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Neoclassical Desk Sets

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
Kodak No 2 Folding Pocket Brownie Model B 120 Roll Film Camera USA 1909
By Eastman Kodak
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Kodak No 2 Folding Pocket Brownie Model B 120 Roll Film Camera USA 1909 The No 2 Folding Pocket Brownie is a folding camera made by Kodak in Rochester, NY, USA, from c. 1909. It has...
Category

Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Desk Sets

Materials

Leather, Glass

Kodak No 2 Folding Pocket Brownie Model B 120 Roll Film Camera USA 1909
Kodak No 2 Folding Pocket Brownie Model B 120 Roll Film Camera USA 1909

Kodak No 2 Folding Pocket Brownie Model B 120 Roll Film Camera USA 1909

Twelve 19th Century Painted and Gilt Metal Desk Accessories
Located in London, GB
In a time of computers and technology, this antique desk set harks back to a more romantic period when people read letters at their desks by candlelig...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Desk Sets

Materials

Metal

Twelve 19th Century Painted and Gilt Metal Desk Accessories
Twelve 19th Century Painted and Gilt Metal Desk Accessories

Twelve 19th Century Painted and Gilt Metal Desk Accessories

French 1798 Neo Classic Stamp Seal In 18Kt Gilded Silver Carved Bust Of Flora
Located in Miami, FL
French neo classic desk seal. Wonderful desk seal, created in France during the late 18th century, back in the 1798-1808. This magnificent piece of a...
Category

1790s French Antique Neoclassical Desk Sets

Materials

Gold, Silver

French 1798 Neo Classic Stamp Seal In 18Kt Gilded Silver Carved Bust Of Flora
French 1798 Neo Classic Stamp Seal In 18Kt Gilded Silver Carved Bust Of Flora

French 1798 Neo Classic Stamp Seal In 18Kt Gilded Silver Carved Bust Of Flora

French Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze-Mounted Escritoire Desk
Located in Brea, CA
This Louis XV style vanity gilt bronze-mounted desk has one wide drawer in front and there are 6 drawers on two lines for even more storage. Fine writing desk with curved sides and g...
Category

20th Century American Neoclassical Desk Sets

Materials

Hardwood

French Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze-Mounted Escritoire Desk
French Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze-Mounted Escritoire Desk

French Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze-Mounted Escritoire Desk

Silver Scribe or Desk Writing Set, Platerías Martínez, Madrid, Spain, 1819
By Platerías Martínez
Located in Madrid, ES
Scribe with four inkwells and bell. Silver. Madrid, Silversmiths Martínez, 1819. With contrast marks. Notary of silver in its color composed of a rectangular tray (raised on four...
Category

1810s Spanish Antique Neoclassical Desk Sets

Materials

Silver

Silver Scribe or Desk Writing Set, Platerías Martínez, Madrid, Spain, 1819
Silver Scribe or Desk Writing Set, Platerías Martínez, Madrid, Spain, 1819

Silver Scribe or Desk Writing Set, Platerías Martínez, Madrid, Spain, 1819

Bronze Writing Set, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
On a tray of curved profiles decorated with moldings and scallops on its edges are the four containers that make up the desk. The sandbox or salvador, the duster and the inkwell pres...
Category

19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Desk Sets

Materials

Bronze

Bronze Writing Set, 19th Century
Bronze Writing Set, 19th Century

Bronze Writing Set, 19th Century

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Antique French 1880s Fruits on Perforated Cast Bronze Blank Round Wax Seal Stamp
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Vintage Eastman Kodak Kodascope Model K-75 Art Deco Movie Projector in Case

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Pair Wedgwood Blue and White Jasperware Desk Accessories

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Previously Available Items
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Bronze

Neoclassical Rococo Reticulated Foliate Gilt Bronze Cameo Letter Holder 20thC
Neoclassical Rococo Reticulated Foliate Gilt Bronze Cameo Letter Holder 20thC

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Located in New Orleans, LA
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19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Desk Sets

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Bronze, Enamel

Doré Bronze And Enamel Writing Desk Casket
Doré Bronze And Enamel Writing Desk Casket

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H 3.5 in W 4.13 in D 2.88 in
19th Century English Sheffield Silver Plate Lyre Shaped Letter Rack Holder
By Thomas Bradbury & Sons Ltd.
Located in Pearland, TX
A lovely antique English silverplate lyre shaped letter holder by Thomas Bradbury of Sheffield, dated 1872. Hallmarks on base. This beautiful letter rack has a Neoclassical design wi...
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19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Desk Sets

Materials

Silver Plate

19th Century English Sheffield Silver Plate Lyre Shaped Letter Rack Holder
19th Century English Sheffield Silver Plate Lyre Shaped Letter Rack Holder

19th Century English Sheffield Silver Plate Lyre Shaped Letter Rack Holder

H 6.5 in W 6.25 in D 3.75 in
Silver Desk Writing Set, Daoíz, Velarde, Ruíz and Arango at Monteleón, Madrid
Located in Madrid, ES
Scribe with four inkwells; Luis Daoíz, Pedro Velarde, Jacinto Ruiz and Rafael Arango defending the Monteleón Barracks on May 2, 1808. Silver in its color and gold plated. Madrid, Celestino Espinosa, 1822-1823. With contrast marks. Notary of silver gilt and in its color composed of a tray, two bells in the shape of a tent, four containers in the corners, four cannons with soldiers and a central architectural element resembling a fortification and including two drawbridges over a small "moat" circular...
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1820s Spanish Antique Neoclassical Desk Sets

Materials

Silver

Silver Desk Writing Set, Daoíz, Velarde, Ruíz and Arango at Monteleón, Madrid
Silver Desk Writing Set, Daoíz, Velarde, Ruíz and Arango at Monteleón, Madrid

Silver Desk Writing Set, Daoíz, Velarde, Ruíz and Arango at Monteleón, Madrid

H 12.21 in W 14.18 in D 11.42 in
Silver Desk Writing Set, Platerías Martínez, Madrid, Spain, 1845
By Platerías Martínez
Located in Madrid, ES
Scribe with three inkwells. Silver. Real Martínez silver factory, Madrid, 1845. With contrast marks. Notary of silver in its color composed of a rectangular tray with raised and op...
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1840s Spanish Antique Neoclassical Desk Sets

Materials

Silver

Silver Desk Writing Set, Platerías Martínez, Madrid, Spain, 1845
Silver Desk Writing Set, Platerías Martínez, Madrid, Spain, 1845

Silver Desk Writing Set, Platerías Martínez, Madrid, Spain, 1845

H 3.94 in W 9.06 in D 4.34 in
Silver Desk Writing Set, Martínez, Apolinar del Campo, Spain, 1803 and Later
By Platerías Martínez
Located in Madrid, ES
Scribe with three inkwells. Silver. Silversmiths Martínez and Apolinar Del Campo, Madrid and Vitoria, 1803 and later. With contrast marks. Notary of silver in its color composed of...
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Early 19th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical Desk Sets

Materials

Silver

Silver Desk Writing Set, Martínez, Apolinar del Campo, Spain, 1803 and Later
Silver Desk Writing Set, Martínez, Apolinar del Campo, Spain, 1803 and Later

Silver Desk Writing Set, Martínez, Apolinar del Campo, Spain, 1803 and Later

H 4.34 in W 9.85 in D 4.73 in
19th Century Italian Tooled Leather Desk Blotter
Located in Houston, TX
An elaborate antique Italian desk blotter in tooled leather with a center portrait along with other tooled designs and mask with scrolls in all fo...
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19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Desk Sets

Materials

Canvas

19th Century Italian Tooled Leather Desk Blotter
19th Century Italian Tooled Leather Desk Blotter

19th Century Italian Tooled Leather Desk Blotter

H 12.5 in W 18.5 in D 0.05 in
Silver Writing Set Manuel Díaz Del Castillo, Toledo, Spain, 1819
By Manuel Díaz del Castillo
Located in Madrid, ES
With hallmarks. On an oval tray decorated with an openwork balustrade, are placed various items: the inkwell, the sandpit and container with lid holed to let the feathers on, all si...
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1810s Spanish Antique Neoclassical Desk Sets

Materials

Silver

Silver Writing Set Manuel Díaz Del Castillo, Toledo, Spain, 1819
Silver Writing Set Manuel Díaz Del Castillo, Toledo, Spain, 1819

Silver Writing Set Manuel Díaz Del Castillo, Toledo, Spain, 1819

H 4.73 in W 7.88 in D 3.94 in
Antique Neoclassical Bronze Inkwell Desk Set
Located in Houston, TX
A 19th century neoclassical bronze desk set featuring two inkwells that are flanked by two elongated trays with a centre oval pedestal dish. The inkwells are black patinated sporting...
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Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Desk Sets

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Bronze

Antique Neoclassical Bronze Inkwell Desk Set
Antique Neoclassical Bronze Inkwell Desk Set

Antique Neoclassical Bronze Inkwell Desk Set

H 4.75 in W 13.5 in D 7 in

Neoclassical desk sets for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Neoclassical desk sets 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 desk sets created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, case pieces and storage cabinets, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, silver and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Neoclassical desk sets made in a specific country, there are Europe, Spain, and England pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original desk sets, popular names associated with this style include Platerías Martínez, and Thomas Bradbury & Sons Ltd.. 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 desk sets differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $395 and tops out at $10,530 while the average work can sell for $1,680.

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