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.
20th Century Portuguese Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ceramic
1820s French Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Bronze
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Silver Plate
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Majolica
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Glass, Acrylic
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Brass
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Stoneware
Late 19th Century Danish Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Mid-20th Century English Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ceramic
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Enamel
1960s Vintage Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Crystal
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Fabric
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Metal, Tin
1890s American Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Glass
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
1880s English Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Silver Plate
Early 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Copper
1890s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Alpaca
20th Century French Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Alabaster, Bronze
Late 19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Pearlware, Pottery
20th Century Portuguese Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ceramic, Clay
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Pearlware, Pottery
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Silver
1790s English Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sheffield Plate
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Creamware
20th Century French Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Crystal
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sterling Silver, Stainless Steel
1980s French Vintage Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Crystal
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Pearlware, Pottery
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sterling Silver
1850s American Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Glass
Early 1900s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sterling Silver
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Bronze
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ceramic
20th Century English Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Gold
Mid-19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Brazilian Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Silver Plate
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ceramic
Early 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Pearlware, Pottery
20th Century English Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Silver Plate
1880s Danish Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
1930s French Vintage Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Crystal
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Silver Plate
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Bronze
Mid-20th Century English Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sheffield Plate, Silver Plate
1910s German Vintage Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Crystal
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Metal
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Crystal
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Bronze
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Crystal, Silver