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Neoclassical Wall Decorations

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
Pair of Italian Painted and Gilt Hanging Wall Vitrines, Late 19th century
Located in Hollywood, SC
Pair of Italian painted and gilt hanging glass wall vitrines with fitted interior upholstered shelving, floral gilt motif, and the original wood bac...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Wall Decorations

Materials

Upholstery, Glass, Wood, Giltwood, Paint

Pair of Italian Gilt Carved Wood Demilune Acanthus Wall Brackets, Circa 1800
Located in Hollywood, SC
Pair of Italian gilt carved wood demilune wall brackets with scrolled foliage acanthus motif. All original. Early 19th Century.
Category

Early 1800s Italian Antique Neoclassical Wall Decorations

Materials

Giltwood, Wood

18th Century Neoclassical Mirror with Signed Grisaille by Jacob de Wit, 1749
By Jacob De Wit
Located in Essex, MA
Rare signed and dated Grisaille panel of The Allegory of Art by "Jacob de Wit," 1749. Incorporated into a mirror in the late 18th century. Putti en grisaille. Original gilt. Al...
Category

Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Wall Decorations

Materials

Beech

Late 18th Century French Grisaille Painting
Located in Rome, IT
Late 18th century French Grisaille Painting, oil on canvas. Mythological scene with the Greek God Pan and dancing putto figures with ivory painted an...
Category

18th Century and Earlier French Antique Neoclassical Wall Decorations

Materials

Canvas

"Theves, Karach" Egyptian Spinx Print
Located in New York, NY
19th Cent print of various views of an Egyptian sphinx "Theves, Karach" in an ebonized and gilt frame
Category

19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Wall Decorations

Materials

Glass, Paper, Wood

Early 19th Century Portraits of a Man and Woman
Located in Palm Beach, FL
A pair early 19th century French oil on canvas paintings of a man and woman, probably husband and wife. Neoclassical and Napoleonic in style, these paintings are very well executed a...
Category

19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Wall Decorations

Materials

Paint

Monumental Framed Oil on Canvas Pastural Landscape
Located in Essex, MA
By Hans Jacob Maurer, signed and dated J.B Maurer, 1780. Stylistically, this painting is reminiscent of the plein air and fete champetre movements of the French, 18th century court p...
Category

Late 18th Century Antique Neoclassical Wall Decorations

Materials

Other

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 Wall Decorations

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Late 18th Early-19th Century French Drawing View of Rome
Located in CH
A late 18th-early 19th century French neoclassical drawing on paper, view of the Tiber River with the Aventine hill in Rome.
Category

19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Historic Early Race Car Photo
Located in Ferndale, MI
Louis Chevrolet, Howe and Arthur photographer.
Category

Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Wall Decorations

Materials

Photographic Paper

19th Century Pair of Scenes Julios Caesar's Life
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair of scenes from the life of Julius Caesar. Made in gouache on paper with antique frame. We have two pair. Signed by Alberto de Benedetti, circa 1849.
Category

19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper, Gouache

Graphite 19th Century Sketch of Voltaire in Vintage Frame
Located in Hudson, NY
This finely rendered work showing Francois-Marie Arouet also know as Voltaire is from the late 19th century. The drawing in a vintage frame shows the sitter in a somewhat relaxed po...
Category

19th Century Unknown Antique Neoclassical Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

18th c. Italian Neoclassical Etchings Of Antiquities, Oil Lamps of Herculaneum
Located in Stamford, CT
Set of 12 framed copper etched plates depicting various ancient oil lamps and candelabra excavated from Herculaneum in the 18th century. These high qua...
Category

Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Wall Decorations

Bright Stars American Painting and Sculpture Since 1776 Hardcover Book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Bright stars: American painting and sculpture since 1776 Hardcover - January 1, 1976 by Jean Lipman (Author), Helen M. Franc (Author), John I. H. Baur (Introduction) Publisher: E. ...
Category

Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Trompe L’oeil Neo-Classical Style Painted Italian Columns W/ Floral Urns - S/2
Located in Kennesaw, GA
I love these! This is a set of large scale hand painted Italian Neo-classical style wall mounted trompe l’oeil floral filled urns and columns. It is four pieces. The set most likely ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Wall Decorations

Materials

Wood

20th Century "The Last Supper" Metal Relief
Located in Miami, FL
"The Last Supper" metal relief.
Category

Early 20th Century European Neoclassical Wall Decorations

Materials

Metal

Large Heavy Rectangular Carved Marble Relief of Madonna and Baby Jesus
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a large heavy rectangular carved marble relief of the Madonna and Baby Jesus. It depicts a caring Virgin Mary holding baby Jesus with her ...
Category

18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Wall Decorations

Materials

Marble

Animated View Of Venice, La Dogana, Oil On Framed Canvas, 19th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
View of Venice animated by boats sailing in front of the tip of the Dogana Oil on canvas 19th century, re-lined and restored, in a gilded wooden frame Slight paint losses, gaps, ch...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Wall Decorations

Materials

Paint

Alexander Calder Signed Framed Abstract Lithograph
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a signed and authenticated Alexander Calder lithograph dated 1969 and seems to be a an abstract of a naturalistic floral or leaf form. The piece is in good used condition and...
Category

1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Antique WWII B24 Liberator Bomber Airplane Aviation Fuselage Shadowbox
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique World War II era United States Army Air Force airplane fuselage segment, mounted in a shadowbox frame and featuring the stars and bars decal ...
Category

1940s Vintage Neoclassical Wall Decorations

Materials

Metal

Anne Packard "Path To The Ocean" Oil on Board
Located in New York, NY
Anne Packard (American, b. 1933) "Path To The Ocean" oil painting on board, signed lower left, housed in a carved silvered wood frame, labels on back. Image: 11.5" H x 11.5" W; frame...
Category

20th Century Neoclassical Wall Decorations

Materials

Paint

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 Wall Decorations

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 linen background with a French country i...
Category

1970s German Vintage Neoclassical Wall Decorations

Materials

Porcelain

18th century Petite Oil Painting of Napoleon Bonaparte in Full Dress Uniform
Located in Savannah, GA
This handsome petite oil painting measures five inches x seven inches at the sight line and is signed by the unknown artist Renee. It portrays a younger Napoleon but shows many meda...
Category

1780s French Antique Neoclassical Wall Decorations

Materials

Canvas, Giltwood

Early 19th Century Oil Painting of 18th Century Noble Woman Newly Reframed
Located in Middleburg, VA
Early 19th century Oil Painting of 18th century Noble Woman. The gray haired woman is in a lovely light blue corset dress draped in a salmon color wrap. Recently reframed. Measures: ...
Category

Early 19th Century Unknown Antique Neoclassical Wall Decorations

Materials

Paint

Rigged Half Model of the Schooner Yacht America
Located in Norwalk, CT
Crafted by Don Peterson, Larchmont, NY circa 1971, an outstanding model of the famed 19th century yacht racing yacht, America. On August 22, 1851, ...
Category

1970s Vintage Neoclassical Wall Decorations

Materials

Wood

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 Wall Decorations

Materials

Marble, Porphyry

Mountainous Vintage Oil Painting by Alan Healey Americana Cowboy, 1980s
Located in London, GB
An interesting vintage painting signed by Alan Healey and painted in the 1980s, depicting an older man wearing a red jumper and big hat within a mountainous...
Category

1980s British Vintage Neoclassical Wall Decorations

Materials

Acrylic, Wood

Pair of Mid-20th Century Italian Carved Giltwood Wall Brackets Shelves
Located in Pearland, TX
A lovely pair of Italian Neoclassical style gilded wood wall brackets shelves, circa 1950. Marked "Made in Italy" on reverse. These stylish brackets have hand carved scrolling leaves...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Wall Decorations

Materials

Giltwood

Set of Two 18th Century Classical Engravings
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Thsi stylish and chic set of two framed engraving date to the 18th century and were created by Francesco Cepparoli and Giovani Morghen. Note: Overall dimensions are 21 5/8" heigh...
Category

18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Wall Decorations

Materials

Glass, Wood, Giltwood, Paper

Antique Bronze Portrait Plaque of George Washington, C 1880
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Antique bronze portrait plaque of George Washington, C 1890 Possibly after Jean-Antoine Houdon, finely cast side profile with Washington's hai...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Wall Decorations

Materials

Bronze

Pair of French Bronze Portrait Plaques of Voltaire & Rouseau, Signed Marie F
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of French bronze portrait plaques of Voltaire & Rouseau, Signed Marie F, Each one finely cast of a profile portrait of e Arouet de Voltaire, one Jean Jaques Rouseau.  
Category

19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Wall Decorations

Materials

Bronze

Pair of 17th Century Italian Capriccios of Ruins Follower of Codazzi
By Viviano Codazzi
Located in Essex, MA
Pair of grand scale oil on canvas Capriccios by a Follower of Viviano Codazzi. Mid to late 17th century of ruins and figures. Neoclassical landscape. B...
Category

Late 17th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Wall Decorations

Materials

Paint

Dutch Pastoral Painting on Board by Balthasar Paul Ommeganck
Located in Charleston, SC
This wonderful realistic Pastoral Painting is painted on board with a cradle back. Balthasar Paul Ommeganck (1755–1826) was born in Antwerp in 1755. ...
Category

Early 19th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Wall Decorations

Materials

Wood, Giltwood, Paint

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 Wall Decorations

Materials

Bronze

Watercolor by Jean-Démosthène Dugourc, 1781
Located in Kittery Point, ME
Figures under the terrace of Saint-Germain-en-Laye, watercolour, signed and dated lower right 'J. D. Dugourc del 1781' Watercolor on paper, with pencil. Jean-Démosthène Dugourc (Ve...
Category

1780s French Antique Neoclassical Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

"Narcissus, " Superb Male Nude, Neoclassical Painting, by Student of Eckersberg
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Because Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg, a celebrated 19th century Danish painter, used his "Narcissus" painting as a teaching tool, at least five of his pupils painted sight variatio...
Category

1810s Danish Antique Neoclassical Wall Decorations

Materials

Paint

Classic American Portrait, Oil on Canvas, William Lee Judson, 1882
By William Lees Judson 1
Located in Buffalo, NY
William Lees Judson was a pioneering California Impressionist artist of many talents. With his three sons, he founded the Judson Stained Glass Stud...
Category

1880s American Antique Neoclassical Wall Decorations

Materials

Canvas

Late 19th C Italian Oil on Canvas by Arthur Bray
By Arthur Bray
Located in Charleston, SC
A late-19th century oil on canvas signed by Arthur Bray. This Italian painting depicts a sleepy provincial town and men and women reclining by a stream in the woods.
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Wall Decorations

Materials

Canvas

Pair of Gilded Neoclassical Mirrored Whatnots
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Elegant pair of gilded mirrored wall hangings with two shelves and beautifully carved column details.
Category

Early 19th Century British Antique Neoclassical Wall Decorations

Materials

Giltwood

Neoclassical wall decorations for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Neoclassical wall decorations for sale on 1stDibs. 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.

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