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.
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
20th Century American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
Early 1900s American Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Brass
20th Century Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Leather
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Leather
20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Marble, Bronze, Brass
Late 18th Century German Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Bronze, Other
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
1830s Italian Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Metal
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
20th Century American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Gold Plate, Silver, Bronze
18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Bronze, Other
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Bronze
18th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Fruitwood
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Iron
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Acrylic
Mid-20th Century Canadian Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Spelter
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood, Walnut
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Animal Skin, Paper
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Copper, Iron
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Glass, Wood
18th Century European Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Bronze
1840s Spanish Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Bronze
Late 18th Century German Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
19th Century Austrian Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Giltwood
18th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Other
19th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Oak
1870s American Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Silver
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Creamware
18th Century European Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Gold, Enamel, Other
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Marble
Late 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Gold
Late 19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Porcelain
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Alabaster
1990s Italian Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Creamware
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Maiolica, Majolica
20th Century American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Metal
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Metal
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Creamware
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Poplar
1950s English Vintage Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Creamware
1830s American Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Glass, Wood, Paper
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Creamware
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Ceramic
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
1830s American Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Giltwood, Paper, Glass
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Rope, Maple
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Metal, Bronze
1850s American Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Glass, Wood, Paper