Neoclassical Busts
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.
1
to
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Height
to
Width
to
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
Style: Neoclassical
Creator: Frederick Ernst Triebel
Larger-Than-Life Patinated Bronze Bust of President William H. Taft
By Frederick Ernst Triebel 1
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine and larger-than-life and very realistic museum quality patinated bronze bust of President William H. Taft (1857–1930) by Frederick Ernst Triebel (American, 1865-1944) cast by Nelli Foundry in Rome, Italy. William H. Taft, the 27th President of the United States and Jurist, is depicted with his renown thick mustache and wearing a bow tie, vest and coat. Inscribed on the back: F.E. Triebel. Sculp and Fond. Nelli, Roma, circa first quarter 20th century.
Due to its size, subject and high quality, this bust was probably commissioned for a Museum or public exhibition, such as an embassy or government building, the same way as other similar works by the sculptor.
The Roman foundry operated by the Nelli family during the last quarter of the 19th century cast works for many leading sculptors of the day, including Alfred Gilbert and Anton van Wouw...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Bronze
Related Items
Vintage Larger than Life-Size Bronze of Albert Einstein on a Garden Bench
Located in London, GB
This is a spectacular larger than life-size vintage bronze statue of the German-born theoretical physicist, Albert Einstein, sitting in a relaxe...
Category
1980s Vintage Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Bronze
H 49.61 in W 63 in D 47.25 in
A Pair of Patinated Bronze Busts Depicting Homer and Euripedes
Located in 263-0031, JP
After the Classical originals, these busts, in the form of herms (the bases are square) are stamped with the round “Collas“ seal, indicating that the reductions from the original siz...
Category
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Bronze
Larger Than Life Terracotta Buddha Bust of Guanyin, Early 20th Century, China
Located in Antwerp, BE
A massive larger than life terracotta buddha bust of Guan Yin,
China, early 20th century.
Broken and restored with wear and tear from enduring exposure to the elements.
Size: 75 cm high.
Weight: 40 kg.
Guanyin, Kwanyin, Guanshiyin or Guanyin Pusa is the Chinese interpretation of the bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara (the goddess of comfort and mercy). In addition, she is seen in Taoism as an immortal. The scripture dedicated to her is Dabeizhou. Guanyin is the goddess of compassion and the sea. She is one of the three saints of the western paradise, along with Mahasthamaprapta and Amitabha Buddha; they are worshiped to save departed loved ones from hell and grant them entrance to the western paradise.
Guanyin
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese 觀音
Simplified Chinese 观音
Transcriptions
Full Chinese name
Traditional Chinese 觀世音
Simplified Chinese 观世音
Literal meaning "[The One Who] Perceives the Sounds of the World"
Transcriptions
Second alternative Chinese name
Traditional Chinese 觀自在
Simplified Chinese 观自在
Literal meaning "Lord who Gazes down on the World"
Transcriptions
Burmese name
Burmese ကွမ်ယင်
IPA [kwàɴ jɪ̀ɴ]
Tibetan name
Tibetan སྤྱན་རས་གཟིགས
Vietnamese name
Vietnamese alphabet Quan Âm (Quán Âm)
Quán Thế Âm (Quan Thế Âm)
Quán Tự Tại
Chữ Hán 觀音
觀世音
觀自在
Thai name
Thai กวนอิม, พระอวโลกิเตศวรโพธิสัตว์
RTGS Kuan Im, Phra Avalokitesuan
Korean name
Hangul 관음, 관세음, 관자재
Hanja 觀音, 觀世音, 觀自在
Transcriptions
Mongolian name
Mongolian script ᠨᠢᠳᠦ ᠪᠡᠷ
ᠦᠵᠡᠭᠴᠢ
Japanese name
Kanji 観音, 観世音, 観自在
Hiragana かんのん, かんぜおん, かんじざい
Transcriptions
Indonesian name
Indonesian Kwan Im, Kwan She Im, Awalokiteswara
Filipino name
Tagalog Guanyin (ᜄᜓᜀᜈᜌᜒᜈ)
Sanskrit name
Sanskrit अवलोकितेश्वर (Avalokiteśvara)
Khmer name
Khmer អវលោកិតេស្វរៈ (Avalokitesvarak), អវលោកេស្វរៈ (Avalokesvarak), លោកេស្វរៈ (Lokesvarak)
Hmong name
Hmong Kabyeeb, Niam-Txiv Kabyeeb, Dabpog, Niam-Txiv Dabpog
Guanyin (traditional Chinese: 觀音; simplified Chinese: 观音; pinyin: Guānyīn) is a Bodhisattva associated with compassion. She is the East Asian representation of Avalokiteśvara (Sanskrit: अवलोकितेश्वर) and has been adopted by other Eastern religions, including Chinese folk religion.[note 1] She was first given the appellation "Goddess of Mercy" or "Mercy Goddess" by Jesuit missionaries in China.[1] Guanyin is short for Guanshiyin, which means "[The One Who] Perceives the Sounds of the World."[2] On the 19th day of the sixth lunar month, Guanyin's attainment of Buddhahood is celebrated.[3]
Some Buddhists believe that when one of their adherents departs from this world, they are placed by Guanyin in the heart of a lotus, and then sent to the western pure land of Sukhāvatī.[4] Guanyin is often referred to as the "most widely beloved Buddhist Divinity"[5] with miraculous powers to assist all those who pray to her, as is mentioned in the Pumen chapter of Lotus Sutra and Kāraṇḍavyūha Sūtra.
Several large temples in East Asia are dedicated to Guanyin, including Shaolin Monastery, Longxing Temple, Puning Temple, Nanhai Guanyin Temple, Dharma Drum Mountain, Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple, Shitennō-ji, Sensō-ji, Kiyomizu-dera, Sanjūsangen-dō, and many others. Guanyin's abode and bodhimaṇḍa in India is recorded as being on Mount Potalaka. With the localization of the belief in Guanyin, each area adopted their own Potalaka. In Chinese Buddhism, Mount Putuo is considered the bodhimaṇḍa of Guanyin. Naksansa is considered to be the Potalaka of Guanyin in Korea. Japan's Potalaka is located at Fudarakusan-ji. Tibet's Potalaka is the Potala Palace. Vietnam's Potalaka is the Hương Temple.
There are several pilgrimage centers for Guanyin in East Asia. Putuoshan is the main pilgrimage site in China. There is a 33 temple Guanyin pilgrimage in Korea which includes Naksansa. In Japan, there are several pilgrimages associated with Guanyin. The oldest one of them is the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage, a pilgrimage through 33 temples with Guanyin shrines. Guanyin is beloved by most Buddhist traditions in a nondenominational way and found in most Tibetan temples under the name Chenrézik (Wylie: Spyan ras gzigs). Guanyin is also beloved and worshipped in the temples in Nepal. The Hiranya Varna Mahavihar located in Patan is one example. Guanyin is also found in some influential Theravada temples such as Gangaramaya Temple, Kelaniya and Natha Devale nearby Temple of the Tooth...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Terracotta
H 30.71 in W 22.84 in D 14.57 in
Large Pair Patinated Life Size Bronze Statues Sculpture of Regal Big Cats Lions
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Large pair patinated life size bronze statues sculpture of Regal Big Cats Lions. Exceptional detailed high quality Large pair of Patinated bronze statues of...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Bronze
H 34 in W 53 in D 24 in
Art Deco Patinated Bronze Profile Bust of an African Woman
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A well cast bronze bust in profile of an African woman on a rectangular brass base. It is unsigned and has no marks. Origin could be Africa itself or France Art Deco Period.
Category
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Bronze
Jean Jules B. Salmson, A Patinated Bronze Sculpture of William Shakespeare
Located in New York, NY
Jean Jules B. Salmson, A patinated bronze sculpture of William Shakespeare, 19th Century.
Very rare sculpture of the famous William Shakespeare. A perfect fit for any library or gentleman's office...
Category
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Bronze
No Reserve
H 21.5 in W 8.5 in D 5 in
Larger Than Life Extravagant Folk Art Sculpture
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Outrageous larger than life piece of Folk Art painstakingly composed of found objects such as sea shells, beads, toys, vintage jewelry buttons, and bottle caps (to name a few). There...
Category
20th Century American Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Shell
French Patinated Bronze Bust of a Bearded Monarch, circa 1875
Located in New York, NY
On a gilt bronze base. The monarch wearing a diadem with strongly sculpted features.
Category
1870s French Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Bronze
Fine Patinated Bronze Bust of Napoleon Bonaparte by Renzo Colombo
Located in New York, NY
The bust depicts Napoleon having a firm expression or a determined commander, wearing his bicorne hat, an eagle spreading its wings below him.
Renzo Colombo (Italian 1856-1885), stu...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Bronze
Tibetan Patinated Bronze and Brass Buddha Bust
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Tibetan bronze figural bust of the Buddha with a natural green patina, resting on an oval polished brass plinth.
Category
20th Century Tibetan Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Metal, Brass, Bronze
French Antique Patinated Bronze Bust of an Elegant Woman
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
Antique Elegance with an Art Nouveau Twist !
Embrance the timeless beauty of the 19th century French School with this exquisite Art Nouveau bust sculpture. A captivating bust of a w...
Category
19th Century Unknown Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Bronze
A Patinated Bronze Bust of Lucius Verus
Located in 263-0031, JP
Lucius Verus was Co-Emperor with Marcus Aurelius during the first nine years of Marcus’ reign. A handsome guy, his image became popular during and after his imperial days. This bust ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Neoclassical busts for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Neoclassical busts 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 busts created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, building and garden elements, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with stone, marble and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Neoclassical busts made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and France pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original busts, popular names associated with this style include Affortunato Gory, Antonio Frilli, Camille Tharaud, and Copeland. 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 busts differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $400 and tops out at $75,000 while the average work can sell for $4,450.
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
African Bronze Bust
Papier Mache Bust
Porcelain Biscuit Bust
Bronze Bust Roman Emperor
Cultured Marble
Bust Of Queen Victoria
Cardinal Bust
African Wood Bust
Louise Xvi Furniture
Bust Of Beethoven
Aurelius Bust
Roman Plaster Head
Louise Xvi
Composite Bust
Bearded Man Bust
Terracotta Female Bust
Napoleon 1 Bust
Hermes And Apollo