Neoclassical Desk Accessories
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.
30
to
4
19
8
30
30
30
292
46
40
34
30
29
26
25
11
10
9
9
4
4
4
6
30
38
1
13
6
7
3
3
1
1
2
2
Height
to
Width
to
25
13
11
6
6
25
13
5
4
4
2
1
1
1
1
Style: Neoclassical
Period: 19th Century
Doré Bronze And Enamel Writing Desk Casket
Located in New Orleans, LA
This exquisite French writing desk casket is a stellar example of neoclassical craftsmanship. Fashioned from Doré bronze and adorned with royal blue enamel, it features a classical t...
Category
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze, Enamel
Silver Inkwell For Czar Nicholas
Located in New Orleans, LA
This exquisite inkwell by the legendary Grachev Brothers was made for Czar Nicholas of Russia. Featuring intricately cut glass in a star pattern, the inkwell rests upon an exquisite ...
Category
Late 19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver
Landers, Frary & Clark Cast Iron Coffee Grinder/Mill
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This a large and heavy Landers, Frary & Clark cast iron coffee grinder#20 1/2. It has a bell shaped nickel hopper with a flat wood lid and two...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Materials
Iron, Nickel
Antique Lion Inkwell Desk Inkstand Napoleon French c1890
Located in Mimizan, FR
Antique Lion Inkwell Desk Inkstand French c1890
Handsome Lion
Bronze
Good condition with minor signs of wear for its age.
Category
1890s French Antique Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
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...
Category
1810s Italian Antique Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Materials
Carrara Marble, Bronze
French 1890 Etui Sealing Wax Case with Guilloche Blue Enamel in Sterling Silver
Located in Miami, FL
French etui sealing wax case.
Exquisite objet d'art, created in Paris France in the late 19th century, circa 1890. This is a etui sealing wax case, mast...
Category
1890s French Antique Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Materials
Multi-gemstone, Silver, Sterling Silver, Enamel
French 1819-1838 Neoclassical Louis XVI Rectangular Snuff Box Labrated 18kt Gold
Located in Miami, FL
French snuff box in solid gold.
Exceptional rectangular snuff box, crafted in Paris France during the second monarchic restoration period, between the 1818 and 1838. It was carefully crafted in the neoclassical Louis XVI style in solid yellow gold of 18 karats. Fitted with a hinged lid and embellished with intricate chiseled, engraved and guilloche finishes, Monogramed AS inside the counterpart of the lid.
Weight: 1l7.75 Grams, (75.48 Dwt).
Measurements: 89 mm by 54 mm by 20 mm (3.5 x 2.13 x 0.79 Inches).
Hallmarks: Stamped with ancient French marks; the Zeus head...
Category
1830s French Antique Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Materials
Gold
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...
Category
1880s Italian Antique Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Materials
Plaster
19th Century English Sheffield Silver Plate Lyre Shaped Letter Rack Holder
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...
Category
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver Plate
A Norwegian Porphyry Sphere
Located in Spencertown, NY
The purple/white stone in the shape of a sphere
Category
Mid-19th Century Norwegian Antique Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Materials
Porphyry
19th Century French Neo-Classical Style Gilt Bronze Desk Inkwell
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a 19th century French gilt bronze inkwell. Perfect coffee table art or desk statement piece. It is in very good condition and unmarked.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
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...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Materials
Carrara Marble
19th-C. French Neo-Classical Style Gilt Bronze Ram Form Inkwell
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a mid-19th century French gilt bronze neo-classical style ram form inkwell. It has dual rams to possibly hold the writing instrument.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Antique Bronze Marble Inkwell Desk Serpent Inkstand French c1880 FREE SHIPPING
Located in Mimizan, FR
Antique bronze marble inkwell desk crystal inkstand French c1880
Unusual serpent base
Bronze on variegated marble base
Holds pen across the top
With crystal inkwell
Free Shipping to...
Category
1880s French Antique Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Materials
Crystal, Marble, Bronze
Bronze inkwell George Josef Burgstaller (German/Austrian)
By George Josef Burgstaller
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Bronze inkwell Georg Josef BURGSTALLER
(German/Austrian)
Neo classical woman signed Burgstaller
ruge marble.
Category
1890s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Gilt-Bronze, Onyx and Enamel Cloisonné Centerpiece, France, Late 19th Century
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Gilt-bronze, onyx and enamel cloisonné centerpiece. France, Late 19th century.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Materials
Onyx, Bronze, Enamel
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.
Category
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Italian Grand Tour Marble Model of a Roman Labrum or Bath, circa 1810
Located in Kinderhook, NY
Rare early 19th century Italian Grand Tour model of an ancient Roman labrum (bath) or sarcophagus in exquisitely carved rosso antico marble having double ring handles and central lio...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble
Silver Desk Writing Set, Platerías Martínez, Madrid, Spain, 1845
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...
Category
1840s Spanish Antique Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver
Historical American Civil War Era Wire Frame Magnifying Eye Glass Spectacles
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A delicate pair of handmade magnifying wire rim eye glasses from the American Civil War era, circa 1860.
A great looking historical conversation p...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Silver Scribe or Desk Writing Set, Platerías Martínez, Madrid, Spain, 1819
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 Accessories
Materials
Silver
Bronze Sculpture with Marble Base, Signed Comolera, France, Late 19th Century
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Bronze sculpture with marble base. Signed Comolera. France, late 19th century.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Inkwell-Pairpoint Glass and Sterling with Controlled Bubble Pattern
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pairpoint Glass Company ball shaped inkwell with the controlled bubble pattern that became synonymous with the company. The glass was blown around a molded form to create a receptacl...
Category
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Materials
Sterling Silver
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 Accessories
Materials
Metal
French Empire Bronze of a Woman
Located in New York, NY
This Empire ormolu head of a woman was made as a furniture mount in France around 1810, and probably adorned a bed. In any case, closer to our own time, it was deemed worthy of mount...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
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 Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Italian Neoclassical Style Obelisks in Extinct Brown Alabaster
Located in New York, NY
Italian 19th century pair of neoclassical style obelisks made in rare extinct brown alabaster. The pair was made in Italy and is in great condition, wi...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Materials
Alabaster
American Brass Miniature Carriage Clock with Beveled Glass, New York. C. 1850
By James Mix
Located in Hollywood, SC
American brass miniature carriage clock with beveled glass, carrying handle , and signed enamel over copper face with dial. Clock consists of time, strike,...
Category
1850s American Antique Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Materials
Enamel, Copper, Brass
Handsome 19th Century Bronze and Marble Neoclassical Bust, Great Color & Patina.
Located in Buchanan, MI
Handsome 19th Century Bronze and Marble Neoclassical Bust, Great Color & Patina. Pristine Condition.
Category
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Late 19th Century French Cut Crystal and Ormolu Inkwell
Located in Chicago, IL
French late 19th century cut crystal and ormolu inkwell.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Materials
Ormolu
Neoclassical desk accessories for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Neoclassical desk accessories 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 desk accessories created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, more furniture and collectibles, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, stone and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Neoclassical desk accessories made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and England pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original desk accessories, popular names associated with this style include Wedgwood, Henrik Wigström, Georg Jensen, and Platerías Martínez. 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 accessories 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 $16,875 while the average work can sell for $1,450.
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Equestrian Desk
Crystal Inkwell With Lid
Hermes Desk Set
Retro Pen Holder For Desk
Telephone Cord
Bath Accessory
Bath Accessories
Dial Telephone
Sterling Silver Magnifying Glass
Antique Magnifiers
Office Paper Organizer
Tiffany Pen
Antique Magnifier
Victorian Antique Magnifying Glass
Tiffany Pens
Rotary Desk
Wax Seal Stamp
Irish Antique Desk