Neoclassical Decorative Art
NEOCLASSICAL STYLE
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.
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Style: Neoclassical
Vintage Pair of Romantic Wedgewood Figural Art
By Wedgewood
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Romantic pair of horizontal framed wedgewood figural art in gorgeous color green with cream maidens with wonderful poses. The framing while aged compliments the art having gold velv...
Category
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Porcelain, Giltwood
Pair of Neoclassical Italian Painted Wall Panels with Opposing Birds
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage pair of Neoclassical wall panels featuring opposing birds in their cages surrounded by foliage. They are on wood panels with gilded frame.
Category
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Wood
Italian Contemporary Print of Ancient Profile with Round Gold Wooden Frame
Located in Scandicci, Florence
One of two etching printed botanical print with gold leaf background hand-gilded and with a round golden gouache frame burnished wiyh stone.
Each print is entirely printed in Italy...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Gold Leaf
19th C, Academy Student Drawing, Pencil on Paper
Located in Leuven , BE
Drawing is framed, signed and dated.
Category
19th Century Belgian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Paper
Mitch Billis Oil on Canvas Still Life
By Mitch Billis
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A sill life of glass vase with pink peonies and green apples in a bowl, all on a table with greenery. Signed lower right. In a fine gilt frame.
Category
20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Paint
Pair Antique Neoclassical Bronze Bas Relief Wall Plaques
Located in New York, NY
Pair of antique (late 19th century) neoclassical patinated bronze bas relief plaques, attributed to Christofle, allegorical of winter and autumn.
Winter shown with three cherubs aro...
Category
20th Century French Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Bronze
Pair of 18th French Hand Colored Engravings of a Frisian Man, Woman and Child
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of depicting 'Homme and Femme de la Frise' or 'Frisian Man and Woman', people of the Frisian Islands off the coast of the Netherlands. The first showing the man in a wonderful n...
Category
Early 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Paper
Barack Obama Historic Victory Collectible Plate Limited Edition 2008
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Historic Victory Limited Edition Commemorative Plate Obama.
This Historic Victory Collectible Plate: Change Has Come.
Barack Obama Decorative Plate ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Porcelain
Large Pair of Circular, Patinated Bronze Relief Plaques of Night and Day
Located in London, GB
A pair of patinated bronze antique plaques of Night and Day
French, Late 19th Century
80cm in diameter, 5cm in depth
Modelled after Bertel Thorvaldsen's iconic 'Night and Day' relie...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Bronze
Louis Vuitton Art Print in Vintage Italian Rustic Wood Frame
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Framed French Louis Vuitton Art Print in an Italian 19th Century Frame
Louis Vuitton Print from Paris, France, framed in a one of a kind circ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Wood, Paper, Gesso, Linen, Giltwood
Pair French 18th Century Hand Colored Engravings of Pipe Smokers
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of hand colored engravings by Jacques Grasset de Sainte-Sauveur, 1797 Paris publication, 'Costumes de Different Pays', (Costumes of Different Countries). This pair depicting two...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Paper
Set of Large 19th C. French Gilded Copper Repousse Chargers of Mars and Minerva
Located in Dallas, TX
Possibly inspired by a 1771 painting by Jacques-Louis David, this set of large gilded copper chargers depict the Roman deities, Mars and Minerva. The painting by David (Minerva Fight...
Category
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Metal, Copper
Neoclassical Style 20th Century Plaster Wall Plaque
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A reclaimed neoclassical plaster wall plaque with a stunning painted matte black frame.
In a large landscape form, this handcrafted plaque is decorated in relief depicting a romantic scene of cherubs or putti accompanied by a dog while they gather around a fire in an enchanted woodland...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Plaster, Wood
Grand Canyon Watercolor American School, circa 1930
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
Grand Canyon watercolor, American school, circa 1930, watercolor on paper, framed under glass with matting, unsigned inscribed on verso "Grand Canyon GW".
Paper size 5 1/8"-inches 7...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Paper
Reclaimed 20th Century Neoclassical Style Plaster Wall Plaque
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A reclaimed mid 20th century plaster wall plaque with a stunning painted black frame.
In a large landscape form, this handcrafted neoclassical style plaque is decorated in relief de...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Plaster, Wood
Plaque: Bacchanalian Triumph in Black Basalt, Wedgwood C1800
By Wedgwood
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
One of the major tablets produced by Wedgwood, this is "Sacrifice", from the pair "Bacchanalian Triumph", after the original by Clodion. These large early tablets are scarce, as they...
Category
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Stoneware
Italian Roman Pompeiian Style Panels
Located in Queens, NY
10 Italian Roman Neo-classic (mid-18th Century) panels decorated in Pompeiian style faux marble inlaid patterns. (PRICED EACH)
Category
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Marble
Pair of Neoclassical Landscape Drawings, French School, Late 18th Century
Located in Kittery Point, ME
Depicting a pastoral scene and a hillside view.
Ink on paper.
One is signed Waudelaincourt fecit
Antoine Hubert Wandelaincourt, French (1731-1819).
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Paper
Reclaimed Neoclassical Style Plaster Wall Plaque
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A reclaimed neoclassical style plaster wall plaque with a stunning painted matte black frame.
In a large landscape form, this handcrafted plaque is decorated in relief depicting a romantic like scene of four playful cherubs or putti with doves in an enchanted woodland...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Plaster, Wood
Swedish Neoclassical Giltwood Cartel
Located in Kittery Point, ME
The Arabic numeral dial signed A.M. Blomberg, Stockholm, the case elaborately carved with opposing cornucopias, birds and branches, raised on a bracket decorated with shells and acan...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Giltwood
Pair of Prints Finely Framed L'Hiver et Printemps
Located in Manhasset, NY
A pair of prints finely framed L'Hiver et Printemps. Each in a fine gilt wood frame set in a ebony larger frame.
Category
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Wood, Paper
American Classical Period Scissor-Cut Silhouette by Auguste Edouart, Dated 1845
By Auguste Edouart
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A very good 19th century American Classical Period / Empire Period scissor-cut silhouette by Auguste Edouart, depicting the full length figure of a prominent New York gentleman with spectacles in hand, gazing out the window from a partially hand-coloured parlour interior. Set within its original & highly figured bird's eye maple frame & burnished gilt fillet.
Signed & dated lower left, 'Aug. Edouart, fecit 1845, 369 Broadway, New York'.
The reverse referencing a family provenance purportedly associated with a collection having once belonged to a Civil War officer by the name of Nathan Hale...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Paper, Birdseye Maple
Contemporary Italian hand coloured Roman vase print with handcrafted black frame
Located in Scandicci, Florence
Extra large Roman vase printed on a hand press on 100% cotton engraving paper.
Completely handpainted with a cream wash, umber highlights, and matte black details.
Light brown mat...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Wood, Paper
Fran Larsen Signed Southwestern Art Watercolor Painting and Frame
By Fran Larsen
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Fran Larsen (signed) watercolor with matching painted frame which is an extension of her art. Signed Larsen. Ready to hang on your wall.
Category
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Paint
Royal Copenhagen. Amor and Hymen spins the thread of life. Biscuit relief after
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Royal Copenhagen. Amor and Hymen spin the thread of life.
Biscuit relief after Bertel Thorvaldsen.
Rare motif.
Approximately from 1880.
Marked.
First factory quality.
In excellent c...
Category
1880s Danish Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Ceramic
Early 19th Century Carved Neoclassical Frieze Panel
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An early 19th century English carved limewood neoclassical frieze panel, circa 1800. This decorative wooden panel is over a metre long and features five putti or cherubs carved in th...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Wood
Pair of Antique Italian circa 1790 Carved and Gilt Neoclassical Panels
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Notable pair of decorative over-door panels dating from the height of the neoclassical period in all original very good condition. One with a Christies 1967 label on verso. A label i...
Category
Late 18th Century European Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Wood
"The EL, New York City" Impressionist Busy Train Station Oil Painting by Willett
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Impressionist New York City bustling train station city-scene depicting the "EL" train with pedestrians in a starry, yet energetic way. Busy New Yorker’s daily travels with the sun setting on the elevated train. From early childhood to the present, Willett, a natural talent carried on the tradition in the arts. Currently as a painter in the New Hope, Bucks County Impressionist...
Category
20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Acrylic
Italian 19th Century Neoclassical St. Decorative Wall Plaque of a Roman Emperor
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A powerful and high quality Italian 19th century neo-classical st. giltwood, white Carrara marble, faux painted marble and patinated wood decorative wall plaque of a Roman Emperor. T...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Carrara Marble
A Monumental Italian Neoclassic Triumphal Military Wall Plaque
Located in Queens, NY
Roman fruitwood trophy wall plaque carved with the forms of armor, halberds, and other military regalia.
Category
18th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Fruitwood
Set of 2 Grand Tour Marble Medallions of Roman Emperors
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A set of two Grand Tour marble oval medallions depicting roman emperors, salvaged from an ex private British collection.
Dating to the 18th century, the detailed elements, such as t...
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Marble, Statuary Marble
Bing and Grøndahl after Thorvaldsen, Antique Biscuit Wall Plaque with Putti
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Bing and Grøndahl after Thorvaldsen.
Antique biscuit wall plaque with putti and swan in relief.
1870s / 80s.
Measures: 15.5 x 12 cm.
In excel...
Category
1870s Danish Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Ceramic
Neoclassical French Square Carved-Wood Plaque w/Early or Original Finish
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French carved-wood wall plaque from the early 19th century. This antique wall decoration from France features the Neoclassical stylings of swirling leaves and florals splaying outw...
Category
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Wood
Drawing, Flemish School, 18th Century
Located in Kittery Point, ME
Ancient Ruins with Strollers.
Brown wash and graphite.
Category
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Paper
B&G Bing & Grondahl Biscuit Plate after Thorvaldsen, Late 1800s
Located in Copenhagen, DK
B&G Bing & Grondahl biscuit plate after Thorvaldsen,
late 1800s.
Measures: 14.5 cm. x 11.5 cm. 1 cm. deep.
Stamped.
In good condition, 1st factory q...
Category
Late 19th Century Danish Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
1900s French Bronze Medallions
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of four. Dore bronze. Profiles are bisque on velvet. Finely chased details. Possibly 19th century.
Category
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Bronze
French 19th Century Neo-Classical St. Plaster Plaque
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exceptional French 19th century Neo-Classical st. plaster plaque. This extremely elegant and most decorative Parisian wall decor depicts a grouping of Mythological figures and God...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Plaster
Very Chic Set of Large Engravings After Nicolas Poussin
By Gelée
Located in Jesteburg, DE
A pair of engravings by Antoine-François Gelée (1796-1860);
from the series "Travaux d'Hercule, composés par N. Poussin pour la décoration de la Grande Galerie du Louvre...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Paper
Botanical Still Life Painting on Vellum with Insects, Continental
Located in Downingtown, PA
A fine continental botanical still life painting with insects,
possibly Scandinavian,
Gouache and oil on vellum,
early 19th century.
The painting is stunning. The painting with...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Paint
1970s Villeroy & Boch Plate Pâte-sur-pâte in Turquoise, Christmas Scene
By Albrecht Dürer, Villeroy & Boch
Located in Andernach, DE
Limited edition by renowned German porcelain art and tableware makers Villeroy & Boch, Mettlach since 1748.
A Christmas Wall Plate in Jasperware (or also Pâte-sur-pâte) technique in...
Category
1970s German Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Porcelain
J. Stobart Lithograph "Mystic Seaport. "The Charles L. Morgan" at Chubb's Wharf
By John Stobart
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Marked mystic seaport Member's Edition #136/736 on the frame's plaque. Celebrating the 150th anniversary of the ship. Includes a framed swatch of the sh...
Category
20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Wood
Mid-Century Royal Trust Company Framed Wall Plaque with Indigenous Chief
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This wall plaque is unsigned with respect to the maker, but it is presumed to have been made in Canada in approximately 1950 in a traditional style. The plaque is composed of a very ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Canadian Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Spelter
Pair of Late 18th Century Fragments
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of wall hangings, each antique fragment having painted and gilded frame with leaf detail, surrounding a classical carved giltwood face surmo...
Category
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Giltwood, Wood
19th C, Academy Student Drawing, Pencil on Paper
Located in Leuven , BE
Framed, signed and dated.
Category
19th Century Belgian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Paper
Large Neoclassical Drawing by Edouard Pingret, French School
By Edouard Pingret
Located in Kittery Point, ME
River Scene, "Les Bords du Cher à Poitiers"
Signed bottom right and situated bottom left.
Edouard Henri Theophile Pingret (Saint Quentin 178...
Signed bottom right and situated bottom left.
Edouard Henri Theophile Pingret (Saint Quentin 178...
Category
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Paper
Antique Stained Glass Window Hanging of Neoclassical Figure
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An antique stained glass panel of a neoclassical figure thought to be a tradesman with his tools. Dating to circa 1780, this stained glass panel has stood the test of time showcasing...
Category
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Lead
German 19th Century Neo-Classical St. Mettlach Porcelain Charger
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning German 19th century Neo-Classical st. Mettlach porcelain charger. The most elegant and wonderfully executed charger displays intricately detailed personages all draped in fine flowing period attire. At the center is a beautiful seated maiden with a gentleman placing her shoes on her feet while surrounded by lovely younger maidens to the right, a gentleman and lady...
Category
19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Porcelain
19th C, Academy Student Drawing, Pencil on Paper
Located in Leuven , BE
Drawing framed, dated and signed.
Category
19th Century Belgian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Paper
English 19th c. Neo-Classical St. Wedgwood, White Jasperware & Giltwood Plaque
By Wedgwood
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A beautiful and very unique English 19th century Neo-Classical st. Wedgwood and white Jasperware plaque of Apollo, framed within an Italian patinated and Giltwood frame. This action-...
Category
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Porcelain, Giltwood
Italian Contemporary Roman Vase Black Gold Big Print w/ Mirror Wood Frame 1 of 2
Located in Scandicci, Florence
One of two etching printed Ancient Roman Vase BIG print with gold leaf background hand-gilded and enhanced with a square frame made of mirrors and gilded with gouache and burnished w...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Gold Leaf
Italian 19th Century Neo-Classical St. Prints In Their Original Walnut Frames
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A beautiful set of eight Italian 19th century neo-classical st. prints in their original walnut frames. Each wonderfully executed print displays finely detailed floral and foliate de...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Walnut
2 French Neoclassical Style Red Lacquer Wall Hanging Panels Gold Urns & Figures
Located in Dayton, OH
Impressive pair of late 20th century wall hanging panels. Features Neoclassical and French styling. The screen is red lacquered with a marbled appearance and engraved in gold designs with ornate urns, acanthus accents and Centaurs (half man half horse...
Category
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Hardwood, Lacquer
Pair of Neo-Classical Painted Canvas Panels
Located in Hudson, NY
The pair of vintage painted canvas panels, shown here, are notable for their beauty and condition. Depicting a bucolic outdoor scene, the imagery ...
Category
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Brass
Italian Pietra Dura Sample Panel, Probably Florence, 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The samples include porphyry, breccia and various other marble examples, framed in slate.
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Marble
Pair of Vintage French Portrait Wood Frames
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Original Vintage Condition
Materials: Gold-Leaf Guildwood
Style: French Neoclassical
Category
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Wood
Antique 19Th C Neoclassical Stone Lava Cameo Relief Plaque
Located in New York, NY
An antique 19th-century Western European hand-carved lava rock bas-relief plaque. The piece represents Venus on a swan-drawn chariot. Unsigned. Black velvet mat, wooden frame. Collec...
Category
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Lava
Vintage Advertising “SODAS” Metal Embossed Sign
Located in New York, NY
Great looking rare original large size embossed metal advertising “SODAS” sign..Looks like it came from an old country mom and pop store . All metal with a...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Metal
Pair of Antique Framed Neoclassical Tile Panels
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A pair of antique framed tile panels depicting decorative Neoclassical portraits.
Dating to circa 1870, each plaque is carefully hand painted in a tonal blue on a vivid ochre backgr...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Clay, Wood
Neoclassical decorative art for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Neoclassical decorative art for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage decorative art created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, porcelain and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Neoclassical decorative art made in a specific country, there are England, Europe, and United Kingdom pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original decorative art, popular names associated with this style include François Boucher, John James Audubon, Giovanni Battista Piranesi, and Sir William Hamilton. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for decorative art differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,875 and tops out at $2,500 while the average work can sell for $2,188.