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Neoclassical Paintings and Screens

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
Italian Neoclassical Bird and Garden Vignette Folding Screen
Located in Queens, NY
Italian neoclassical-style four panel folding screen hand-painted with an array of birds in a garden on the front and brown detailing on the reverse.        
Category

20th Century Neoclassical Paintings and Screens

Materials

Canvas, Wood

Italian Neo-Classical Style Landscape Painting 6-Paneled Folding Screen
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Italian Neo-Classical-style six-paneled canvas folding screen connected with brass hinges and painted with a vignette of figures at a river's edge surrounded by a painted, or...
Category

20th Century Neoclassical Paintings and Screens

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic, Wood

Italian Neo-Classical Style Figurative Painting 6-Paneled Folding Screen
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Italian Neo-classical-style six-paneled canvas folding screen connected with brass hinges and painted with a vignette of figures at a river's edge surrounded by a painted, or...
Category

20th Century Neoclassical Paintings and Screens

Materials

Wood, Canvas, Acrylic

Italian Neo-Classical Style Figurative Painting 6-Paneled Folding Screen
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Italian neo-classical-style six-paneled canvas folding screen connected with brass hinges and painted with a vignette of figures at a river's edge surrounded by a painted, or...
Category

20th Century Neoclassical Paintings and Screens

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic, Wood

Italian Neo-Classical Style Landscape Painting 6-Paneled Folding Screen
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Italian neo-classical-style six-paneled canvas folding screen connected with brass hinges and painted with a vignette of figures at a river's edge surrounded by a painted, or...
Category

20th Century Neoclassical Paintings and Screens

Materials

Canvas, Wood, Acrylic

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Japanese Four-Panel Folding Screen Byobu Signed Showa Period C.1950
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B9 Japanese Antiques Silver folding screen, 2panel
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Japanese Asian Signed Four Panel Folding Byobu Screen Landscape Flowers & Geese
Located in Studio City, CA
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Japanese Asian Signed Four-Panel Folding Byobu Showa Mountain Landscape Screen
Located in Studio City, CA
A gorgeous four-panel Japanese Byobu folding screen depicting a natural landscape scene with a small village and boats on the shimmering water. The dark, rich colors, gold leaf, and ...
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20th Century Japanese Neoclassical Paintings and Screens

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B15 Japanese Antiques 6panels, Silver Paper, folding Screen
Located in Niiza, JP
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20th Century Japanese Neoclassical Paintings and Screens

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Chinese Export Soapstone Folding Screen Room Divider
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this extremely well-made and highly collectable Chinese Export Soapstone room divider folding screen depicting court beauties A truly stunning and...
Category

20th Century Chinese Neoclassical Paintings and Screens

Materials

Soapstone

Chinese Export Soapstone Folding Screen Room Divider
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$2,399
H 37.41 in W 48.63 in D 0.79 in
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Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Neoclassical Paintings and Screens

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B11 Japanese Antiques 6panels, Paper, folding Screen with Flower & bird painting
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Previously Available Items
Vintage Neo-Classic Style Painted Pastoral Scene Four Panel Folding Screen
Located in Queens, NY
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Category

20th Century Neoclassical Paintings and Screens

Materials

Canvas, Wood

19th Century Dutch Nautical Screen
Located in Essex, MA
19th century two-panel room divider or screen. Showing Turkish sailing ship with sailors. Full sail and beautiful oared and masted vessel. Large scale. Fresh and narrative. Good colo...
Category

19th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Paintings and Screens

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Leather, Paint

Fine Quality Neoclassical Paint and Gilt Decorated Four-Panel Screen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Four panels each with fluted columns, archways and ornate flower vases. Each panel is 20" wide. Sticker on verso reads, made in Italy by Paolo Traveri.
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Paintings and Screens

Materials

Wood, Paint

Neoclassical paintings and screens for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Neoclassical paintings and screens for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage paintings and screens created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include asian art and furniture and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with fabric, canvas and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Neoclassical paintings and screens made in a specific country, there are Asia, China, and East Asia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original paintings and screens, popular names associated with this style include and Peter Marino. 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 paintings and screens differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $2,063 and tops out at $45,000 while the average work can sell for $20,300.

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