Neoclassical Decorative Objects
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.
20th Century English Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Stoneware
20th Century English Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Stoneware
20th Century Swiss Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Metal, Enamel
20th Century English Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Pottery, Stoneware
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Limestone
1870s French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
Early 1900s English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Sterling Silver
1890s English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Sicilian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Plaster
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Metal
Mid-20th Century German Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Stone, Limestone
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porcelain
20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Concrete
1820s Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Other
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Wood
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Silver
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Creamware
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Wood, Hardwood, Boxwood, Fruitwood
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Onyx, Stone, Metal, Bronze, Copper, Enamel
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble
Mid-19th Century Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Mid-19th Century Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
Mid-19th Century Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porcelain
1830s French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble, Ormolu
Early 20th Century Swiss Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
Early 1900s German Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Sicilian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Terracotta
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
1890s German Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
1960s Czech Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Crystal
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Terracotta
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Other
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble, Crystal, Bronze
20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Silver Plate
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
2010s Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Wood
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
Mid-20th Century British Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Danish Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Porcelain
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble
18th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Silver
20th Century French Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Wrought Iron
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Crystal
Early 20th Century British Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Sterling Silver
Early 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Mahogany
20th Century French Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze, Ormolu
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Iron
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Paint
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Hardwood, Paint
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Ivory
20th Century British Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Ceramic
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Metal, Silver Leaf