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.
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Metal
1890s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Alpaca
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Creamware
1970s Swedish Vintage Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Metal
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sterling Silver
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Creamware
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Crystal, Bronze
20th Century Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Iron
20th Century American Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Metal, Silver Plate
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Brass
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sterling Silver
1990s American Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sterling Silver
1790s English Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sterling Silver
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Enamel
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Silver
1780s English Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sterling Silver
1970s German Vintage Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
1890s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Silver
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Brass
Early 1900s English Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Crystal, Bronze
Early 1800s French Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Tin
1960s Danish Vintage Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
1960s Danish Vintage Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Silver Plate
Mid-19th Century Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sterling Silver
1930s French Vintage Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Crystal, Bronze
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
20th Century American Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Silver Plate
Late 20th Century Central American Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Crystal
1850s Italian Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Marble, Silver
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sterling Silver
1840s American Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
1860s American Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Metal, Tin
18th Century Mexican Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Silver
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Silver Plate
20th Century French Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Silver
20th Century American Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Silver Plate
Mid-20th Century British Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Crystal
1790s English Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sheffield Plate
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Silver
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Opaline Glass
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Crystal
1870s Danish Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ceramic
20th Century English Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Gold
1880s Danish Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Late 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Creamware
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sterling Silver
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Creamware
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ormolu, Bronze