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.
Large Neoclassical Creamware Tureen
Located in New York, NY
Large Neoclassical creamware tureen. Large neoclassical creamware zuppiera of tripod form with lion masks with rings supported on fluted monoped...
Creamware
Pair Blue and White Antique Wedgwood Soup Tureens Mared Pattern Circa 1840
Located in Katonah, NY
This exquisite pair of Wedgwood blue and white Mared pattern soup tureens was made in England circa 1840. The design features a loop of delicate "pearls" encircling the center, compl...
Pearlware
Large 18th Century French Porcelain Soup Tureen & Stand Decorated in Cornflowers
By Clingancourt Porcelain
Located in Katonah, NY
Large 18th Century French Porcelain Soup Tureen and Stand Decorated with Cornflower Sprigs, Marked for "Monsieur" This elegant 18th-centu...
Porcelain
Pair Antique Wedgwood Creamware Tureens Neoclassical England Circa 1820
By Wedgwood
Located in Katonah, NY
A pair of Wedgwood creamware sauce tureens with original attached underplates and spoons, made circa 1820 in the refined Neoclassical style popular during the Regency era. Each turee...
Creamware
18th-century Wedgwood Creamware Tureen, Cover & Stand
By Wedgwood
Located in Downingtown, PA
English Creamware Tureen, Cover & Stand, Wedgwood, Circa 1790-1800 The Wedgwood creamware soup tureen, cover and stand is of an oval form with dramatic handles with large molded...
Creamware, Pottery, Ceramic
Set of 4 Georgian Antique Sterling Silver Sauce Tureens. John Emes London 1802/3
By John Emes
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1802 & 1803 by John Emes, this handsome set of 4, George III, Antique sterling silver sauce tureens, are 'Boat' shaped, and plain in design, featuring reed bo...
Sterling Silver
$1,240Sale Price / set|20% Off
Meissen Porcelain Tureen and Six Plates, Late 19th Century
Located in Chappaqua, NY
Beautiful hand-painted porcelain tureen and six reticulated plates. Finely detailed foliate pattern in a rich green glaze.
Porcelain
$480Sale Price|60% Off
Late 19th Century Covered Porcelain Tureen by KPM
By Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur (KPM)
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Late 19th century porcelain covered tureen by KPM, German. Königliche Porzellan Manufaktur (Royal Porcelain Factory), the oldest porcelaine producer in Berlin. Hand painted floral sp...
Porcelain
Continental Covered Soup Tureen in Neoclassical Style with Bacchic Decoration
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A continental covered soup tureen in Neoclassical style with Bacchic décor on a deep eggplant ground. Transfer painted decorations unfold on the circular bowl and pedestal along with...
Glass
English Creamware Covered Soup Tureen and Stand, Wedgwood, circa 1790
Located in New York, NY
English creamware covered soup tureen and stand, Wedgwood, circa 1790. Impressed Wedgwood.
Chinese Export Porcelain Soup Tureen
Located in Essex, MA
With domed cover with gilt lemon finial on a conforming base with two handles.
Porcelain
Antique French White Ironstone Lidded Soup Tureen
Located in Pearland, TX
A gorgeous antique French white ironstone lidded soup tureen, circa 1900. No maker's mark. This fine soup tureen has a decorative finial and lovely ornate handles. It displays beauti...
Ironstone
Paris Porcelain Covered Tureen on Stand, Le Tallec, Dated 1959
Located in New York, NY
Paris porcelain covered tureen on stand, Le Tallec, dated 1959. Made for Tiffany & Co.
Porcelain
1960s Stoneware Soup Tureen
Located in Denton, TX
Stoneware soup tureen with lid and ladle. The ladle is a combination of stoneware with a wood stem.
Stoneware, Wood
Armorial Sterling Silver Tureen, London, circa 1817
Located in Atlanta, GA
Joseph Craddock and William Ker Reid, 1817. Sterling silver lidded George III tureen bearing Langton family coat of arms. Appropriately marked. Dimensions: Height 10 3/4" x width 16"...
Silver
$3,160Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 10 in W 14.5 in D 11.25 in
Mid 18th Century Chinese Export Soup Tureen with Under Plate
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice mid 19th century Chinese export porcelain soup tureen with under plate, circa 1850s. The stand is in very good vintage condition with no chips or cracks and measures 14.5...
Porcelain
Large Tureen And Its Dish In Limoges Porcelain
By Limoges
Located in BARSAC, FR
Large tureen and matching platter with rich floral decoration on a turquoise blue background in the style of Sèvres. Limoges porcelain, first half of the 20th century. Superb quali...
Porcelain
Bordallo Pinheiro Fish Soup Tureen White
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Vintage Portugese White majolica soup tureen in a shape of fish , 16” long , by Bordallo Pinheiro. Collectible whimsical majolica piece5z
Ceramic
Antique French White Ironstone Lidded Soup Tureen
Located in Pearland, TX
A gorgeous antique French white ironstone lidded soup tureen, circa 1900. No maker's mark. This fine soup tureen has a decorative finial and lovely ornate handles. It displays beauti...
Ironstone
Antique Petite French White Ironstone Lidded Soup Tureen
Located in Pearland, TX
A gorgeous petite antique French white ironstone lidded soup tureen, circa 1900. No maker's mark. This fine soup tureen has a decorative finial and lovely ornate handles. It's perfec...
Ironstone
19th Century English Derby Porcelain Tureen with Lid
By Derby
Located in Atlanta, GA
19th Century English Derby Porcelain Tureen with lid.
Porcelain
French 19th Century Ironstone Oval Tureen
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A gorgeous 19th century white ironstone tureen from France, complete with the original fitted lid to the oval form, this is a classic serving piece for any kitchen. The charming desi...
Ceramic, Ironstone
18th Century English Creamware Tureen by Leeds Pottery Circa 1785
Located in Katonah, NY
This rare and beautifully modeled creamware soup tureen was made by Leeds Pottery around 1780. It features a domed lid topped with a loop finial adorned with applied flowers and foli...
Creamware
Circa 1830s Ironstone Sauce Tureen
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1830 English Classical period ironstone sauce tureen, integral stand & cover, Imari pattern. Finial a cornucopia with head of a fawn tip. Whitehall Antiques is a family busine...
Ceramic
Pair of Silver Lidded Tureens, Johann Georg Hann, Vienna, 1800
Located in Greding, DE
Pair of silver lidded tureens with reclining female figures on the walls and the herb "Samson", led by 50 noble families of Poland and monogrammed L.S.B. un...
Silver
Sold
H 8.75 in W 13.75 in D 8 in
Antique Herculaneum Pottery Neo-Classical Greek Pattern Blue Soup Tureen & Cover
Located in Downingtown, PA
Herculaneum Pottery neo-classical Greek pattern blue soup tureen & cover Early-19th century The Herculaneum Greek pattern pottery soup tureen and...
Pearlware, Pottery
Early 19th Century Wedgwood Creamware Soup Tureen, Stand and Ladle
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
Creamware is a cream colored refined earthenware first produced in the mid-18th century, and perfected by Wedgwood in the 1760s. This tureen is in the Classic Wedgwood shape, and fea...
Pottery
Pair of 19th Century Ironstone Tureens
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These two Ironstone tureens are in mint condition and both have labels.
Ironstone
Neoclassical Creamware Cachepot
Located in New York, NY
Neoclassical creamware cachepot. Large earthenware lion-head soup tureen of tripod form with lion paws on circular base. Impressed marks for Fabbrica Del Vecchio...
Earthenware
Sold
H 6.7 in Dm 9.06 in
Royal Copenhagen Flora Danica Large Tureen / Lidded Bowl, Branch-Shaped Handle
Located in København, Copenhagen
Royal Copenhagen Flora Danica large tureen / lidded bowl, branch-shaped handle, repousse flowers. Dessin No. 20/3568. Measures: 23.5 x 17.5 cm. 1st. factory quality. In perfect co...
Porcelain
Royal Copenhagen Flora Danica Large Tureen / Lidded Bowl
Located in København, Copenhagen
Royal Copenhagen Flora Danica large tureen / lidded bowl, branch-shaped handle, repousse flowers. Dessin No. 20/3567. Measures: Length 40 cm, height 17 ...
Porcelain
Italian Silver Puerperal Cup or Small Soup Tureen, Milan Circa 1830
Located in Milano, IT
Silversmith L. B. Small silver soup tureen or puerperal cup with plate and lid Milan, around 1830 Height 19.5 cm (7.67 in) - diameter 21.7 cm (8.54 in) lb 2.14 (kg 0.97) State of conservation: slight use defects and a dent on the plate. From about the mid-16th century, the puerperal soup tureen or puerperal cup became one of the most popular wedding gifts in central Italy. As an auspicious symbol, it replaced the birth table...
Sterling Silver
Tiffany & Co. Neoclassical Silver Soup Tureen
Located in New Orleans, LA
Tiffany & Co. displays its design prowess with this exquisite silver soup tureen. The firm's reinterpretation of the Neoclassical style, which was pioneered by such silversmithing le...
Silver