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.
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Plywood
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Iron, Nickel
1890s Russian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Silver
21st Century and Contemporary French Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Composition
Early 1900s German Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Pewter
1880s Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porcelain
1880s Russian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Stone
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porcelain
20th Century French Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Crystal
1930s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
Mid-19th Century Greek Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Spelter
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Metal
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Terracotta
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Metal
20th Century English Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Stoneware
Mid-20th Century English Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Early 19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Ormolu
20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Brass
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Metal, Enamel
1890s English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Brass
Early 20th Century Austrian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze, Iron
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Composition
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Metal, Zinc
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Carrara Marble
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Metal, Enamel
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Metal, Bronze
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Metal
1890s Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Alabaster
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Earthenware
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble, Ormolu
Mid-19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Clay
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Limestone
1960s English Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Stoneware
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Silver Plate, Bronze, Ormolu
1920s English Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble
1960s Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Plaster
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Wood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Gold Leaf
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Terracotta
20th Century French Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze, Ormolu
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Fabric, Wood
20th Century English Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Stoneware
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble, Bronze
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Composition
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Pottery
1850s Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Gold
1890s English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Sterling Silver
Early 19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Metal, Ormolu
20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Resin, Lacquer





