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
Period: 20th Century
Set of Four Neoclassical Urn Wall Panels
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Set of four vintage neoclassical wood plaques of different, but complimentary urns. All done on a black background with natural stone colored urns. Elegant wood frame with small corn...
Category
20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Wood, Paint
Antique Glazed Terracotta Panel of an Architect
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An antique glazed terracotta panel depicting an architect holding his masterpiece. This impressive panel displays detail and lustre making it a striking piece for any property. A dom...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Terracotta
Zabihi Collection Antique Persian Sarouk Ferehan Pictorial Animal Rug
Located in New York, NY
An early 20th Century Sarouk Ferehan Rug with an open-field pictorial animal design
Measures: 6'10'' x 9'
Category
20th Century Persian Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Wool
Wedgwood pink and white jasperware tray
By Wedgwood
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
Large Wedgwood jasperware tray, beautiful neoclassical style item decorated with white antique-style scenes picturing Psyche with Cupid around...
Category
20th Century English Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Ceramic, Stoneware
Set of 6 Wedgwood blue and white jasperware bread plates
By Wedgwood
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
Set of 6 Wedgwood jasperware trinket trays, beautiful neoclassical style item decorated with white antique-style scenes.
Second half of 20t...
Category
20th Century English Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Ceramic, Stoneware
Framed Needlepoint Chinoiserie Sailboat River Scene
Located in Jacksonville, FL
Vintage framed needlepoint features an intricate Asian river scene and a solid wood frame. Good condition with minor imperfections consistent with age, see photos for condition detai...
Category
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Plates Porcelain Noritake Japan Wall Decor 1977-80ss
By Noritake
Located in Bastogne, BE
Discontinued Noritake plates have multicolor image with Asian woman and man in center, with gold tone band and highlights.
Designed by: Kiyomi Akagi.
...
Category
1970s Japanese Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Porcelain
Plates Edwin Knowles Edna Hibel Christmas Collection Peaceful Kingdom 1989
By Edna Hibel
Located in Bastogne, BE
This lot includes three different plates, from 1985-89, the first plate collection created by Edna Hibel, produced by Knowles.
All plates have hand a...
Category
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Porcelain
Italian Provincial Deruta Hand Painted Faience Caduceus Pottery Wall Plate
By Deruta
Located in Elkhart, IN
A beautiful hand painted blue, cream, and yellow faience pottery wall plate featuring the caduceus. The caduceus is the staff carried by Hermes in Greek mythology and consequently by...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Faience, Pottery
Italian Provincial Deruta Hand Painted Faience Allegorical Pottery Wall Plate
By Deruta
Located in Elkhart, IN
A beautiful hand painted blue, cream, and green faience pottery wall plate featuring an allegorical scene of a man riding a horse with a bird on his arm.
By Cynthia Deruta
Italy, L...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Faience, Pottery
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
Set of Six Framed and Matted Duck Prints
Located in Locust Valley, NY
Gold framed and matted prints of 6 types of waterfowl with Latin Nomenclature.
Includes: Colymbus Septentrionalis (Red-Throated Loon), Anser Ferus (...
Category
20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Paint
Pair of Antique Pietra Dura Inlay Figural Plaques With Gilt Frame And Malachite
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions: Height: 9 1/4 in Width: 5 3/4 in Depth: 3/4 in
This vintage pair of Pietra Dura framed plaques is bound to bring a sense of sophisticat...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Lapis Lazuli, Marble, Malachite
Bing & Grøndahl, Three Wall Plaques in Bisquit After Thorvaldsen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Bing & Grøndahl, three wall plaques in bisquit after Thorvaldsen.
Motifs in relief.
1930s.
In excellent condition.
Marked.
First factory quality.
Dimensions: D 14.5 cm.
Category
1930s Danish Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Ceramic
Mid century vintage framed royal Copenhagen bisque medallions/Taglio’s
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a framed complementary pair of royal Copenhagen porcelain disc medallions. This pair of porcelain medallions are mounted on a natural linen background with a French country i...
Category
1970s German Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Porcelain
Mid century vintage framed royal Copenhagen bisque medallions/Taglio’s
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a framed complementary pair of royal Copenhagen porcelain disc medallions. This pair of porcelain medallions are mounted on a natural light in background with a French countr...
Category
1970s German Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Porcelain
Vintage Neoclassical French Porcelain Mont Saint Michel Wall Plate
Located in Elkhart, IN
A gorgeous vintage Neoclassical style wall plate from Mont Saint Michel featuring stylized dolphins, birds, swags, and a center crest
France, Circa 1960s
Measures: 10"W x .75"D x 1...
Category
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Porcelain
Pair Terracotta Neoclassical Bas-Relief Plaques Depicting Goddess and Angels
Located in New York, NY
Matched pair of bas-relief plaques in the neoclassical style, molded from terracotta or similar composition, depicting a goddes s among the clouds, surrounded by angels in flight.
Category
Mid-20th Century English Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Terracotta
Large Marine Painting of the Frigate Essex by Will Robedee
Located in Downingtown, PA
The Frigate Essex,
Signed Will B. Robedee
Painted September 30, 1976,
Oil on Canvas on Board,
The large framed painting on canvas applied to board depicts the Frigate Essex. The Es...
Category
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Paint
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
William Alexander Drake (Am., 1891-1979) OIl On Masonite Or Panel, House In Snow
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Oil painting on masonite or board.
Signed lower right. A charming country scene of a house in winter with a fence and bluish-white snow covered yard. Tall brown-green tress frame the...
Category
20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Masonite
Walt Disneys "Mickey's Trailer, 1938", Iconic Color Animation Cel
Located in Stockholm, SE
Walt Disney, "Mickey's Trailer, 1938". Celluloid (xenographic line, ink-enhanced hand painted). Stamped The Walt Disney Company. Numbered 52/500.
29.5 x 49 cm. Movie "Mickey's Trailer," was the second short film, out of 100, that was produced 1938. An icon film. Published by Disney Art Editions in 1994. A certificate of authenticity executed by The Walt Disney Company accompanies the lot. Provenance: Animation Art Gallery/Amsterdam, acquired in 1995.
An original production-used animation cel...
Category
1990s American Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Plastic, Paper
Vintage Bradford Exchange Titanic Collectable Plates Gift
Located in Pulborough, GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this Lovely Set Of 4 Titanic Plates.
These 'Queen of Ocean' plates were made circa 1999s, and they are highly colle...
Category
20th Century Central American Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Painted and Parcel Gilt Wall Urns
Located in New York, NY
A pair of elegant painted plaster wall urns with gold leaf accents. Painted in a soft grayish white, the urns feature lovely carved detail, including a small flame at the top. This p...
Category
20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Plaster
James Bama "the Drift on Skull Creek Pass", Limited Edition Numbered Lithograph
Located in Morristown, NJ
James Bama (American Artist, 1926-2022) "The Drift on Skull Creek Pass", offset print lithograph from the original photorealistic painting, pencil signed lower right and numbered 54/...
Category
1990s American Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Glass, Wood, Paper
Norman Rockwell "the Young Artist" Hand Signed Original Framed Lithograph
Located in Dayton, OH
"A large hand signed and numbered lithograph of “The Young Artist” by Norman Rockwell in original custom frame.
Original oil painting was created for The Saturday Evening Post’s June 4...
Category
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Paper
William Alexander Drake 'Am., 1891-1979' Pastel on Masonite, Gray House
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Unsigned, from the estate of the artist. A gray misty day with a house near a stream in the forest. It is illuminated by the sun streaking through the mist and onto the stream. Flowering foliage carpets the forest floor.
art 20 x 24...
Category
20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Wood
William Alexander Drake 'Am., 1891-1979' Oil on Masonite, Country Landscape
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Oil on masonite depicting a charming country landscape in summer.
Signed and dated 1938 lower left. The pale green and brown colored fields of a farmstead are separated by fences wi...
Category
20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Wood, Masonite
Neoclassical Wall Art Scenes in Gold and Blue, Set of 4
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful set of four (4) Neoclassical wall art scenes, circa mid-20th century, Europe. Set includes four different scenes with dark blue and gold octagonal wood frame, matting, pr...
Category
Mid-20th Century European Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Gold, Brass
Collectible Double Eagle Bicentennial Porcelain Plate 1973 Limited Edition
Located in North Hollywood, CA
US Mint Bicentennial Double Eagle plate symbolizing 200th years of the United States.
It is made of fine bone china with 24k gold in a cobalt blue box ...
Category
20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Porcelain
2 Vintage Henry Koehler Signed Offset Lithographs Equestrian Jockey Horse Racing
By Henry Koehler
Located in Dayton, OH
Haggin & Olin Silks"" & ""Michael Phipps Silks"" by Henry Koehler
a pair of signed limited edition offset lithograph after the original painting by Henry Koehler. (American, b. 19...
Category
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Paper
Antique Fruit and Flower Still Life Wall Hanging on Wood with Campaign Brackets
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A beautiful antique still life print of fruit displayed on a table. This unique piece is created from wood, and features a paper print under glass. The p...
Category
20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Metal
Pair of Italian Garland Friezes in Gilded Wood
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
O/2799 -Pair of Italian garland friezes in gilded wood. They can be hung under two wall sconces, for decoration; also for mirror or other Your id...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Fruitwood
Midcentury Reynold Weidenaar National Cathedral Washington DC Etching
Located in Dayton, OH
Midcentury 1940s etching of the National Cathedral, Washington, D.C. (1943) pencil signed by Reynold Weidenaar.
Reynold Henry Weidenaar
(American, 1915-1985)
National Cathedral, Washington D.C., 1943
etching
signed and titled in pencil lower margin, signed in plate
edition of 25
“The following is from Fred W McCraw, art writer and artist. McCraw served during Weidenaar's last years as a consultant to the artist. Then, for several years after that, he also assisted the artist's family in managing Weidenaar's estate:
Reynold Weidenaar was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan on 11/17/1915, and died there on 4/23/1985. He lived most of his life in west Michigan, with brief residencies away in Wisconsin, Kansas City, Missouri and in old Mexico...
Category
1940s Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Paper
1980s American School Style Interior Scene of a Sitting Room Watercolor Painting
Located in Morristown, NJ
American School (20th c.), Interior scene, watercolor on paper, signed and dated "Wisner, '81" lower right. A charming, colorful and detailed representation of a beautiful room-scape. It makes me want to grab a good book and snuggle up by the fire.
The framing is by The House of Heydenryk...
Category
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Glass, Wood, Paint, Paper
"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
Museum Quality, Italian Pietra Dura, Semi-Precious, Still Life Stones Painting
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is an amazing work in semi precious stones in Hardstones or Pietra Dura work. This is a Museum quality work. Framed measures 21 x 24 inches. In back has a partial detail of ston...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Precious Stone
English Traditional Framed Ceramic and Brass Decorative Horse Plate or Catchall
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
An English Traditional ceramic equestrian horse plate with a brass frame. The ceramic plate in the center features a traditional hunt scene with three hors...
Category
20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Brass
Antique Fine Quality Charcoal Colored Portrait of Gentleman
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Exceptional antique framed portrait of a gentleman in a suit. Features a wooden frame.
Category
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Glass, Wood, Paper
Vintage Pair Framed Cut Paper Cameo Silhouette Portraits, U.S., Early 20th C.
Located in Chatham, ON
Vintage pair cut paper cameo silhouette portraits - the hand cut portraits glued down to a cream color background - featuring facing profiles of a young man and woman - fine quality ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Gold Leaf
Rare Set of Four Framed Antique Boxing and Sports Collectible Cards
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Four groups of colored paper collectible sports cards mounted on blue paper pierced in the margin for placing in a notebook. Now mounted on off white card and custom framed.
The cards include images of boxers Al Kaufman, Mike Sullivan, Gans and Nelson and many others. Along with images of track and field and swim athletes. Some faded black printed faded paper ones with portraits of boxers e.g Jack...
Category
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Paper
American Indian Chiefs Set 50 Framed Cigarette Cards by Allen & Ginter Reprints
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a set of 50 reprints of the now classic "American Indian Chiefs" Cigarette Cards, produced originally by Allen & Ginter in 1888. This set is a ...
Category
20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Glass, Hardwood, Paper
Robert Bell Fred Millar Watercolour Print Cupid and My Campaspe Play'd Cards
By Robert Anning Bell
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning original hand colour LTD Edition print No 3 signed in Pencil by Robert Anning Bell and Fred Millar Se Er Imp ...
Category
20th Century French Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Paper
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
Rare Antique Neoclassical Carved Wood Bas Low Relief Homer Harry Bates Plaque
Located in Dayton, OH
Rare antique carved wood reproduction of a clay relief sculpture by Harry Bates, depicting the Greek poet Homer, playing the lyre for two Muses. “The famed...
Category
Early 20th Century European Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Hardwood
Antique Dance of Apollo w Muses Original Oil Painting After Baldassare Peruzzi
Located in Dayton, OH
A large antique original oil painting re-imagining “The Dance of Apollo with the Muses” by Baldassare Peruzzi. “Baldassare Tommaso Peruzzi (7 March 1481 – 6 January 1536) was an Ital...
Category
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Paint, Fabric
Wedgwood Porcelain Plaques of Ships, the Clipper Ship, Great Republic & Clipper
By Wedgwood
Located in Downingtown, PA
Wedgwood porcelain plaques of ships-
The clipper ship, great republic & clipper ship Hurricane
1976-1981
The two painted plaques depict on one The...
Category
1970s English Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Porcelain
Signed painting on Board of the Aragon Region in Spain , 1931
Located in Redding, CT
Signed Southwestern painting of the Aragon Region in Spain.
Dated 1931. Oil on board, gilt solid wooden antique frame.
Category
1930s American Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Wood, Masonite, Paint
Wedgwood Porcelain Plaques of the Ships the Great Republic and the Dashing Wave
By Wedgwood
Located in Downingtown, PA
Wedgwood Porcelain plaques of ships
The Great Republic and The Dashing Wave
1976-1981
The pair of Wedgwood porcelain painted plaques eac...
Category
1970s Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Porcelain
Four Framed Pencil Signed and Numbered Etchings, Finely Framed and Matted
Located in Stamford, CT
Four framed pencil Signed and Numbered Etchings. Finely framed and matted. A simply lovely group of wall decorations. Each hand drawn, signed and numb...
Category
1960s Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Glass, Wood, Paper
'Slow School Zone' Sign, Coca-Cola x Traffic Cop Original, 1959
Located in Saint ouen, FR
'Slow school zone' sign - Coca-Cola x traffic cop
original
1959
Enamelled metal plate
4 small holes to attach the sign
Measures: 30.5 x 20 cm.
Category
1950s Central American Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Metal
Still Life Watercolor in Blue and White
Located in Atlanta, GA
A beautifully composed still life watercolor of blue and white petite floral print wallpaper in the background layered with a copper plate, blue and white porcelain pitcher...
Category
20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Wood, Paint, Paper
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 Prints Finely Framed L'Hiver et Printemps
Located in Stamford, CT
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
Fine Romance Hollywood Broadway: the Magic, the Mayhem, Hardcover Table Book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
A Fine Romance Hollywood Broadway: The Magic, The Mayhem, The Musicians
By Denkert, Darcie.
New York: Watson-Guptill Publications, 2005. 360 pages.
Darcie covers the love/hate rel...
Category
20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Paper
Mid Century Modernist Painting by New York Artist Randy Harter
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Vibrant blue with a man looking to the sky beside a house. Alfred Hitchcock style with the house from Psycho comes to mind. Excellent artistic ability.
Size is framed 46 x 36 x 2.5.
Category
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Canvas, Paint
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
Classical Ballet Dancers Large Oil Painting on Canvas
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Oil painting on canvas classical ballet dancers.
Russian style classical ballet oil painting.
3 couples of ballerinas and ballet male dancers wearin...
Category
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Canvas
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.