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Neoclassical Busts

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
Marble Bust of a Young Man, Carrara Marble
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Marble Bust of a Young Man, Carrara Marble.
Category

19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Busts

Materials

Carrara Marble

Marble Bust of a Young Man, Carrara Marble
Marble Bust of a Young Man, Carrara Marble

Marble Bust of a Young Man, Carrara Marble

$7,200
French 19th Century Neo-Classical St. Bronze, Marble, Ormolu Bust of Marianne
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and most impressive French 19th century Neo-Classical st. patinated bronze, silvered bronze, ormolu, Rosso Verona and white Carrara marble bust of Marianne in full armor. The bust is raised by a thick Rosso Verona marble base with an elegant scalloped shape adorned with richly chased masks and swaging berried laurel garlands and centered by a striking fitted ormolu plaque...
Category

19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Busts

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

French 19th Century Neo-Classical St. Bronze, Marble, Ormolu Bust of Marianne
French 19th Century Neo-Classical St. Bronze, Marble, Ormolu Bust of Marianne

French 19th Century Neo-Classical St. Bronze, Marble, Ormolu Bust of Marianne

$44,500
Late 18th Century Pair Porcelain Busts
Located in Dublin 8, IE
Late 18th Century Pair Porcelain Busts depicting the Greek figures Homer and Artemis, both featuring firing marks. The bust of Homer is based on a much-restored Roman copy of a Hell...
Category

Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Busts

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Late 18th Century Pair Porcelain Busts
Late 18th Century Pair Porcelain Busts

Late 18th Century Pair Porcelain Busts

$4,187 / set
French 19th Century Neoclassical Style Patinated Bronze Bust
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome French 19th century Neo-Classical st. patinated bronze, ormolu and marble bust of David. The bust is raised by an elegant circular marble socle pedestal with a fine mottle...
Category

19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Busts

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

French 19th Century Neoclassical Style Patinated Bronze Bust
French 19th Century Neoclassical Style Patinated Bronze Bust

French 19th Century Neoclassical Style Patinated Bronze Bust

$19,800
Large American White Marble Bust of a Gentleman by Randolph Rogers
By Randolph Rogers
Located in Tarzana, CA
Fine 19th century white carved marble bust of a gentleman with mustache wearing a Toga. Signed: Randolph Rogers, Rome. Randolph John Rogers (July 6, 1825, Waterloo, New York – January 15, 1892, Rome, Italy) was an American Neoclassical sculptor. An expatriate who lived most of his life in Italy, his works ranged from popular subjects to major commissions, including the Columbus Doors at the U.S. Capitol and American Civil War monuments. Born in Waterloo, New York, he spent most of his childhood in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He developed an interest in wood cuts and wood engraving, and moved to New York City about 1847, but was unsuccessful in finding employment as an engraver. While working as a clerk in a dry-goods store, his employers discovered his native talent as a sculptor and provided funds for him to travel to Italy. He began study in Florence in 1848, where he studied briefly under Lorenzo Bartolini. He then opened a studio in Rome in 1851. He resided in that city until his death in 1892. He began his career carving statues of children and portrait busts of tourists. He was not happy working with marble consequently all his marble statues were copied in his studio by Italian artisans under his supervision, from an original produced by him in another material. This also enabled him to profit from his popular works. His first large-scale work was Ruth Gleaning...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Busts

Materials

Marble

Large American White Marble Bust of a Gentleman by Randolph Rogers
Large American White Marble Bust of a Gentleman by Randolph Rogers

Large American White Marble Bust of a Gentleman by Randolph Rogers

$14,500
17th Century Wooden Bust of the Greek Poet Homerus
Located in Esbeek, NL
Late 17th century wooden bust of the Greek poet Homerus. Damage on the right side of the bust, see picture.
Category

17th Century European Antique Neoclassical Busts

Materials

Wood

17th Century Wooden Bust of the Greek Poet Homerus
17th Century Wooden Bust of the Greek Poet Homerus

17th Century Wooden Bust of the Greek Poet Homerus

$2,153
Italian 19th Century Neoclassical Style Marble Bust Named La Sulamitide
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking Italian 19th century Neo-Classical st. white Carrara marble bust of a lady, named La Sulamitide, on the original Vert de Patricia marble pedestal column. The maiden has fi...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Busts

Materials

Marble

Italian 19th Century Neoclassical Style Marble Bust Named La Sulamitide
Italian 19th Century Neoclassical Style Marble Bust Named La Sulamitide

Italian 19th Century Neoclassical Style Marble Bust Named La Sulamitide

$39,800
French Painted Plaster Bust of Pierre Balguerie
By Baron François Joseph Bosio
Located in Dallas, TX
A French painted plaster bust of Pierre Balguerie after an original work by Baron Francois, Joseph Bosio.
Category

19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Busts

Materials

Plaster

French Painted Plaster Bust of Pierre Balguerie
French Painted Plaster Bust of Pierre Balguerie

French Painted Plaster Bust of Pierre Balguerie

$4,550
Joseph Charles Marin
By Joseph Charles Marin
Located in New York, NY
Cupid Holding a Bow by French Sculptor Joseph-Charles Marin (1759-1834) White Marble, signed and dated 1784 Provenance: Carl Singer, from the Estate of Charles Hitchcock Tyler, Beverly MA...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Busts

Materials

Marble

Joseph Charles Marin
Joseph Charles Marin

Joseph Charles Marin

$19,000
Antique Carved Marble Bust in the Neoclassical Taste
Located in London, GB
A male portrait bust in the Roman manner by Lawrence MacDonald (1799-1878) Carved in Carrara marble, rising from a round socle supporting a waisted column, the bust having resemblances to Arthur Wellesley, the Duke of Wellington as a young man. Signed by the artist, 'L. MacDonald, Romae, 1847'. Dated 1847 Dimensions: H: 26 in / 65 cm W: 19.5 in / 49 cm D: 10 in / 26 cm Lawrence MacDonald (1799-1878) Macdonald worked as an ornamental sculptor for the architect James Gillespie Graham before entering the Trustees' Academy, Edinburgh, in 1822. In Rome, in 1823 he was one of the founders of the British Academy of Art. He returned to Edinburgh in 1826 and became a member of the Royal Scottish Academy in 1829. Four years later he settled in Rome, and from 1844 he worked in Bertel Thorvaldsen's former studio. He became the city's most fashionable portrait sculptor and, according to the Art Journal, his studio was filled with 'the peerage done into marble, a plaster galaxy of rank and fashion'. His sitters included the essayist Henry Taylor...
Category

1840s British Antique Neoclassical Busts

Materials

Marble

Antique Carved Marble Bust in the Neoclassical Taste
Antique Carved Marble Bust in the Neoclassical Taste

Antique Carved Marble Bust in the Neoclassical Taste

$17,078
Charming French Terracotta Bust on Ebonized Wood Base Depicting Young Child.
Located in Buchanan, MI
Charming French Terracotta Bust on Ebonized Wood Base Depicting Young Child. We also have other bust of various subject. Feel free to call with further questions.
Category

19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Busts

Materials

Terracotta

Charming French Terracotta Bust on Ebonized Wood Base Depicting Young Child.
Charming French Terracotta Bust on Ebonized Wood Base Depicting Young Child.

Charming French Terracotta Bust on Ebonized Wood Base Depicting Young Child.

$1,200
Charming Gilt Bronze Bust of a Woman
Located in Buchanan, MI
Charming gilt bronze bust of a woman, spectacular gilt finish. Would look lovely in an office or library
Category

19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Busts

Materials

Gold Leaf

Charming Gilt Bronze Bust of a Woman
Charming Gilt Bronze Bust of a Woman

Charming Gilt Bronze Bust of a Woman

$950
A most impressive bronze bust of a 1920s South American gentleman.
Located in Central England, GB
This most unusual almost life sized heavily cast bronze bust depicts a very smart most likely South American gentleman dressed in a double breasted suit jacket with a shirt and tie. ...
Category

Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Busts

Materials

Bronze

A most impressive bronze bust of a 1920s South American gentleman.
A most impressive bronze bust of a 1920s South American gentleman.

A most impressive bronze bust of a 1920s South American gentleman.

$4,351

Neoclassical busts for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Neoclassical busts for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage busts created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, building and garden elements, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with stone, marble and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Neoclassical busts made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and France pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original busts, popular names associated with this style include Affortunato Gory, Antonio Frilli, Camille Tharaud, and Copeland. 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 busts differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $400 and tops out at $75,000 while the average work can sell for $4,450.

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