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.
1
97
to
22
51
40
97
97
97
333
198
97
88
68
51
25
22
19
17
17
10
8
7
4
4
2
33
97
74
25
12
15
21
1
2
1
3
3
7
4
2
Height
to
Width
to
43
34
18
18
14
83
39
14
11
10
2
1
1
1
1
Style: Neoclassical
Period: 19th Century
Set of Three Italian Early 19th Neo-Classical St. Neapolitan Gouaches
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A remarkable and complete set of three Italian early 19th neo-classical st. Neapolitan gouaches. Each charming gouache displays beautiful vivid colors and striking scenes of gods and goddesses...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Wood
Pair of French 19th Century Neo-Classical St. Ormolu and Ebony Wall Plaques
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A beautiful and most decorative pair of French 19th century Neo-Classical st. ormolu and Ebony decorative wall plaques. Each wall decor retains its original rectangular mottled Ebony...
Category
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Ormolu
William Henry Chandler Pastel, Cottage in an Autumn Landscape
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
William Henry Chandler (1854-1928) Pastel, a cottage in an autumn landscape, signed "Chandler" on lower right. Pastel on paper in period mahogan...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Paper
Italian 19th Century Big Size Florence Architectural Hand-Colored Print
Located in Scandicci, Florence
"Porta della Badia di Firenze - Studi"
A rare extra-large print, printed on engraving paper with an antique star press and watercolored by hand representing an antique staircase...
Category
1840s Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Paper
Thorvaldsen Neoclassical Roundels - Denmark, c. 1825
Located in Kinderhook, NY
Beautiful pair of c. 1825 repoussé sheet-brass roundels depicting Danish sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen's 'Day' and 'Night'. As opposites they represent the two halves of a day, and to...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Brass
Italian 19th Century Big Size Florence Architectural Hand-Colored Print
Located in Scandicci, Florence
"Porta nel Vestibolo dell'antica Università dei Lanaioli - Studio al Vero del Capitello"
A rare extra-large print, printed on engraving paper with an antique star press and watercolored by hand representing an antique capital...
Category
1840s Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Paper
Antique Indonesian Sculpture
Located in Rochester, NY
Exotic carved teak sculpture. The sentinel with his sword drawn. 19th century architectural artifact.
Category
19th Century Indonesian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Wood, Teak, Hardwood
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
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
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
Italian 19th Century Big Size Florence Architectural Hand-Colored Print
Located in Scandicci, Florence
"Cammino - Casa nel Chiasso dei Davanzati"
A rare extra-large print, printed on engraving paper with an antique star press and watercolored by hand representing an antique firepla...
Category
1840s Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Paper
Large Custom Framed 1857 U.S. Coast Survey of the Chesapeake Bay
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An antique 1850's nautical map with hand-painted color accents entitled “Chesapeake Bay; Sheet no. 2: Head of the Bay to the Mouth of the Potomac River”....
Category
1850s American Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Paper
Italian 19th Century Big Size Florence Architectural Hand-Colored Print
Located in Scandicci, Florence
A rare extra-large print, printed on engraving paper with an antique star press and watercolored by hand representing an antique capital. The capital's...
Category
1840s Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Paper
Italian 19th Century Big Size Architectural Watercolor with Black Gold Frame
Located in Scandicci, Florence
Rare extra-large (cm 59 x 85) antique watercolor from a collection of architectural details of Florence monuments painted in Italy in the mid-19th century.
Black mat with gold hand ...
Category
1840s Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Gold Leaf
Italian 19th Century Big Size Florence Architectural Hand-Colored Print
Located in Scandicci, Florence
"Casa del Chiasso de Davanzati - Studi"
A rare extra-large print, printed on engraving paper with an antique star press and watercolored by hand representing an antique palazzo's ...
Category
1840s Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Paper
John James Audubon "The Little Owl, " 1834 Havell Edition in Renaissance Frame
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Created as part of John James Audubon's "The Birds of North America," the single greatest work on ornithology ever produced, this rare print of "The Little Owl, Strix Acadica" is presented in its original full elephant folio size.
Audubon traveled extensively throughout the young United States recording every then known species of bird in 435 plates, each in their true to life scale. From the very rare Havell edition...
Category
1830s American Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Glass, Giltwood, Paper
Pair of English William Hamilton Greco-Roman Engravings
Located in Rio Vista, CA
19th century pair of English Sir William Hamilton Greco-Roman neoclassical hand-colored engravings. Head of a woman profile made in the Grand Tour style. Hamilton was British Ambassa...
Category
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Paper, Wood, Glass
2 Antique Rome Italy Color Engravings St Andrea Church Piazza Turtle Fountain
Located in Dayton, OH
Set of two antique colored engravings featuring some of the Splendors of Rome – One city street featuring the Church of Saint Andrea and one...
Category
19th Century 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
Italian 19th Century Big Size Watercolor with Black and Gold Frame
Located in Scandicci, Florence
Rare extra-large (cm 59 x 85) antique watercolor representing a coat of arms and coming from a collection of architectural details of Florence monuments painted in Italy in the mid-1...
Category
1840s Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Gold Leaf
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
Gilt Framed Sèvres Bisque Plaque with Cornelian Cabochons and Gilt Bronze Mounts
Located in Norwood, NJ
Gilt framed 19th century Sèvres bisque plaque depicting cupid and zodiac with cornelian cabochons and gilt bronze mounts. Sèvres bisque rondel medallion ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Stone, Gold Plate, Bronze
Italian 19th Century Big Size Watercolor with Black and Gold Frame
Located in Scandicci, Florence
Rare extra large (cm 59 x 85) antique watercolor representing a coat of arms and coming from a collection of architectural details of Florence monuments painted in Italy in the mid-1...
Category
1840s Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Gold Leaf
Audubon's "Little Owl, "1834 Havell Edition in Gilt 19th Century Frame
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Created as part of John James Audubon's "The Birds of North America," the single greatest work on ornithology ever produced, this fabulous print of "The Little Owl, Strix Acadica" is presented in a magnificent Renaissance Revival frame.
Audubon traveled extensively throughout the United States recording every then known species of bird in 435 plates, each in their true-to-life scale. From the very rare Havell edition...
Category
1830s English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Gesso, Giltwood, Paper
Print French 19th Century Black and White France
Located in New York, NY
Print French 19th Century Black and White France. A copper print made during the 19th century in France Framed in a blackened wooden frame.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Italian Gilt Wood and Painted Floral Oval Dressing - Shaving Mirror, Circa 1820
Located in Hollywood, SC
Italian gilt and painted oval dressing - shaving mirror with decorative scrolled floral cartouche, flanking bell flowers, interior decorative lambs tongue frame resting on acanthus carved step back...
Category
1820s Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Gesso, Glass, Wood, Paint
Italian 19C Big Architectural Hand-coloured Print with Black and Gold Frame
Located in Scandicci, Florence
Rare extra-large (cm 59 x 85) antique watercolour of capital from a collection of architectural details of Florence monuments painted in Italy in the middle of 19th Century.
Black ma...
Category
1840s Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Gold Leaf
Royal Vienna Porcelain Charger with Theatre Theme
Located in London, GB
This beautiful charger was created by the famous Royal Vienna porcelain manufactory in Austria. Founded in 1718, the factory was one of the first to create hard-paste porcelain in Eu...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Glass, Giltwood, Porcelain
Pair Italian Carved Marble Panels, 19th Century
Located in Cypress, CA
Impressive pair of large 19th century Italian neoclassical style beautifully hand carved white marble round wall panel medallions of two adorable cupi...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Marble, Wrought Iron
American Oil Framed Landscape on Academy Board, Hudson Valley, Circa 1820
Located in Hollywood, SC
American school oil landscape on academy board in the original gold gilt molded frame. Landscape depicts Hudson Valley with mountains in the background, trees in the foreground and a...
Category
1820s American Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Giltwood
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
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
Botanical Still Life with Insects, Continental, Early 19th Century
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
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 Neoclassical Scenes on Paper with Custom Colored with Gild Detail Frame
Located in Carmel, CA
This is a handsome pair of neoclassical prints on paper. The buff matting has a gold bead and the custom frame is hand colored with a gilded bevel edge.
Category
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Glass, Wood, Paper
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
Pair of rectangular porcelain plates with antique scenes, early 19th century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of rectangular plates in porcelain representing antique scenes on cartouches with languished odalisques and nymphs and surrounded by putti in greyness. First frame in the medieval style and gold color; second one in celestial blue, reminding the color created by the chemist...
Category
1830s French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Ceramic, Porcelain
Pair Italian Specimen Marble, Porphyry, Polychrome and Gilt Wood Panels
Located in Newport Beach, CA
Pair of magnificent, hand painted, polychrome and gilt wood panels featuring specimen marble and porphyry geometric shapes with obelisks in center. Gi...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Marble, Porphyry
Neoclassical Cast Iron Relief of Day by Bertel Thorvaldsen
Located in Stamford, CT
The original reliefs night and day were executed by Thorvaldsen in 1815. Day personified flies actively across the sky with her head held high. She looks over her shoulder and fixes ...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Bronze
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.