Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
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.
Early 20th Century British Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sterling Silver
20th Century Portuguese Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ceramic, Paint
1930s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Glass
1930s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Glass
1890s American Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ceramic
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sterling Silver
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Creamware
Early 19th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Delft
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Delft
Early 19th Century British Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Brass
Early 1900s Swedish Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Silver
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sterling Silver
20th Century French Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sterling Silver
Mid-18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
1790s English Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sterling Silver
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Silver Plate
1850s American Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Glass
20th Century American Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Metal, Silver
1850s American Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Glass
1920s British Vintage Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sterling Silver
20th Century Portuguese Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ceramic, Clay
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Crystal
1990s Portuguese Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Crystal
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Crystal
1790s British Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sterling Silver
1790s British Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sterling Silver
Mid-18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ceramic
20th Century English Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ceramic
1780s English Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Stoneware
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Pearlware
Early 19th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Delft
Mid-19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Stoneware
1990s French Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Crystal, Sterling Silver
Mid-18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Stoneware
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Stoneware
Early 1800s British Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sterling Silver
Mid-18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
18th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Silver
18th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Silver
18th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Silver
Mid-18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Metal, Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Tôle
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Stoneware
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Stoneware
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Pottery
Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
1850s English Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Silver Plate
1990s Italian Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sterling Silver
Mid-19th Century Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Bronze
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sterling Silver