Neoclassical Period Collection

Neoclassical Furniture (FRANCE AND UNITED KINGDOM, CA. 1750)

Neoclassical design emerged in Europe in the 1750s, as the Age of Enlightenment reached full flower. 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. As you can see from the furniture shown on these pages, there is a bit of whimsy in such stately pieces — a touch of lightness that will always keep Neoclassicism fresh.

Clock Mantle Gilt Bronze Neoclassical Empire French 19th Century France

Located in New York, NY

Clock Mantle Gilt Bronze Neoclassical Empire French 19th Century France. A French mantel clock in gilt bronze. Neoclassical symbols such Cup...

Category

Late 18th Century French Neoclassical Antique Neoclassical Period Collection

Materials

Ormolu

Clock Mantle Gilt Bronze Neoclassical Empire French 19th Century France

$4,500 Sale Price

40% Off

Clock Mantle Gilt Bronze Neoclassical Empire French 19th Century France

Located in New York, NY

Clock Mantle Gilt Bronze Neoclassical Empire French 19th Century France. A French mantle in gilt bronze decorated with neoclassical symbols ...

Category

19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Neoclassical Period Collection

Materials

Ormolu

Clock Mantle Gilt Bronze Neoclassical Empire French 19th Century France

$6,000 Sale Price

23% Off

Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Neoclassical Period Collection

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu

French 19th Century Mantle Clock

$7,930

H 18.51 in W 10.24 in D 6.3 in

Mid-19th Century French Slate Marble Mantle Clock

Located in Chapel Hill, NC

Mid-19th century French slate & marble mantle clock. Drum head form. Black slate & green, black & white marble. Made by P. Marti et Cie. 8-day movement. History of clock repairs on b...

Category

Mid-19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Neoclassical Period Collection

Materials

Marble, Slate

Mid-19th Century French Slate Marble Mantle Clock

$600

H 10.25 in W 15.88 in D 5.75 in

19th Century French Marble Mantle Clock

Located in Charlottesville, VA

A stately French Empire mantle clock. In marble with bronze mounts

Category

19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Period Collection

Materials

Marble, Metal

19th Century French Marble Mantle Clock

$1,200

H 16.5 in W 11 in D 6 in

19th Century French Empire Clock

Located in Los Angeles, CA

19th Century finely chased and cast dore bronze mantle clock. Porcelain dial in excellent condition. Signed "Millet." Original pendulum. Don't have original key, but can have one made.

Category

19th Century French Empire Antique Neoclassical Period Collection

Materials

Marble, Bronze

19th Century French Empire Clock

$7,500

H 19 in W 13.5 in D 5.25 in

19th Century Gilt Bronze Mantle Clock By Richond of Paris

Located in Dublin, IE

A stunning 19th Century gilt bronze mantle clock by Richond of Paris, stamped by the maker H & F and is of exceptional quality. The finely cast gilt bronze clock in the Neoclassical...

Category

19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Period Collection

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

19th Century Gilt Bronze Mantle Clock By Richond of Paris

$2,907

H 16.5 in W 11.25 in D 6 in

Very Fine Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze Mantle Clock

Located in Long Island City, NY

A Very Fine Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze Mantle Clock The clock face is flanked by one child playing the french horn,the other playing with finger cymbals, all raised on an elabor...

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Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Neoclassical Period Collection

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Very Fine Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze Mantle Clock

$25,000

H 18 in W 28 in D 7.5 in

Fantastic Early 19th Century Empire Style Gilt and Patinated Bronze Mantle Clock

Located in Long Island City, NY

A Fantastic Early 19th Century Empire style gilt and patinated bronze mantle clock A large gilt bronze, beautiful woman sitting upon a griffin bergere chair, leaning on pillows an...

Category

Early 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Neoclassical Period Collection

Materials

Bronze

Fantastic Early 19th Century Empire Style Gilt and Patinated Bronze Mantle Clock

$15,000

H 19 in W 19 in D 8 in

19th Century Gilt Bronze French Mantle Clock with Rose Swags

Located in Old Town Orange, CA

Late 19th century gilt bronze French mantle clock with rose swags. Decorated with a large ribbon bow and clusters of roses swags around the face, and sides of the clock. A beautiful...

Category

19th Century American Louis XVI Antique Neoclassical Period Collection

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

19th Century Gilt Bronze French Mantle Clock with Rose Swags

$2,250 Sale Price

50% Off

H 12 in W 12 in D 9 in

Late 18th/19th Century French Empire Mantle Clock By Parisian Clockmaker Lepaute

By Lepaute

Located in Dublin, IE

A Fine Most Impressive French Gilt, Patinated Bronze and White Marble Mantel Clock by Lepaute of Paris, France. Of impressive scale and refined Neoclassical design, the circular white enamel dial signed Lepaute à Paris within a gilt-bronze bezel surmounted by a finely cast and chased gilt bronze eagle with outspread wings perched on a laurel wreath. The clock flanked by two seated classical figures in dark patinated bronze, each reading from an open book, symbolising Knowledge and Wisdom. The central plinth panel finely cast with cherubs in relief, set upon a rectangular white marble base mounted with ormolu friezes of scrolling foliage and masks, raised on toupie feet. The Lepaute family were among the most renowned horologists of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, supplying timepieces to the French royal court and many important clients of the Empire period. The fine casting and crisp chasing of this example, combined with its balanced architectural design, exemplify the high quality of Parisian clockmaking of the period. Circa 1800-1810 France Condition: Excellent overall condition with minor wear to gilding consistent with age. Movement complete and of fine quality. Fully serviced and in working order. Key present. Biography: Jean André Lepaute...

Category

Early 1800s French Neoclassical Antique Neoclassical Period Collection

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

Late 18th/19th Century French Empire Mantle Clock By Parisian Clockmaker Lepaute

$50,734

H 20.67 in W 27.56 in D 6.11 in

19th Century Antique French Neoclassical Style Gilt Bronze Clock Garniture

Located in Dublin, IE

An exceptional quality three-piece clock set designed in a grand neoclassical style by 'Domange Rollin Rue de Bretagne Paris'. France. The set is comprised of a central clock and tw...

Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Neoclassical Period Collection

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu

19th Century Antique French Neoclassical Style Gilt Bronze Clock Garniture

$20,471 / set

H 20.08 in W 14.18 in D 5.91 in

Fine 19th Century French Empire Gilt Bronze and Patinated Bronze Mantle Clock

Located in Dallas, TX

A fine 19th century Empire gilt bronze figural mantle clock. Patinated bronze and gilt bronze fine details. Working condition.

Category

Late 19th Century French Empire Antique Neoclassical Period Collection

Materials

Bronze

Fine 19th Century French Empire Gilt Bronze and Patinated Bronze Mantle Clock

$13,500

H 20 in W 16 in D 6 in

Large 19th Century Neoclassical Figural Bronze and Marble Mantle Clock

Located in New York, NY

Large 19th century neoclassical figural patinated with gilt highlight bronze and marble mantle clock depicting Diana The Hunter. The marble is hand painted with classical decorations.

Category

19th Century Italian Neoclassical Antique Neoclassical Period Collection

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Large 19th Century Neoclassical Figural Bronze and Marble Mantle Clock

$9,500 / item

H 28 in W 26.25 in D 8.75 in

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