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.
1970s British Vintage Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Gold, Enamel
1920s Danish Vintage Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
1840s American Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
1870s American Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sterling Silver
19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Silver
20th Century American Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sterling Silver
1870s American Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Brass
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sterling Silver
20th Century American Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Glass
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Opaline Glass
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Gold Plate, Silver
Mid-19th Century Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Pottery, Pearlware
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Gold, Sterling Silver
20th Century Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Iron
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Silver
20th Century French Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Silver
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Brass
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Late 18th Century American Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Silver Plate
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Clay
21st Century and Contemporary English Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Stoneware
1980s French Vintage Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Silver Plate
1980s French Vintage Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Silver Plate
1890s American Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sterling Silver
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Creamware
Mid-20th Century British Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Crystal
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Creamware
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sterling Silver
19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Gold
1980s French Vintage Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Silver Plate
1980s French Vintage Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Silver Plate
Early 1800s German Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Early 19th Century British Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Blown Glass
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Silver Plate
20th Century English Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Metal
1770s Italian Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Silver Plate
1860s English Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ceramic
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Creamware
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Metal
1780s English Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ceramic
Late 18th Century German Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Silver Plate
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Metal
1890s French Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Late 18th Century Austrian Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Silver
1920s Belgian Vintage Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Silver, Brass
1830s American Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Silver
Approx: 310 grams
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sterling Silver
Mid-18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Metal, Silver Plate
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Silver