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, Nickel
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Glass, Wood
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Metal
1990s American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
Mid-19th Century North American Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Slate
Late 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Metal
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Brass
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Gold
20th Century American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
20th Century American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Copper, Iron
18th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Tôle, Metal
1830s Italian Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Bronze
Early 20th Century European Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Metal
1940s Vintage Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Metal
2010s Mexican Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Steel
1950s German Vintage Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Metal, Steel
20th Century Spanish Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Wrought Iron, Copper, Iron
20th Century Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
19th Century North American Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
1820s American Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
1970s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Marble, Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century European Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Malachite, Marble
20th Century Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Brass
20th Century Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
Early 20th Century European Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Metal
1940s Vintage Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Metal
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Pewter
20th Century American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Metal
20th Century Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Brass
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
20th Century American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
20th Century American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper