Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
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
Mid-19th Century British Yacht Half Hull Model "Vivid"
Located in Bridgeport, CT
2.44 yacht half hull model of a racing sloop. An 1840s-1850s "Plank on Edge" cutter half block hull with applied stem, keel and rudder. The deck with stubbed bowsprit, stub mast, and...
Category
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
The Lenox Book of Home Entertaining
Etiquette Hardcover Elizabeth K. Lawrence
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
The Lenox Book of Home Entertaining & Etiquette Hardcover – January 13, 1989 by Elizabeth K. Lawrence.
From front dust jacket flap: "Presented in celebration of the centennial of Ame...
Category
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Miniature Artisan Valentines Room Box Dollhouse
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Unique whimsical artist made one of a kind Valentines miniature room box. Designed in a wooden frame with miniature dollhouse furniture, passamenter...
Category
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Pine Barrens Speculation, Edward Telfair Georgia Land Grant, 1792
Located in Savannah, GA
Washington County, Georgia land deed with survey warrant and beeswax state seal granted by Governer Edward Telfair to Col. Robert Middleton.
This la...
Category
Late 18th Century American Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Glass, Wood, Paper
19th Century Porcelain Huqqa with Bird Paintings
Located in London, GB
This huqqa (or hookah) is a wonderful item which is crafted from porcelain and finely hand painted and parcel gilt. The huqqa was created in the late 19th century, most likely in Rus...
Category
Late 19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Porcelain
Our Threatened Inheritance Natural Treasures of the United States Book R Fisher
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
America's national parks, forests, and wildlife refuges, Bureau of Land Managemnt holdings, and other Federally owned areas encompass more than 700 million acres. This volume covers ...
Category
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
American Realism A Pictorial Survey from the Early 18th Century to the 1970s
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
American Realism, a pictorial survey from the early 18th century to the 1970s.
Mathey, François
Published by Portland House, 1987
Title: American Realism: A pictorial survey from....
Category
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
The California Wine Book
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
The California Wine Book by Bob Thompson, Hugh Johnson. !st Edition by Morrow, 1976.Publisher description: This book, based on 15 years of close observation, is intended to explain w...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
J. Stobart Lithograph "Mystic Seaport. "The Charles L. Morgan" at Chubb
s Wharf
By John Stobart
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Marked mystic seaport Member's Edition #136/736 on the frame's plaque. Celebrating the 150th anniversary of the ship. Includes a framed swatch of the sh...
Category
20th Century Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Artisan Toys Dolls 3 Little Piglets Stuffed Toys
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Artisan made handcrafted brocade beige textile stuffed figurines of 3 little piglets, with brass bells and bead eyes. Unique collectible toys.
Category
1990s American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Textile
$151 Sale Price / set
44% Off
French Neoclassical Clarinet Wood Brass
Metal Table Lamp Black Gold Drum Shade
Located in Miami, FL
Neoclassical rosewood & brass clarinet table lamp mounted on a round metal base made in France.
Comes with harp and carved gilt wood finial an...
Category
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal, Brass
$1,760 Sale Price
20% Off
The Shuberts Present 100 Years of American Theater Book by Maryann Chach
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
The Shuberts Present: 100 Years of American Theater Book by Maryann Chach.
Looks at theater palaces owned by the Shubert Organization in New York City and shows how their history fits into the history of American theater during the twentieth century.Entrepreneurs and impresarios, the Shubert Brothers (Sam, Lee, and J.J.) produced some 600 plays, revues, and musicals from A Chorus Line to Cats and championed stars from Sarah Bernhardt and Ethel Barrymore to Al Jolson, Carmen Miranda, Judi Dench...
Category
Early 2000s Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Vintage 1968 Hardcover Time Life Library of Art the World of Rembrandt Book
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Beautiful and Collectible Vintage 1968 Hardback Time Life Library of Art “The World of Rembrandt” Book.
The World of Rembrandt 1606-1669 by Robert Wallace.
New York, NY, Time Life ...
Category
20th Century American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
MOTHERS A Loving Celebration 1997 Easton Press by Tara Ann McFadden
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Tara Ann McFadden MOTHERS: A LOVING CELEBRATION Easton Press.Norwalk, Connecticut: Running Press, 1997. Collectible First Edition; Fifth Printing. Hardcover. Near Fine, Leather Bound...
Category
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather, Paper
Bronze Weight, 18th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Weight of the 18th century. Bronze.
Bronze weight, incomplete, with the container glass and two of the smallest, all decorated in cold with incised and...
Category
18th Century European Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze
The Magnificent Continent Rand McNally and Iain Parsons Hardcover 1975
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
The Magnificent Continent Hardcover, January 1, 1975 by Rand McNally and Iain Parsons.1st Edition.Profusely illustrated text describes one hundred of the mountains, canyons, lakes, r...
Category
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Golden Moments: a Collection of United States 1984 Commemorative Olympic Issues
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Golden Moments: A Collection of United States 1984 Commemorative Olympic Issues
MICHENER, James A. (foreword)
Published by United States Postal Service, Washington, DC, 1984
Numerous color illustrations. A superb, tight first edition of what's really a study of "Paintings and 1984 Olympic postal designs by Robert Peak...
Category
20th Century American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
New Classic Interiors by Alessandra Branca Hardcover Coffee Table Book
By Alessandra Branca
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
New Classic Interiors by Alessandra Branca hardcover coffee table book in Box Sleeve.
Abrams, Dec 15, 2018 - Architecture - 272 pages.
For Alessandra Branca, living means living comfortably. Growing up in Rome, Branca was always surrounded by exquisite art and architecture. She learned early on that beauty is meant to intermingle with everyday life, and to this day her interior designs, while abiding by classical principles, comfortably accommodate her clients’ lifestyles. “You can’t just do something that looks pretty,†? she says. “It has to work.†? In this book, the designer—based in Chicago—generously reveals her step-by-step creative process, offering invaluable guidance to anyone who wants a home that is both gorgeous and livable. Beginning with her own Chicago townhouse and interweaving insights drawn from several other prominent projects, she shows how she assesses each space’s form and function, selects foundation elements, chooses furniture and lighting, and, finally, incorporates decorative elements that reflect the resident’s personality. Illustrated with 200 lush photographs, the book offers a welcomes introduction to Branca’s enchanting and livable interiors.
Great book for inspiring rooms, very knowledgeable and Alessandra Branca gives a wealth of information when it comes to decorating your spaces. Ms. Branca teaches you how she decorates for her clients!! This book is a must for someone who likes to decorate their own spaces.Alessandra Branca is an extremely talented designer. Dressmaking type details abound in the photographs in this book. She is just a cut above many designers out there.
New Classic Interiors starts off in Rome (her birthplace), then on to Chicago, and New York. There are great photos of projects and diagrams. The text is interesting and you will learn why certain things were created the way they were, her opinions on lighting, and general design information that make her rooms just a cut above other designs. If I had to be critical at all, it would be the use of red. This use to be one of my favorite home and clothing colors, but now blue reigns. Alessandra is heavily invested in the color red, and uses it magnificently!
As a passionate collector of interior design books...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Antique wooden Roulette game wheel with applied figures
Located in Milano, IT
Immerse yourself in the charm of a bygone era with this exquisite antique wooden game, a true testament to the beauty and craftsmanship of yesteryear. This extraordinary game feature...
Category
1830s Italian Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
$2,402 Sale Price
20% Off
French America By Arielle De La Tour D
Auvergne and Ron Katz 2005 Hardcover
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
French America By Arielle De La Tour D'Auvergne and Ron Katz 2005 Hardcover.
French America: French Architecture from Colonialisation to the Birth of a Nation is a stunning visual j...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
American Impressionism Oversized Hardcover Book by William H. Gerdts
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
American Impressionism Hardcover Book by William H. Gerdts.
American Impressionism Book by William H. Gerdts Hardcover Book.
Lavishly illustrated with more than 400 paintings by 125 different artists, this volume contains documentary photographs of the artists and quotations from their private letters and journals complementing the text.
Good copy bound in cloth with an equally fine dust wrapper. 336 pages;
Beginning with a brief prelude discussing the roots of Impressionism in America and its relationship to French Impressionism, Gerdts recounts the early adventures of American artists in Claude Monet's village of Giverny, evaluates Impressionism's progress from an avant-garde aesthetic to its triumph during the 1813 Chicago World Fair and its replacement by the radical styles of Cubism and Futurism. Also studies how Impressionism flourished across the United States and includes an exhaustive bibliography. Among the masters reproduced are Childe Hassam, John Twachtman...
Category
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Eminent Americans by Benson J. Lossing, Illustrated, 1890
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Lossing, Benson J. Eminent Americans: Comprising Brief Biographies of Leading Statesmen, Patriots, Orators and Others, Men and Women, Who Have Made American History. New York: John W...
Category
1890s American Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather, Fabric, Paper
The New Clay Techniques and Approaches to Jewelry Making, book
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
The New Clay: Techniques and Approaches to Jewelry Making.
A wonderful book, with over 100 color photos, on making intricate beads and jewelry using modeling clays such as "Fimo" and "Sculpey."
Everything you need to know to work with the new polymer clays is covered clearly in this book. Excellent working diagrams show how easy it is to make the most complex looking designs.
One of the first books...
Category
20th Century American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Bas Rilief with Profile of Ferdinando IV Borbone, 19th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Bas Rilief with profile of Ferdinando IV Borbone, dressed as a Roman Emperor.
Beginning of 19th century.
Wax sculpture within circular hickory frame.
Very fine piece belonging to ...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Hickory
18th Century French or Swiss Military Watercolor, Signed and Dated
Located in Stamford, CT
Very interesting drawing of two soldiers in uniform one most likely French holding a rifle with bayonet and the other, Swiss, dressed in a fancy red outfit with codpiece and odd hat holding a menacing looking mace. Behind them on either side are burning castles...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Saint Anthony of Padua with the Infant Jesus. Oil on canvas. Spanish school, 18t
Located in Madrid, ES
Saint Anthony of Padua with the Infant Jesus. Oil on canvas. Spanish school, 18th century.
Oil on canvas showing Saint Anthony of Padua (Lisbon, August 15, 1195 - Padua, June 13, 12...
Category
18th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Other
Monumental Pair of Italian Obelisks Covered in 19th Century Sheet Music
Located in San Francisco, CA
Italian monumental pair of wood obelisks made in the 20th century. Resting on four gold painted wood spheres and square bases, all covered in 19th century sheet music.
Category
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Italian Venetian Gilt Wood Barometer
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Venetian-style (20th Century) gilt carved and black painted barometer,with wreath top and cornucopia sides with scroll motifs.
Category
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Giltwood
Large Carnelian-plated Obelisk, From Maison Jansen, 1970s
Located in Brussels, BE
Large brass mounted and carnelian-plated obelisk.
In the style of Emilio Terry.
From Maison Jansen, France 1970.
Category
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Carnelian, Brass
$1,152 Sale Price
20% Off
Golden Angel Head
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Rare golden angel head, to hang: in the entrance as a welcome, in the bedroom for sweet dreams. Intact, without any retouching.
Category
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
$1,080
Italian Bronze Mortar and Pestle, Signed, Christopher Eberhardt, Circa 1830
Located in Charleston, SC
Italian bronze mortar and pestle. Christopher Eberhardt, Anno J667 Grabavw, Early 19th Century. Measures: 7.25" diameter at top, 5.75" diamete...
Category
1830s Italian Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze
Pair of 19th Century Italian Carved Walnut Cherub Wall Sculptures
Located in Dallas, TX
These antique wall cherub figures were crafted in Italy, circa 1880. The hand carved cherubs are expressive in their movement and feature wonderful movement and facial expressions. The religious sculptures are in excellent condition commensurate with age and use, and adorn a rich walnut patina. The wall hanging figures...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Walnut
Balancing Ship / Boat Wine / Champagne Cooler
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Antique balancing Nautical / ship / boat wine/champagne cooler holder with glass inner bowl.
This superb combination is in very good condition.
Rare bottle...
Category
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
$1,180 Sale Price
26% Off
Italian Neoclassical Walnut Cherub Prie Dieu w/ Sloped Shell on Kneeler, C. 1750
Located in Charleston, SC
Italian Neoclassical carved Walnut Prie Dieu with central robe cherub raising a foliage shell sloped shelf supported by a demi-lune plinth kneeler with a decorative scrolled foliage ...
Category
1750s Italian Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Walnut
19th Century Carved Giltwood Reliquary
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Finely carved and detailed with a mix of silver and gold leaf together. Overall width is 18.5" Dated and signed on back side.
Category
19th Century Austrian Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Giltwood
Saint Aloysius de Gonzaga (dress up). Spanish school, 18th century.
Located in Madrid, ES
San Luis Gonzaga, dressing room. Polychrome wood, etc. Spanish school, 18th century.
Carving made of polychrome wood that shows, on a rectangular base, a young man without a beard, ...
Category
18th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Other
Collection of Framed Antique Italian Plaster Intaglios
Located in London, GB
Collection of framed antique Italian plaster intaglios
Italian, Early 19th Century
Height 34cm, width 34cm, depth 4cm
This exquisite collection of eighteen plaster intaglios was cr...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plaster, Wood
Botticino marble architectural element, turned column, Italy
Located in Vicenza, VI
Turned column, executed in the early 19th century, measuring 51x13.5 cm, of Italian manufacture.
An architectural element in the full Neoclassical style, an architectural style that ...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Marble
$576 Sale Price
50% Off
Pair of Children, Polychromed Pine Wood, Spain, 18th Century and Later
Located in Madrid, ES
Couple of children. Polychrome pine wood, Century XVIII.
Pair of polychrome pine wood carvings that represent two children in an attitude of playing a musical wind instrument, both seated, with their hands towards their faces, and slightly raising one leg to add some movement to a posture that, otherwise, it would be perhaps too static. Due to their postures and attitudes, they would be part of a large and quality altarpiece, judging by the size, the details, the hair, the proportions, etc., elements in which the musical angels were not something strange. Note that those present do not have wings, calling themselves in these cases "putti" and being, in the same way, figures of habitual presence in religious environments despite having emerged from Renaissance classicism and its sources from Antiquity. The proportions of the sizes, the anatomy, the symmetry, the certain plasticism of the hair, etc. are elements that speak of an influence of Neoclassicism in these sculptures. Likewise, a certain resemblance to works from the 18th century of the Castilian school can be appreciated."
Size: 22 x 42 x 85 cms / c/peanas 37 x 37 x 180 cm. Weight is merely orientative. Bases and wooden instruments...
Category
18th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Other
Bronze Aspergillum, 18th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Hyssop. Bronze, 18th century.
Swab made of bronze, forming the usual circular part, followed by a shaft decorated with moldings, which separate a tubular part from another with a b...
Category
18th Century European Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze
Compendio Historico De Los Arcabuceros De Madrid, Soler, Isidro, Madrid, 1795
By Isidro Soler
Located in Madrid, ES
Historical summary of the arcabuceros of Madrid ... Soler, Isidro (fl. circa 1795), Madrid, 1795. Original, leather binding. 86 pages perfect state of conservation.
"Historical Comp...
Category
1790s Spanish Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Other
Pair of Antique Neoclassical Framed Carvings
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A pair of antique Neoclassical framed carvings.
Dating to circa 1820, this pair of unique carvings showcase stylised foliage and fruits, that create a sense of movement as they flow...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Pair of Porcelain Apothecary Jars
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This a pair of wide cylindrical white porcelain apothecary lidded jars. They are hand painted and decorated with some laurel’s branches in the front. The lids are shaped as doctoral ...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Porcelain
$880 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Naveta. Silver in its colour. Salamanca, Spain, 1824- 1850.
Located in Madrid, ES
Naveta. Silver in its colour. Salamanca, Spain, 1824- 1850.
With contrast marks and text.
Silver vessel in its colour with a circular, stepped base decorated with ready mouldings, ...
Category
19th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver, Other
Neoclassical collectibles and curiosities for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Neoclassical collectibles and curiosities 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 collectibles and curiosities created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles, decorative objects, wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Neoclassical collectibles and curiosities made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original collectibles and curiosities, popular names associated with this style include Choisy-le-Roi, Creil et Montereau, Theodore Roosevelt, and Assouline Publishing. 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 collectibles and curiosities differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $49 and tops out at $1,200,000 while the average work can sell for $1,300.
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