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
1850s American Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Iron
Early 1800s Unknown Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Pine
Early 19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
1810s German Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Walnut
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Giltwood
1830s English Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Glass, Wood, Paper
1890s French Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Brass
1870s American Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Silver
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Metal
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Brass
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Porcelain
1880s French Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Plaster, Wood
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Brass
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Marble
1820s American Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Brass
1810s Italian Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood, Paper
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Metal
1830s Italian Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Metal
1880s American Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Iron
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Poplar
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood, Paint
Late 19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Brass
1880s French Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Brass
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Canvas, Paper
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Plaster
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Metal
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Canvas, Giltwood
Late 19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Brass
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Metal, Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Porcelain, Wood
1890s Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Cotton
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood, Paper
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Brass
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Gold Plate, Silver, Bronze
19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
19th Century Austrian Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Giltwood
Mid-19th Century North American Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Slate
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Creamware
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Creamware
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Bronze
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Creamware
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Maiolica, Majolica
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Mahogany
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Bronze
19th Century Swiss Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Metal
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper