Neoclassical Barware
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 20th Century Neoclassical Barware
Silver Plate
Mid-20th Century English Neoclassical Barware
Stoneware
1960s Vintage Neoclassical Barware
Crystal
Early 1800s British Antique Neoclassical Barware
Sterling Silver
20th Century Spanish Neoclassical Barware
Brass, Bronze
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Barware
Gold Leaf
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Barware
Porcelain
1930s Vintage Neoclassical Barware
Sterling Silver
1780s English Antique Neoclassical Barware
Blown Glass
20th Century French Neoclassical Barware
Crystal
1940s Belgian Vintage Neoclassical Barware
Crystal
20th Century French Neoclassical Barware
Crystal, Bronze
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Barware
Tôle
20th Century French Neoclassical Barware
Crystal
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Barware
Glass, Cut Glass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Barware
Silver Plate
20th Century American Neoclassical Barware
Glass
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Barware
Glass, Rosewood
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Barware
Crystal
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Barware
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Barware
Silver Plate
1920s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Barware
Blown Glass
1780s English Antique Neoclassical Barware
Sterling Silver
Mid-19th Century Maghreb Antique Neoclassical Barware
Copper, Brass
20th Century French Neoclassical Barware
Bronze
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Barware
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Barware
Metal, Tin
20th Century French Neoclassical Barware
Crystal, Silver Plate
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Barware
Porcelain
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Barware
Metal, Brass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Barware
Brass
1830s American Antique Neoclassical Barware
Silver
2010s Philippine Neoclassical Barware
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century English Neoclassical Barware
Paper
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Barware
Sterling Silver, Stainless Steel
1880s American Antique Neoclassical Barware
Sterling Silver, Gold
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Barware
Silver Plate
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Barware
Porcelain
20th Century American Neoclassical Barware
Silver Plate
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Barware
Sheffield Plate
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Barware
Metal
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Barware
Silver Plate
Early 1800s British Antique Neoclassical Barware
Sterling Silver
1790s English Antique Neoclassical Barware
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Barware
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Barware
Silver
1790s English Antique Neoclassical Barware
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Barware
Crystal
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Barware
Silver
Mid-19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Barware
Sterling Silver
18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Barware
Silver