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
Italian 19th Century Big Size Florence Architectural Hand-Coloured Print
Located in Scandicci, Florence
A rare extra-large print, printed on engraving paper with an antique star press and watercoloured by hand representing an antique capital. The capital'...
Category
1840s Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Paper
Italian Neoclassical Giltwood Decorated Boiserie Overdoor Panel
Located in Nashville, TN
With a faux ( not real ) marble central inset .The crème ground with raised gilded carvings of stylized winged sphinx , Nike , ribbons , Ram’s heads , rosettes and garlands or festo...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Giltwood
Pair of framed black basalt medallions, Wedgwood, circa 1880
By Wedgwood
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
A pair of black basalt medallions, depicting Venus & Cupid, as Day and Night. Day shows Venus and Cupid with symbols of victory; night shows Venus offering poppies, which are symboli...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Stoneware
19th-C. Water Gilt Framed American Landscape Oil On Canvas Of Mill On A River
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a late 19th century American oil on canvas depicting a scenic river scene with and old mill and pine trees. There is no visible signature. The water gilt frame is lovely with...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Paint, Giltwood, Canvas
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
Jacobus Houbraken Set of Seven Portraits From Heads of Illustrious
Located in New York, NY
Jacobus Houbraken (Dutch, 1698-1780), Seven Portraits From Heads of Illustrious Persons of Great Britain
Each an engraving on laid or wove paper, published 1743 to 1752, includes Ge...
Category
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Paper
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
Pair of Antique Plaques Depicting Neoclassical Scenes
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A pair of antique plaques depicting Neoclassical scenes. Originally one plaque, this pair has been split into two over the course of time.
Made from plaster, this pair have a bronze...
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Plaster
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
Bing & Grøndahl. Amor makes a net. Biscuit relief after Bertel Thorvaldsen.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Bing & Grøndahl. Amor makes a net. Biscuit relief after Bertel Thorvaldsen.
Approximately from 1880.
Copy of relief modelled in Rome in 1831.
Marked.
First factory quality.
In excel...
Category
1880s Danish Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Ceramic
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
A Set of Four Late 18th Century / Early 19th Century Allegorical Paintings
Located in Dallas, TX
A set of four (4) Late 18th Century / Early 19th Century allegorical paintings amongst landscapes amongst classical ruins, relived frames contemporary pictures most likely. Italian.
...
Category
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Canvas
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
Silk fan in shrine from the late 1800s
Located in Milano, IT
The Italian silk fan in a vitrine from the late 1800s is a true masterpiece of craftsmanship and elegance. Housed in a beautiful alloy case, this antique fan...
Category
1890s Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Silk, 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
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 Contemporary Print of Ancient Profile with Mirror and Gold Wood Frame
Located in Scandicci, Florence
One of two etching printed ancient profile print with gold leaf background hand-gilded and enhanced with a square frame made of mirrors and gilded with gouache and burnished with a s...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Gold Leaf
Italian Contemporary Print of Ancient Profile with Mirror and Gold Wood Frame
Located in Scandicci, Florence
One of two etching printed ancient profile print with gold leaf background hand-gilded and enhanced with a square frame made of mirrors and gilded with gouache and burnished with a s...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Gold Leaf
Contemporary Italian Hand Printed Antique Roman Emperor Bust " Settimio Severo"
Located in Scandicci, Florence
Beautiful reproduction of the most famous illustration made by Giovanni Battista Leonetti ("Giov Batta Leonetti incise Roma") depicting the bust of the Roman emperor Septimius Severus.
This extra large print...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Paper
Contemporary Italian Hand Printed Antique Roman Emperor Bust "Nerone"
Located in Scandicci, Florence
Beautiful reproduction of the most famous illustration made by Pietro Fontana ("Pietro Fontana incise Roma") depicting the bust of the Roman emperor Septimius Severus.
This extra la...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Paper
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
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
18th Century Italian Trompe L'Oeil Painting On Canvas Of Musical Instruments
Located in Stamford, CT
Lovely 18th century Italian framed painting on canvas of a group of musical instruments, including a French horn, lute, violin and pan flute, all hanging from a ribbon with a big bow...
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Canvas, Oak
Italian Contemporary Print of Neoclassical Profile with Round Black Wooden Frame
Located in Scandicci, Florence
One of two beautiful rinascimental woman profile print with black background, framed by a delicate taupe passpartout and a round black frame.
Each print is entirely printed in Ital...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Wood, Paper
Italian Contemporary Print of Neoclassical Profile with Round Black Wooden Frame
Located in Scandicci, Florence
One of two beautiful neoclasssical woman profile print with black background, framed by a delicate taupe passpartout and a round black frame.
Each print is entirely printed in Ital...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Wood, Paper
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
Pair Hand Colored Engravings of Roman Frescoes from Pompeii Circa 1800
Located in Stamford, CT
A wonderful pair meticulously detailed hand colored renderings of frescoes in Pompeii in what became famous as the color "Pompeii Red". The detail is intricate and exquisite, and it ...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Paper
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
Framed Neoclassical Terracotta Cherubim Relief, 19th Century
Located in Lisbon, PT
A relief of nature, cherubim guard the garden of Paradise (Eden) after the expulsion of Adam and Eve - Inspired by the work of Master Louis-Messidor-Lebon Petitot in terracotta and p...
Category
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Terracotta, Wood
Original Antique Print of The Greek Goddess, Hebe. Dated 1833
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful image of Hebe
Fine steel engraving.
Published by Fisher. Dated 1833
Unframed.
Category
1830s English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Paper
Contemporary Italian Hand Coloured Vase Print in Villa Lante G.B Piranesi 1 of 2
Located in Scandicci, Florence
Extra large Roman marble vase on a porphyry pedestal printed on a hand press on 100% cotton engraving paper.
Completely handpainted with a cream wash, umber highlights, and matte bla...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Wood, Paper
Contemporary Italian Hand Coloured Antique English Mansions Vase Print 4 of 5
Located in Scandicci, Florence
Very original reproductions of decorative vases from important English mansions, printed on a hand press on 100% cotton engraving paper.
Completely handpainted with a cream wash, umb...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Wood, Paper
Contemporary Italian Hand Coloured Antique English Mansions Vase Print 5 of 5
Located in Scandicci, Florence
Very original reproductions of decorative vases from important English mansions, printed on a hand press on 100% cotton engraving paper.
Completely handpainted with a cream wash, umb...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Wood, Paper
Contemporary Italian Hand Coloured Antique English Mansions Vase Print 2 of 5
Located in Scandicci, Florence
Very original reproductions of decorative vases from important English mansions, printed on a hand press on 100% cotton engraving paper.
Completely handpainted with a cream wash, umb...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Wood, Paper
Contemporary Italian Hand Coloured Antique English Mansions Vase Print 1 of 5
Located in Scandicci, Florence
Very original reproductions of decorative vases from important English mansions, printed on a hand press on 100% cotton engraving paper.
Completely handpainted with a cream wash, umb...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Wood, Paper
Contemporary Italian Hand Coloured Antique English Mansions Vase Print 3 of 5
Located in Scandicci, Florence
Very original reproductions of decorative vases from important English mansions, printed on a hand press on 100% cotton engraving paper.
Completely handpainted with a cream wash, umb...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Wood, Paper
Set of Large 19th Century French Brass Repousse Chargers of Mars and Minerva
Located in Dallas, TX
Possibly inspired by a 1771 painting by Jacques-Louis David, this set of large brass chargers depict the Roman deities, Mars and Minerva. The painting by David (Minerva Fighting Mars...
Category
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Metal, Brass
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
Pair of English Neoclassical Style 1850s Carved Pine Overdoors with Swag Motifs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of English neoclassical style carved pine overdoors with swag motifs and dentil molding from the mid 19th century. Each of this pair of English architectural elements features a curved pediment, sitting above a dentil molding. The lower section is perfectly adorned with a double swag, flanked with a carved medallion and a fluted side post on each side. Since the discovery of Herculanum and Pompeii in the late 18th century, antiquity-inspired motifs, along with cleaner lines define the essence of the neoclassical style. Deeply influenced by this style, our pair of overdoors...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Pine
Contemporary Italian Hand Coloured Vase Print in Villa Lante G.B Piranesi 2 of 2
Located in Scandicci, Florence
Extra large Roman marble vase on a porphyry pedestal printed on a hand press on 100% cotton engraving paper.
Completely handpainted with a cream wash, umber highlights, and matte bla...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Wood, Paper
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 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
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
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
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
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
16th-C. Engravings of Nobility Framed in England in Faux Tortoise Frames, S/12
Located in Kennesaw, GA
I will do my best to describe this beautiful set accurately! This is a set of 16th and 17th century framed engravings. The engravings are on paper. The plates were from, “Armamentari...
Category
16th Century English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Wood, Giltwood
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 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
Large Antique Architectural Trompe L'oeil Framed Ceiling Mural
Located in Forney, TX
A monumental antique American architectural ceiling fresco art design decorative building element, framed in a later carved giltwood shadowbox style frame. ...
Category
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Plexiglass, Giltwood
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
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
19th Century Italian Majolica Charger
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th century hand painted Italian charger featuring three cherubs interacting with another lying on a bed of wheat stalks under a scenic skyscape. Beau...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica
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.