Neoclassical Serving Pieces
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.
Early 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Serving Pieces
Pearlware, Pottery
1930s American Vintage Neoclassical Serving Pieces
Silver Plate
20th Century Portuguese Neoclassical Serving Pieces
Ceramic, Clay
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Serving Pieces
Pearlware, Pottery
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Serving Pieces
Silver Plate
20th Century American Neoclassical Serving Pieces
Ceramic
1840s Italian Antique Neoclassical Serving Pieces
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Serving Pieces
Stoneware
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Serving Pieces
Glass, Wood
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Serving Pieces
Porcelain
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Serving Pieces
Majolica
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Serving Pieces
Pewter
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Serving Pieces
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Serving Pieces
Pewter
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Serving Pieces
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Dutch Neoclassical Serving Pieces
Silver
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Serving Pieces
Ceramic, Wood, Glass
20th Century French Neoclassical Serving Pieces
Brass, Copper
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Serving Pieces
Brass
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Serving Pieces
Metal
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Serving Pieces
Ormolu
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Serving Pieces
Porcelain
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Serving Pieces
Metal
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Serving Pieces
Ceramic, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Serving Pieces
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Serving Pieces
Glass
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Serving Pieces
Brass
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Serving Pieces
Silver Plate
1950s Mexican Vintage Neoclassical Serving Pieces
Brass
Mid-20th Century European Neoclassical Serving Pieces
Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Serving Pieces
Crystal
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Serving Pieces
Glass
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Serving Pieces
Pottery
Early 1800s German Antique Neoclassical Serving Pieces
Silver
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Serving Pieces
Ceramic
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Serving Pieces
Sterling Silver
1890s French Antique Neoclassical Serving Pieces
Rock Crystal, Silver, Sterling Silver, Gold
1890s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Serving Pieces
Alpaca
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Serving Pieces
Silver
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Serving Pieces
Bone
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Serving Pieces
Silver
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Serving Pieces
Silver Plate
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Serving Pieces
Crystal, Bronze
Early 20th Century Russian Neoclassical Serving Pieces
Silver





