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.
20th Century Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Glass, Wood, Paper
20th Century Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Glass, Wood, Paper
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Leather
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
20th Century Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Leather
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Silver Plate
Early 20th Century Greek Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Leather, Paper
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Fabric, Plexiglass, Wood
20th Century Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Brass
1930s American Vintage Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
20th Century French Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Giltwood
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood, Glass
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
20th Century Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
1980s Vintage Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Linen, Wood, Paint
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Metal
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Brass
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
1920s German Vintage Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Canvas, Paper
1910s British Vintage Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Glass, Wood
20th Century American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
20th Century Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Glass, Wood, Paper
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Acrylic
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
20th Century American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Marble, Brass, Bronze
20th Century Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
20th Century American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
20th Century American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
1910s Vintage Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Wool
1970s Unknown Vintage Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Gold
1990s American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
1940s Vintage Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Leather
Early 1900s Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Pewter
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
20th Century Chinese Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Metal
1990s Italian Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
Early 1900s German Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Silver
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Fabric, Paper
20th Century Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Carnelian, Brass
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Metal
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Metal, Brass
20th Century American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
20th Century American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Bronze