Neoclassical Urns
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.
Mid-20th Century English Neoclassical Urns
Stone
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Urns
Marble, Ormolu
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Urns
Iron
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Urns
Bronze
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Urns
Terracotta
20th Century Mexican Neoclassical Urns
Iron, Wrought Iron
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Urns
Iron
19th Century Unknown Antique Neoclassical Urns
Stone
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Urns
Terracotta
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Urns
Terracotta
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Urns
Terracotta
19th Century Unknown Antique Neoclassical Urns
Iron
20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Urns
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary French Neoclassical Urns
Cast Stone, Cement
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Urns
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary French Neoclassical Urns
Cement, Cast Stone
20th Century Neoclassical Urns
Marble, Bronze
20th Century French Neoclassical Urns
Iron
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Urns
Iron
1890s French Antique Neoclassical Urns
Iron
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Urns
Iron
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Urns
Iron
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Urns
Limestone
Late 18th Century Scottish Antique Neoclassical Urns
Metal, Iron
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Urns
Iron
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Urns
Iron
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Urns
Steel
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Urns
Ceramic
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Urns
Metal, Lead
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Urns
Iron
1860s French Antique Neoclassical Urns
Iron
1870s Italian Antique Neoclassical Urns
Carrara Marble
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Urns
Bronze, Ormolu
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Urns
Travertine, Bronze, Iron
20th Century English Neoclassical Urns
Iron
Late 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Urns
Limestone, Marble
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Urns
Resin
2010s Italian Neoclassical Urns
Limestone
20th Century European Neoclassical Urns
Malachite, Bronze
Late 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Urns
Marble
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Urns
Iron
20th Century English Neoclassical Urns
Iron
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Urns
Iron
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Urns
Iron
Late 18th Century Scottish Antique Neoclassical Urns
Sandstone
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Urns
Iron
20th Century American Neoclassical Urns
Iron
1880s French Antique Neoclassical Urns
Iron
20th Century French Neoclassical Urns
Cast Stone
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Urns
Marble
Late 20th Century North American Neoclassical Urns
Marble
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Urns
Iron
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Urns
Wrought Iron
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Urns
Iron
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Urns
Mahogany
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Urns
Iron
1880s French Antique Neoclassical Urns
Iron
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Urns
Iron