Handcrafted Iron Horse Bit Paperweight in Gucci Style, 1970s
$200Sale Price|20% Off
Handcrafted Iron Horse Bit Paperweight in Gucci Style, 1970s
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.
$200Sale Price|20% Off
Handcrafted Iron Horse Bit Paperweight in Gucci Style, 1970s
Antique English Blue John or Derbyshire Spar Egg Shaped Paperweight
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique paperweight. Comprised of Blue John (also known as Derbyshire Spar), a rare form of fluorite from England with distinct purple & yell...
Precious Stone
French 19th Century Neoclassical Bronze Paperweight Depicting Mercury
Located in London, GB
A beautiful French bronze Classical paperweight depicting Mercury.
Brass, Bronze
Norwegian Porphyry Sphere, Carved Neoclassical Paperweight, 1840
Located in Spencertown, NY
The purple/white stone in the shape of a sphere
Porphyry
Grand Tour Of Italy Souvenir, Carrara Marble Cameo Paperweight c19th Century
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Intriguing 19th century Grand Tour carved Carrara marble cameo depicting a strong male profile, possibly the Italian poet Dante Alighieri Antique Italian...
Carrara Marble
Art Deco Scottish Terrier Bronze Desk Ornament on Hardwood Base
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
A charming Art Deco Scottish Terrier desk ornament mounted on a beveled hardwood base, dating to the 1920s–1940s. The finely cast terrier features expressive modeling and a rich dark...
Spelter
$250 / item
Marble Chain Link Sculpture / Paperweight
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice marble chain link sculpture / paperweight, circa 1990s. The piece, which consists of four links, is in very good condition with no chips or cracks and measures 13.5"W x...
Marble
$556Sale Price|20% Off
English Bronze 'His Royal Highness Prince Albert' Commemorative Desk Clip
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
English Bronze 'His Royal Highness Prince Albert' Commemorative Desk Clip England, early 20th century A distinguished English bronze 'His Royal Highness Prince Albert' Commemorative...
Bronze
$675Sale Price|25% Off
Cristal Saint Louis Ivoire de Balmain Collectible Perfume Decanter/Bottle
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a Cristal Saint Louis cut crystal decanter of Ivoire de Balmain perfume. The bottle is urn shaped and it is a faceted clear crystal. There is...
Crystal
Vintage Brass Bust of Napoleon Paperweight
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This charming vintage miniature bust captures the iconic pensive gaze of Napoleon Bonaparte, a figure synonymous with French Empire grandeur. Cast in solid brass with a lustrous poli...
Brass
Collection of Table Ornaments 19th and 20th Century, Cut Crystal, Gilt Bronze
Located in Buchanan, MI
A collection of table ornaments, cut crystal gilt bronze 19th and 20th century, priced per item. Height of tallest 20 1/4 inches.
Crystal, Bronze
$12,000
H 13 in W 9.5 in D 5.75 in
Tiffany Studios Bronze Desk Lamp on Circular Fluted Base, New York. Circa 1920
Located in Charleston, SC
Tiffany Studios bronze desk lamp with original iridescent shade, scrolled bulbous harp, and resting on circular fluted base with the original five bal...
Bronze, Wire
Gucci Vintage Black Leather Desk Set 1970s
By Gucci
Located in Munich, DE
Stunning Gucci desk set made of black leather and brass. Four pieces include: massive desktop blotter or pad, huge letter opener, envelope holder and a leather pen holder with glass ...
Brass
Louis Lejeune Norwich Terrier Hood Ornament
Located in Huntington, NY
Louis Lejeune Norwich Terrier Hood Ornament Louis Lejeune Mascots adorn the finest European & American Cars. The British Royal Family have, for many years, displayed mascots on ...
Steel
Vintage Art Glass Paperweight, Italy, Contemporary Design, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage glass paperweight is an original Contemporary Design Object realized in the 1970s. Original art glass. Made in Italy. Dimensions...
Art Glass
$47 / item
H 0.4 in W 5.91 in D 2.76 in
Handcrafted Brass Gecko Decorative Paperweight in Bronze Patina
Located in London, London
Beautiful hand cast bronze patinated gecko paperweight. The polished details in the gecko's feet highlight the characteristic rose gold colour of bronze. Each of these geckos are ha...
Bronze
A Vintage Italian Grand Tour Specimen Marble Ruler, 20th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The 7 1/4" ruler with 8 different specimens inset with in a black marble frame.
Marble
Small Carved "Obsidian" Alien Head Paperweight, artist unknown
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Small Carved "Obsidian" Alien Head Paperweight, artist unknown "its not just speculation any more......... extra-territorials are real" "in good vintage as found condition"
Glass
$1,400
H 5.12 in W 3.15 in D 3.15 in
Art Deco Max Le Verrier / Artus Pelican Hood Ornament / Paperweight, France
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Art Deco Max Le Verrier / Artus Bird Hood Ornament / Paperweight - France. Hard to find circa 1925 famous Pelican by Artus. (Pseudonym for Max ...
Marble, Metal
Handmade Big Paperweight with Sphere Shape in Portoro Marble
By Fiammetta V.
Located in Carrara, IT
Paperweight with sphere shape in Portoro marble. Measure: Diameter 12 cm Each piece is in a way unique (since each marble block is different in veins and shades) and handcrafted in ...
Marble
Handmade Big Paperweight with Sphere Shape in Grey Bardiglio Marble
By Fiammetta V.
Located in Carrara, IT
Paperweight with sphere shape in grey Bardiglio marble. Measure: diameter 12cm Each piece is in a way unique (since each marble block is different in veins and shades) and handcraft...
Marble
Handmade Small Paperweight with Sphere Shape in Portoro Marble
By Fiammetta V.
Located in Carrara, IT
Paperweight with sphere shape in Portoro marble. Measure: Diameter 8 cm Each piece is in a way unique (since each marble block is different in veins and shades) and handcrafted in I...
Marble
Handmade Small Paperweight with Sphere Shape in Grey Bardiglio Marble
By Fiammetta V.
Located in Carrara, IT
Paperweight with sphere shape in grey Bardiglio marble. Measure: Diameter 8 cm Each piece is in a way unique (since each marble block is different in veins and shades) and handcra...
Marble
19th Century Polychrome Sculpture of a Roman Woman
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Italian original painted plaster sculpture of a young Roman woman in nice gilt dress and flower wreath. This well sculptured smiling lady cou...
Plaster
19th Century Gilt Bronze Eagle Fragment on White Marble Stand, Italy
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Italian gilt bronze sculpture of an eagle on a rectangular white Carrera piece of marble. The high quality of the gilt work and the early age makes the eagl...
Carrara Marble, Bronze
Turn of the Century French Bronze Sculpture
Located in High Point, NC
Made at the turn of the century in France, this bronze sculpture exudes a sense of peaceful contemplation. The detailed form depicts a seated woman, clothed in flowing robes. In one hand, dropped at her side, she holds a mirror; her face is turned away in a gesture of pensive serenity. The burnished patina of the bronze lends a gentle glow to the curves of her body and the raised folds of the cloth...
Bronze
Sold
H 6.625 in W 6.25 in D 2 in
Antique Victorian English Neoclassical Bronze Figural Musician Harp Bookends
Located in Dayton, OH
Two antique Victorian Neoclassical bronze bookends featuring a left and right facing pair of Greek or Grecian woman playing a harp (harpists). Marked England. Measure: 7".
Bronze
Vintage Brass Football Paperweight
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage brass American football paperweight or decorative sport memorabilia. Large and heavy. Great football sculpture in cast brass, football trophy...
Brass
18th-19th Century Neoclassical Italian Marble Claw
Located in Buisson, FR
Beautiful marble fragment, Italy, circa 1780-1850. Great to use as a paper weight. Weathered.
Marble
Brass William Shakespeare Repousse Embossed Round Charger Plate
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique 38" brass William Shakespear repousse embossed large round charger plate. Item features large impressive size, embossed maidens surrounding the frame, with William Shakespear...
Brass
French Gilt Bronze and Malachite Lion Paperweight
Located in London, GB
French gilt bronze and malachite lion paperweight French, early 20th century Measures: Height 4.5cm, width 8cm, depth 8cm This elegant paperweigh...
Malachite, Bronze, Ormolu
Italian Silver and Enamel Paperweight -Vesubio
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Italian silver and enamel paperweight -Vesubio- Memory of the eruption of Vesuvius Naples 1839 perfect condition Sealed Italian Palata 935 Weight 235 grams Goldsmith G Petochi...
Silver
Sold
H 4.73 in W 10.63 in D 6.3 in
Italian Antonio Canova White Marble Hand Sculpture, Early 19th Century
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Early 19th Century white marble artist hand sculpture. Delicate and smooth, this lovely white marble sculpture of a hand delicately holding a pen between it's fingers is the perfect ...
Marble
Sold
H 8.5 in W 3 in D 5 in
Vintage Bronze Griffin Gryphon Gargoyle Winged Lion Library Sculptural Bookends
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage bronze gryphon or winged lion library bookends on wood bases.
Bronze
18th-19th Century Neoclassical Italian Marble Claw
Located in Buisson, FR
Beautiful marble fragment, Italy, circa 1780-1850. Great to use as a paper weight. Weathered.
Marble