisingly well on the neoclassical shape.
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Pottery
Materials
Stoneware
English Delft Campana Vase, C1760
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
A rare, large vase in a classical shape, decorated with figures in a landscape. Large pieces of delftware are not often found.
See CIRC 43-1963 in the V&A for a similar example.
Category
Mid-18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Pottery
Materials
Earthenware
Black basalt figure of Bacchus. Wedgwood C1780.
By Wedgwood
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
Exceptionally rare early figure of Bacchus in black basalt. The mixed-case mark places this figure between 1780 and 1785.
He is portrayed in typical style, his head garlanded with grapes and with a wine cup to his lips.
Bacchus, also known as Dionysus in Greek mythology, is the enigmatic god of wine, fertility, and ritual madness. He symbolizes freedom, ecstasy, and the blurring of societal norms through his rituals and festivities. Bacchus is often depicted in myths as a deity who challenges the status quo, promoting an atmosphere where conventional rules do not apply, and his followers are liberated from their everyday constraints.
Born from Zeus and the mortal Semele, Bacchus is unique among gods, bridging the divide between the divine and the human. His followers included the wild and ecstatic maenads, female devotees who often reached states of divine frenzy, and the satyrs, mischievous half-man, half-goat beings. The worship of Bacchus was marked by theatrical processions, dances, and plays, reflecting his patronage of the theater and the dramatic arts.
Bacchus’s mythology...
Category
1780s English Antique Neoclassical Pottery
Materials
Stoneware
Jasperware Buckle, Wedgwood, Matthew Boulton, Circa 1795
By Wedgwood
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
A jasper medallion decorated with Aphrodite, set in cut steel as a buckle, probably by Matthew Boulton. Original box.
The Greek goddess Aphrodite is often depicted in ancient art with a dolphin. In mythology, dolphins were considered sacred to Aphrodite, and they were associated with love, beauty, and fertility. According to one legend, Aphrodite emerged from the sea on a shell-borne chariot drawn by dolphins, and the creatures were said to be her faithful servants. As a result, images of Aphrodite with dolphins became a popular motif in Greek art, appearing on vases, sculptures, and other decorative objects. The association between Aphrodite and dolphins has continued through the centuries, and the image of the goddess with a dolphin remains a popular symbol of love and beauty.
Matthew Boulton (1728-1809) was an English manufacturer and entrepreneur who was best known for his contributions to the Industrial Revolution...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Pottery
Materials
Cut Steel
Prattware Teapot, Dated 1792
By Swinton Pottery
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
A documentary teapot, in pearl ware with Pratt ware colors under glaze. Dated and inscribed for Sarah Jackson. Attributed to the Swinton Pottery.
Category
1790s English Antique Neoclassical Pottery
Materials
Pearlware
Black Basalt Teapot, Turner, circa 1805
By Turner Pottery
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
A fine teapot with D-shape handle and a peculiar finial in the form of a widow without her barrel & cruze.
The finial confirms the Turner attribution.
Category
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Pottery
Materials
Stoneware
Dated Pearlware Teapot with Ship, English, 1792
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
A fine documentary teapot, probably made to record a marriage between a sailor and his lass. Pearlware, enamelled with a square-rigged schooner.
Category
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Pottery
Materials
Earthenware
Salt Glaze Sauce Boat, Barley-Corn Pattern, English, circa 1755
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
An excellent example of the popular Barleycorn pattern, crisply moulded in panels to the sides, with graceful sprigs. Salt-glaze particularly suits this sort of fine relief.
Excel...
Category
Mid-18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Pottery
Materials
Stoneware
Bust of Sir Isaac Newton, Pearlware, Ralph & Enoch Wood, circa 1790
By Ralph Wood Pottery
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
A pearlware bust of Sir Isaac Newton, by Enoch Wood. The oak pedestal adds dignity to an attractive rendering of this great man of science. A handwrit...
Category
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Pottery
Materials
Pearlware
Delft plate witha couple leaving a church. Wincanton/London England C1750
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
A dinner-plate, painted in the delft style with a couple leacing a church, or perhaps a house. Wincanton pottery, or perhaps London.
English Delftware is considered to be one of the...
Category
Mid-18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Pottery
Materials
Earthenware
Portrait Medallions David Garrick & Sarah Siddons, Wedgwood, 19th Century
By Wedgwood
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
A matched pair of portrait medallions showing the famous actors Mr Garrick (C1830) and Mrs Siddons, (circa 1880). Framed as a pair, they work well together.
David Garrick and Sarah Siddons...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Pottery
Materials
Pottery
Wedding Plate in cremware, Wedgwood C1786
By Wedgwood
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
A creamware plate, with transfer printed decoration. From a service probably ordered to commemorate the wedding of John Peter and Ann Du Port, of Guernsey.
The plate is of plain cre...
Category
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Pottery
Materials
Creamware
Delft plate - Ship in sail off the coast. Glasgow C1760
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
A dinner-plate, painted in the delft style, with a ship coming to land; bunches of grapes around the edge.
See Michael Archer, Delftwarem m233 no B258 for a similar example, which h...
Category
Mid-18th Century Scottish Antique Neoclassical Pottery
Materials
Earthenware
Saltglaze plate, from a service for King George III, English, circa 1760
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
A mosaic pattern plate in saltglaze earthenware, with a an early transfer-print of the Royal Arms used during this period. This coat of arms was used by both George II and George III...
Category
Mid-18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Pottery
Materials
Stoneware
Saltglaze Pounce Pot, English, circa 1750
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
A charming pounce pot, or sander, in sale-glazed earthenware. Unusually good condition. These were used to sprinkle pounce on writing paper; pounce was powd...
Category
Mid-18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Pottery
Materials
Stoneware
Tall coffee pot in pearlware, House & Fence decoration. C1790
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
A fine and large - enormous - coffee or chocolate pot in pearlware, with “House & Fence” decoration, in imitation of a Chinese original.
It is thought that these oversixed pots wer...
Category
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Pottery
Materials
Earthenware
Teapot, Aurora, Goddess of the Dawn, Greatbtach, C1765
By William Greatbatch
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
A classic Greatbatch teapot, with ear-shaped handle, double-flower finial, and “Aurora, Goddes of the Dawn” decoration.
Prov: Kantar Collection.
Category
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Pottery
Materials
Creamware
Delft plate with a woman passing a monument. England C1745.
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
Tin-glazed earthenware, decorated with a woman in a landscape. Known as a monument plate, after the monument surmounted by a vase.
Prov: Troy Chappell c...
Category
Mid-18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Pottery
Materials
Earthenware
Delft Charger, Coursing a Stag, English, circa 1710
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
Tin glazed earthenware (Delftware) dish, in an unusual shape; elaborately and skillfully painted with a man coursing a stag. Probably London; perhaps Bristol. Probably the salver for a large ewer.
English Delftware is considered to be one of the most important forms of English ceramic production of the period, and it had a major influence on the development of the British ceramics...
Category
Early 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Pottery
Materials
Earthenware
Miniature Salt Glaze Jug, English, circa 1760
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
A charming, small jug in salt-glazed earthenware. Plain: just the way we like it.
Category
Mid-18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Pottery
Materials
Stoneware
Saltglaze "King of Prussia" Plate, English, circa 1756
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
A salt-glaze plate, probably made about the time of Frederick the Great's successes in the Seven Years War and his convention with England in 1756 against France and her Allies.
...
Category
Mid-18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Pottery
Materials
Stoneware
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.