Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
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.
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Iron
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Glass, Wood
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Gold Leaf
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
20th Century French Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Bronze
1930s British Vintage Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Leather, Paper
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century Mexican Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Brass
Late 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Metal
1990s American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Brass
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
19th Century Swiss Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Rosewood
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Iron
1830s British Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Leather, Paper
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Brass
1830s American Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Glass, Wood, Paper
Early 1900s American Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Brass
1950s English Vintage Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Pottery
Late 18th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Burl
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Brass
1840s British Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Leather, Paper
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Mahogany
Late 19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
20th Century American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Marble, Onyx
1830s English Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Glass, Wood, Paper
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Plaster, Paint
Mid-19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Porcelain, Walnut, Giltwood
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Plaster, Wood, Pine
Late 19th Century Portuguese Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Brass
18th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Other
1880s American Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Iron
1810s Italian Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood, Paper
1960s Unknown Vintage Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Sterling Silver
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Copper
1980s Vintage Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Metal
20th Century Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Silver Plate
18th Century European Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Silver
Early 19th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Alabaster
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Creamware
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Metal
18th Century South American Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Other
20th Century Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Glass, Wood, Paper
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Poplar
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Brass
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Brass, Copper, Other
Early 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Leather, Paper, Parchment Paper
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Canvas, Giltwood
Late 19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Brass
20th Century American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Gold Plate
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Marble