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Neoclassical Decorative Art

NEOCLASSICAL STYLE

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.

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Style: Neoclassical
French Pair of Reproduction Plaster Wall Planters
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
French, 20th century plaster reproduction wall-mounted planters of stylized Medusa figures–not with an abundance of snakes emanating from her head but a thick mane of acanthus. Spira...
Category

20th Century French Neoclassical Decorative Art

Materials

Plaster

Pair French Hand Painted Neoclassical Wall Hanging Architectural Screen Panels
Located in Dayton, OH
2 Wall hanging Neoclassical Archictural panels, circa last quarter 20th century. Depicting the interior walls of a temple or residence of royalty. Each is painted on board with a me...
Category

Late 20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Art

Materials

Hardwood, Paint

Italian Contemporary Hand Coloured Red Blue Roman Vase Print G.B Piranesi 1 of 2
Located in Scandicci, Florence
Large Roman marble vase printed on a hand press on 100% cotton engraving paper. Completely handpainted with a cream wash, pompeian red and blue highlights and details. Light brown ma...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Italian 19th Century Big Size Florence Architectural Hand-Colored Print
Located in Scandicci, Florence
A rare extra-large reproduction print, printed on engraving paper with an antique star press and watercolored by hand representing an antique capital. The capital's from a collection...
Category

2010s Italian Neoclassical Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Pair of Late 18th Century Fragment Wall Panels
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of wall hangings, each antique fragment having painted and gilded frame with leaf detail, surrounding a classical carved giltwood face surmo...
Category

19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art

Materials

Wood, Giltwood

Large Antique Capodimonte Porcelain Plaque of a Naiad or Water Nymph
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine and large-scale Italian porcelain plaque By Capodimonte. Depicting a naiad (Greek: ναϊάς) or water nymph holding cattails in her hands and attended by a small cherub. Cast ...
Category

18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art

Materials

Porcelain

William Henry Chandler Pastel, Cottage in an Autumn Landscape
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
William Henry Chandler (1854-1928) Pastel, a cottage in an autumn landscape, signed "Chandler" on lower right. Pastel on paper in period mahogan...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Walt Disneys "Mickey s Trailer, 1938", Iconic Color Animation Cel
Located in Stockholm, SE
Walt Disney, "Mickey's Trailer, 1938". Celluloid (xenographic line, ink-enhanced hand painted). Stamped The Walt Disney Company. Numbered 52/500. 29.5 x 49 cm. Movie "Mickey's Trailer," was the second short film, out of 100, that was produced 1938. An icon film. Published by Disney Art Editions in 1994. A certificate of authenticity executed by The Walt Disney Company accompanies the lot. Provenance: Animation Art Gallery/Amsterdam, acquired in 1995. An original production-used animation cel...
Category

1990s American Neoclassical Decorative Art

Materials

Plastic, Paper

19th Century French Framed Cameo Collection with Gilt Accents
Located in Atlanta, GA
This exquisite 19th-century French framed collection of cameos presents a stunning display of classical artistry. The composition features an array of intricately detailed terracotta...
Category

19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art

Materials

Metal

Italian Pietra Dura, Semi-Precious, Still Life Stones Painting
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is an amazing work in semi precious stones in Hardstones or Pietra Dura work. Framed measures 21 x 24 inches. In back has a partial detail of stones and also origin of art work.
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Art

Materials

Precious Stone

Vintage Advertising “SODAS” Metal Embossed Sign
Located in New York, NY
Great looking rare original large size embossed metal advertising “SODAS” sign..Looks like it came from an old country mom and pop store . All metal with a...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Art

Materials

Metal

Contemporary Italian Hand Coloured Antique Roman Vase Print " Museo Clementino"
Located in Scandicci, Florence
Extra large Roman vase printed on a hand press on 100% cotton engraving paper. Completely handpainted with a cream wash, umber highlights, and matte black details. Light brown mat...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Decorative Art

Materials

Wood, Paper

1980s American School Style Interior Scene of a Sitting Room Watercolor Painting
Located in Morristown, NJ
American School (20th c.), Interior scene, watercolor on paper, signed and dated "Wisner, '81" lower right. A charming, colorful and detailed representation of a beautiful room-scape. It makes me want to grab a good book and snuggle up by the fire. The framing is by The House of Heydenryk...
Category

1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Art

Materials

Glass, Wood, Paint, Paper

A Monumental Italian Neoclassic Triumphal Military Wall Plaque
Located in Queens, NY
Roman fruitwood trophy wall plaque carved with the forms of armor, halberds, and other military regalia.
Category

18th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art

Materials

Fruitwood

18th Century Portrait Color Engraving, Original Frame, A Saint Giles s Beauty
Located in Stamford, CT
Stipple and etching, printed in dark brown ink with hand-coloring.  Likely the original late 18th century frame and thus the print is in excellent condition. Print made by Francesco Bartolozzi...
Category

Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Original Antique Print of The Greek Goddess, Hebe. Dated 1833
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful image of Hebe Fine steel engraving. Published by Fisher. Dated 1833 Unframed.
Category

1830s English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Silk fan in shrine from the late 1800s
Located in Milano, IT
The Italian silk fan in a vitrine from the late 1800s is a true masterpiece of craftsmanship and elegance. Housed in a beautiful alloy case, this antique fan...
Category

1890s Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art

Materials

Silk, Wood

Vintage Pair of Romantic Wedgewood Figural Art
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Romantic pair of horizontal framed wedgewood figural art in gorgeous color green with cream maidens with wonderful poses. The framing while aged compliments the art having gold velv...
Category

1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Art

Materials

Porcelain, Giltwood

Pair of Antique Pietra Dura Marble Inlay Figural Plaques With Malachite
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions: Height: 9 1/4 in Width: 5 3/4 in Depth: 3/4 in This vintage pair of Pietra Dura framed plaques is bound to bring a sense of sophisticat...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Art

Materials

Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Marble

Drawing, Flemish School, 18th Century
Located in Kittery Point, ME
Ancient Ruins with Strollers. Brown wash and graphite.
Category

Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Pair 18th Century Italian Hand Colored Engravings Roman Frescoes from Pompeii
Located in Stamford, CT
A pair of 18th century Italian hand colored renderings of frescoes in Pompeii in what became famous as the color "Pompeii Red". The detail is intricate and exquisite, and it is clea...
Category

Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Neoclassical Style 20th Century Plaster Wall Plaque
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A reclaimed neoclassical plaster wall plaque with a stunning painted matte black frame. In a large landscape form, this handcrafted plaque is decorated in relief depicting a romantic scene of cherubs or putti accompanied by a dog while they gather around a fire in an enchanted woodland...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Neoclassical Decorative Art

Materials

Plaster, Wood

2 French Neoclassical Style Red Lacquer Wall Hanging Panels Gold Urns Figures
Located in Dayton, OH
Impressive pair of late 20th century wall hanging panels. Features Neoclassical and French styling. The screen is red lacquered with a marbled appearance and engraved in gold designs with ornate urns, acanthus accents and Centaurs (half man half horse...
Category

Late 20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Art

Materials

Hardwood, Lacquer

Pair of Contemporary Italian Hand Coloured Roman Vase Prints with Black Frames
Located in Scandicci, Florence
Pair of Extra large Roman Vase printed on a hand press on 100% cotton engraving paper. Completely handpainted with a cream wash, umber highlights, and...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Decorative Art

Materials

Wood, Paper

Pair of Vintage French Portrait Wood Frames
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Original Vintage Condition Materials: Gold-Leaf Guildwood Style: French Neoclassical
Category

1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Art

Materials

Wood

Pair Of European Needlepoint Panels
Located in Essex, MA
Two rectangular panels each featuring a pair of cherubs amongst grape leaves and grapes. Would be great in a dining room.
Category

Early 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art

Materials

Organic Material

Italian Provincial Deruta Hand Painted Faience Allegorical Pottery Wall Plate
Located in Elkhart, IN
A beautiful hand painted blue, cream, and green faience pottery wall plate featuring an allegorical scene of a man riding a horse with a bird on his arm. By Cynthia Deruta Italy, L...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Art

Materials

Faience, Pottery

19th-C. Water Gilt Framed American Landscape Oil On Canvas Of Mill On A River
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a late 19th century American oil on canvas depicting a scenic river scene with and old mill and pine trees. There is no visible signature. The water gilt frame is lovely with...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art

Materials

Canvas, Giltwood, Paint

Vintage Pair Framed Cut Paper Cameo Silhouette Portraits, U.S., Early 20th C.
Located in Chatham, ON
Vintage pair cut paper cameo silhouette portraits - the hand cut portraits glued down to a cream color background - featuring facing profiles of a young man and woman - fine quality ...
Category

Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Art

Materials

Gold Leaf

Neoclassical Wall Art Scenes in Gold and Blue, Set of 4
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful set of four (4) Neoclassical wall art scenes, circa mid-20th century, Europe. Set includes four different scenes with dark blue and gold octagonal wood frame, matting, pr...
Category

Mid-20th Century European Neoclassical Decorative Art

Materials

Brass, Gold

Antique Neo-Classical Bartolozzi Print of Venus. 1907
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful print of an 18th Century Francesco Bartolozzi engraving after Bartolozzi. Publshed by Otto Limited, London 1907 Blank verso The meas...
Category

Early 1900s English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Antique Neo-Classical Bartolozzi Print. 1907
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful red ochre print of an 18th Century Francesco Bartolozzi engraving after Anjelica Kauffmann. Publshed by Otto Limited, London 1907 Text...
Category

Early 1900s English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Italian 19th Century Big Size Architectural Watercolor with Black Gold Frame
Located in Scandicci, Florence
Rare extra-large (cm 59 x 85) antique watercolor from a collection of architectural details of Florence monuments painted in Italy in the mid-19th century. Black mat with gold hand ...
Category

1840s Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art

Materials

Gold Leaf

Antique Wedgwood Blue Jasperware Neoclassical Plaque
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A fine Wedgwood blue jasperware plaque with a neoclassical figural composition. The Wedgwood impressed mark appears on verso. Female figures are honoring the devilish Eros who they a...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art

Materials

Porcelain

Antique 19Th C Neoclassical Stone Lava Cameo Relief Plaque
Located in Long Island City, NY
An antique 19th-century Western European hand-carved lava rock bas-relief plaque. The piece represents Venus on a swan-drawn chariot. Unsigned. Black velvet mat, wooden frame. Collec...
Category

19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art

Materials

Lava

Antique Neo-Classical Bartolozzi Print. 1907
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful red ochre print of an 18th Century Francesco Bartolozzi engraving after R.Cosway. Publshed by Otto Limited, London 1907 Text on verso The measurement is the paper size ...
Category

Early 1900s English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Wedgwood Porcelain Plaques of Ships, the Clipper Ship, Great Republic Clipper
Located in Downingtown, PA
Under Full Sail: Wedgwood Porcelain Plaques of Clipper Ships ________________________________________ This is a handsome pair of framed Wedgwood Porcelain Plaques from a limited-edition series, commemorating two of the most famous sailing vessels of the 19th century: the Clipper Ship Great Republic...
Category

1970s English Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Art

Materials

Porcelain

A Set of Four Late 18th Century / Early 19th Century Allegorical Paintings
Located in Dallas, TX
A set of four (4) Late 18th Century / Early 19th Century allegorical paintings amongst landscapes amongst classical ruins, relived frames contemporary pictures most likely. Italian. ...
Category

Early 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art

Materials

Canvas

Antique Neoclassical Composition Wall Panel in Ebonised Frame
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An antique neoclassical finely cast composition wall panel with a stunning glazed ebonised frame. In a large landscape form, this handcrafted plaque is decorated in relief showcasin...
Category

Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Decorative Art

Materials

Composition

Antique Neoclassical Silk Screen Framed Print of Greek God
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A large English silk screen framed print of a neoclassical scene of the Greek God Poseidon, also know as Neptune in Roman mythology. Exceptionally presented in a gilt frame, this 2...
Category

20th Century English Neoclassical Decorative Art

Materials

Wood

Set of 2 Framed Antique Italian Neoclassical 1553 Engravings by Antonio Lafreri
Located in Pearland, TX
A fine antique set of two Italian Neoclassical engravings from Antonio Lafreri's edition in 1553, copied from the original engravings of Polidoro da Caravaggio (1499 – 1543). These f...
Category

16th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art

Materials

Glass, Wood, Paper

Set of twelve Italian 19th century Marble, Ormolu and patinated bronze plaques
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most attractive complete set of twelve Italian 19th century Neo-Classical st. Marble, Ormolu and patinated Bronze plaques of The Twelve Caesars. Each wonderfully decorative plaque ...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

Italian Contemporary Hand Coloured Red Blue Roman Vase Print G.B Piranesi 2 of 2
Located in Scandicci, Florence
Large Roman marble vase printed on a hand press on 100% cotton engraving paper. Completely handpainted with a cream wash, pompeian red and blue highlights and details. Light brown ma...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

19th Century French Carved Wall Over-Door/Wall Panel
Located in Shipston-On-Stour, GB
19th Century French Neo-Classical wall carving or over-door. With shaped concave sides and flora surround mould. The central panel featuring a carved figure of Minerva, flanked by f...
Category

1840s French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art

Materials

Softwood, Paint

Italian 19th Century Big Size Florence Architectural Hand-Colored Print
Located in Scandicci, Florence
"Porta nel Vestibolo dell'antica Università dei Lanaioli - Studio al Vero del Capitello" A rare extra-large reproduction print, printed on engraving paper with an antique star press and watercolored by hand representing an antique capital...
Category

2010s Italian Neoclassical Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Antique Bacchanalian Frieze, Italian, Bronze, Grand Tour, Victorian, circa 1850
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique framed Bacchanalian Frieze. An Italian, mahogany and bronze Grand Tour relief mount after François Duquesnoy (1594-1646), dating ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Neoclassical Italian Painted Wall Panels with Opposing Birds
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage pair of Neoclassical wall panels featuring opposing birds in their cages surrounded by foliage. They are on wood panels with gilded frame.
Category

20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Art

Materials

Wood

Thorvaldsen Neoclassical Roundels - Denmark, c. 1825
Located in Kinderhook, NY
Beautiful pair of c. 1825 repoussé sheet-brass roundels depicting Danish sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen's 'Day' and 'Night'. As opposites they represent the two halves of a day, and to...
Category

Early 19th Century Danish Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art

Materials

Brass

Italian 19C Big Architectural Hand-coloured Print with Black and Gold Frame
Located in Scandicci, Florence
Rare extra-large (cm 59 x 85) antique watercolour of capital from a collection of architectural details of Florence monuments painted in Italy in the middle of 19th Century. Black ma...
Category

1840s Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art

Materials

Gold Leaf

French 19th Century Neo-Classical St. Plaster Plaque
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exceptional French 19th century Neo-Classical st. plaster plaque. This extremely elegant and most decorative Parisian wall decor depicts a grouping of Mythological figures and God...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art

Materials

Plaster

Neoclassical French Square Carved-Wood Plaque w/Early or Original Finish
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French carved-wood wall plaque from the early 19th century. This antique wall decoration from France features the Neoclassical stylings of swirling leaves and florals splaying outw...
Category

19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art

Materials

Wood

Louis Vuitton Art Print in Vintage Italian Rustic Wood Frame
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Framed French Louis Vuitton Art Print in an Italian 19th Century Frame Louis Vuitton Print from Paris, France, framed in a one of a kind circ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art

Materials

Wood, Paper, Gesso, Linen, Giltwood

Drawing Attributed to Jean-Baptiste Pillement
By Jean-Baptiste Pillement
Located in Kittery Point, ME
Two-faced drawing. Studies of characters and harbor scene. With an inscription stating it is from the sketchbook in the collection of Dr. Manuel de Espirito Santo in Lisbon. Ink a...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

19th Century Framed Italian Cameos
Located in Atlanta, GA
This exquisite 19th Century framed collection of Italian cameos is a true testament to fine craftsmanship and artistic heritage. Each cameo is intricate...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art

Materials

Stone

Rare Set of Four Framed Collections of Wax Seals
Located in Lyndhurst, NJ
Framed in giltwood, the collection of red wax seals date from the late 18th - early 19th century. Each seal is mounted on a wood pin, and then the group is mounted on paper. NOTE:...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art

Materials

Glass, Giltwood

Italian Roman Pompeiian Style Panels
Located in Queens, NY
10 Italian Roman Neo-classic (mid-18th Century) panels decorated in Pompeiian style faux marble inlaid patterns. (PRICED EACH)
Category

18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art

Materials

Marble

Relief “Triumph of Bacchus”, France, First Quarter of the 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Gilt bronze relief depicting the “Triumph of Bacchus,” created in France during the first quarter of the 19th century. The composition is based on the famous ancient cameo Triumph of...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art

Materials

Gold, Brass

Sir Thomas Boleyn Handmade Brass Rubbing Art/British Royality
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, this brass rubbing is in good condition, Sir Thomas Boleyn (Bullen) circa 1539 , was the grandfather of Queen Elizabeth One. Appears to be gold leaf on black ...
Category

15th Century and Earlier British Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art

Materials

Gold Leaf

Pair of Antique Italian circa 1790 Carved and Gilt Neoclassical Panels
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Notable pair of decorative over-door panels dating from the height of the neoclassical period in all original very good condition. One with a Christies 1967 label on verso. A label i...
Category

Late 18th Century European Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art

Materials

Wood

The Virgin Mary Handing an Apple to Jesus as a Child, 19th Century, Carved-Wood
Located in North Miami, FL
Early 19th Century Italian carved-wood in high relief composed of various types of woods set into a marquetry panel with flat inlaid scrolling fruit tree foliage. The piece is compri...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Art

Materials

Acrylic, Lucite, Wood, Mahogany, Maple, Walnut, Burl

Neoclassical decorative art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Neoclassical decorative art for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage decorative art created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, porcelain and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Neoclassical decorative art made in a specific country, there are England, Europe, and United Kingdom pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original decorative art, popular names associated with this style include François Boucher, John James Audubon, Giovanni Battista Piranesi, and Sir William Hamilton. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for decorative art differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,875 and tops out at $2,500 while the average work can sell for $2,188.

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