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.
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Style: Neoclassical
Head of Roam Male in White Porcelain
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Evocative Mid-Century Modern Roman Head of male in white porcelain on faux malachite stand from a Palm Beach estate.
Square base measures 4 1/2 x 4 ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Porcelain
Marble Sculpture 'Bust of a Child' F. Gerth
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Marble sculpture (bust of a child) F. Gerth
Origin Italy, Rome circa 1900
perfect condition without restorations
Artist: F. Gerth.
Category
Early 1900s Italian Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Marble
Italian Carved Marble Bust of Ajax
By Bernini
Located in Atlanta, GA
A magnificent Carrara marble bust of Ajax. Exquisite rendering of the Greek hero featuring elaborate helmet. On an associated square base.
After Gian Lorenzo Bernini...
Category
1880s Italian Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Marble
Classic Italian Terracotta Bust of David
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Romantic sculptural bust in earthy terracotta of the classically handsome David.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Terracotta
Terracotta Bust of Benjamin Franklin, After Houdon, 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The bust is after the Houdon model done in 1778
Category
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Terracotta
Carved Marble Fragment of a Young Boy
Located in New York, NY
Carved marble fragment from a bust of a young boy, 20th century, his face depicted with a happy smile, unsigned, with associated white marble base. Mea...
Category
20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Marble
Antique Italian Neoclassical Carrara Marble Bust of Daphne, Apollo's First Love
Located in New York, NY
A fabulously hand carved antique neoclassical style Italian Carrara marble bust of Daphne. This bust is of immaculate quality and craftsmanship. Daphne's hair is beautifully hand car...
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Carrara Marble
Antique Carved Marble Bust in the Neoclassical Taste
Located in London, GB
A male portrait bust in the Roman manner by Lawrence MacDonald (1799-1878) Carved in Carrara marble, rising from a round socle supporting a waisted column, the bust having resemblances to Arthur Wellesley, the Duke of Wellington as a young man. Signed by the artist, 'L. MacDonald, Romae, 1847'. Dated 1847 Dimensions: H: 26 in / 65 cm W: 19.5 in / 49 cm D: 10 in / 26 cm Lawrence MacDonald (1799-1878) Macdonald worked as an ornamental sculptor for the architect James Gillespie Graham before entering the Trustees' Academy, Edinburgh, in 1822. In Rome, in 1823 he was one of the founders of the British Academy of Art. He returned to Edinburgh in 1826 and became a member of the Royal Scottish Academy in 1829. Four years later he settled in Rome, and from 1844 he worked in Bertel Thorvaldsen's former studio. He became the city's most fashionable portrait sculptor and, according to the Art Journal, his studio was filled with 'the peerage done into marble, a plaster galaxy of rank and fashion'. His sitters included the essayist Henry Taylor...
Category
1840s British Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Marble
Jo Mead Sculpture
By Jo Mead
Located in Chicago, IL
A Jo Mead plaster lion's head painted sculpture mounted on a custom acrylic stand. Jo Mead (American, 1919-2000) found in an important lake forest, Illino...
Category
20th Century American Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Paint, Plaster
19th Century Neoclassical Marble Thorwaldsen Bust
Located in Berlin, DE
Great Thorwaldsen bust.
Marble figure of the sculptor Thorwaldsen
Extremely expressive characterization, which, in an extraordinary detail, also reflects the facial expressions of hi...
Category
19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Stone, Marble
Italian Painted Roman Emperor Bust
Located in New York, NY
Italian Neo-Classic style (19/20th Cent) faux painted composition bust of a Roman Emperor wearing a red toga and mounted on a black square base.
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Busts
Mid-20th Century Terracotta Sculpture of a Lady
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
An mid-20th century bust of a woman on a wooden base. Signed with on brass sign "M.Rossie".
Category
Mid-20th Century Belgian Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Terracotta
Neoclassical Marble Sculpture Bust After Joseph Chinard
By Joseph Chinard
Located in London, GB
Neoclassical marble sculpture bust after Joseph Chinard
French, late 19th century
Measures: Height 65cm, width 34cm, depth 55cm
Portraying Madame R...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Marble
Very Fine Bust of Lady on Wooden Base
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very fine bust of a classical lady on wooden base signed Cognel. Dated 1884
Dimensions: Height 26.5", width 19.5", depth 13".
CW4125.
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Plaster
Neoclassical Style Marble Female Bust after Joseph Chinard
By Joseph Chinard
Located in London, GB
Neoclassical style marble female bust after Joseph Chinard
French, late 19th century
Measures: Height 63cm, width 33cm, depth 20cm
Portraying Madam...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Marble
18th Century French Marble Sculpture Bust of Dancer Marie-Madeleine Guimard
Located in Madrid, ES
This expressive 18th century marble portrait bust is of Marie-Madeleine Guimard (1743-1816), a successful dancer and one of the most famous courtesans of pre-Revolutionary France. The bust is unsigned, but identical to one in the collection of London's V&A museum carved...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Marble
Gilt Bronze and White Marble Bust of a Woman by Gory
Located in London, GB
This charming sculpture of a young woman is the work of the accomplished Italian-born sculptor, Affortunato Gory (1895-1925). Gory is best-known for his sculptures of women and child...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
Ecorche Marble Bust of a Man
Located in Stamford, CT
A Marble Ecorche (from the French word meaning to peal). An anatomical representation of mans muscle and bone structure. 19th century Italian marble bust.
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Marble
17th Century Wooden Bust of the Greek Poet Homerus
Located in Esbeek, NL
Late 17th century wooden bust of the Greek poet Homerus.
Damage on the right side of the bust, see picture.
Category
17th Century European Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Wood
Italian Neoclassic Style Bronze Poseidon Bust
Located in New York, NY
Italian neoclassic style cast bronze Poseidon bust with black metal stand (19th century).
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Bronze
Neoclassical Plaster Portrait Bust, Signed A. Frederich, Dated 1843
Located in Greding, DE
Large portrait bust of a middle-aged man in antique garb. The plaster bust is signed A. Frederich and dated 1843 on the underside and stands on an ebonised wooden column base. The bu...
Category
1840s German Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Plaster
Dragoljub Milosevic Jacqueline, 1998 Proof In Patinated Plaster
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Dragoljub Milosevic (1939-2019) Jacqueline, 1998 Proof In Patinated Plaster, Signed, Dated.
Category
Late 20th Century French Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Plaster
French Gilt Bronze and Marble Bust Sculpture by Gory
Located in London, GB
This elegant bust of a young woman was created by the acclaimed sculptor, Affortunato Gory (Italian, fl. 1895-1925). Affortunato Gory (also known as Fortunato Gory) studied under the...
Category
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
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
Italian Neoclassical Alabaster Portrait Bust of a Gentleman, by Insom Fece, 1839
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Italian neoclassical Alabaster portrait bust of a gentleman, by Insom Fece, 1839
Finely detailed portrait bust of young man with wavy hair. Inscribed signature on back right shoulde...
Category
1830s Italian Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Alabaster
American Bronze Patina Gentleman Bust
Located in New York, NY
American 1940s bronze green patina bust of a gentleman wearing a jacket and tie raised on a square plinth
Category
20th Century American Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Bronze
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 Busts
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Small Antique Bronze Bust of a Child after Jean-Antoine Houdon
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A good small bronze bust of a child after Jean-Antoine Houdon.
The child with head turned to the left in a downward gaze. Slightly pensive and some...
Category
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Bronze
Charming French Terracotta Bust on Ebonized Wood Base Depicting Young Child.
Located in Buchanan, MI
Charming French Terracotta Bust on Ebonized Wood Base Depicting Young Child. We also have other bust of various subject. Feel free to call with further questions.
Category
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Terracotta
Pair 19th Century Baroque Style German Carved Wood Busts of Putti
Located in Stamford, CT
A fine pair of carved fruit wood busts of young boys, or putti, South Germany, late 19th century. The realistically carved faces showing distinct personalities and intense gazes. Mou...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Fruitwood
Napoleon III French Solid Marble Bust, Signed by Sculptor of a Beautiful Women
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this rare and quite exquisite original 19th century Napoleon III French bust of a stunning young lady signed to the rear.
A truly stunning sculp...
Category
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Marble
Antique French Terracotta Sculpture Signed T. Foris
Located in Houston, TX
Antique French Terracotta sculpture signed T. Foris.
Well executed French terra cotta sculpture signed T. Foris (1921). This lovely French f...
Category
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Terracotta
19th Century Spectacular Clay Goddess of Summer in a Matching Pedestal
Located in Miami, FL
19th century spectacular clay Goddess of summer.
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Clay
Large Ormolu Bust of Julius Caesar, Emperor of Rome
Located in London, GB
This remarkable ormolu bust of the iconic Roman Emperor Julius Caesar is the epitome of neoclassical style design, and was originally intended as an overdoor decoration. Overdoors - ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
French bronze bust of a woman after Jean-Antoine Houdon
Located in London, GB
French bronze bust of a woman after Jean-Antoine Houdon
French, late 19th Century
Height 60cm, width 26cm, depth 22cm
This superb patinated bro...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Bronze
After Augustin Pajou, French, Large Terracotta Bust
By Augustin Pajou
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Large 19th century terracotta ceramic figurative sculpture, beautifully hand crafted after French neoclassical sculptor Augistin Pajou. Possible to be Marie Antoinette born Maria Ant...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Terracotta
Barbedienne Bronze Washington Bust
Located in New York, NY
Life size bronze bust of George Washington on square shaped black marble base (signed BARBEDIENNE) 19th Cent.
Category
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Marble, Bronze
4 Neo-Classic Bronze Woman's Masks
Located in New York, NY
4 Italian Neo-classic (19th Cent) bronze masks of a classical woman's face mounted on a modern ebonized metal rectangular base. (PRICED EACH) (Vary in height from 7" - 8/5")
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Bronze, Metal
Large Bust of the Pieta, Ralph Wood Jr, circa 1790
By Ralph Wood Pottery
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
A large and impressive bust, taken from Michelangelo’s Pietà. Creamware, modelled and made by Ralph Wood, with enamelling.
Category
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Earthenware
Classicizing White Marble Bust by J.H. Haseltine, Rome, 1870
By James Henry Haseltine
Located in New York, NY
Bust signed and dated "1870 Rome" by J.H. Haseltine, a sculptor who moved to Italy as part of a mass migration of American artists during the late nineteenth century. The sculpture i...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Marble
Large American White Marble Bust of a Gentleman by Randolph Rogers
By Randolph Rogers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fine 19th century white carved marble bust of a gentleman with mustache wearing a Toga.
Signed: Randolph Rogers, Rome.
Randolph John Rogers (July 6, 1825, Waterloo, New York – January 15, 1892, Rome, Italy) was an American Neoclassical sculptor. An expatriate who lived most of his life in Italy, his works ranged from popular subjects to major commissions, including the Columbus Doors at the U.S. Capitol and American Civil War monuments. Born in Waterloo, New York, he spent most of his childhood in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He developed an interest in wood cuts and wood engraving, and moved to New York City about 1847, but was unsuccessful in finding employment as an engraver. While working as a clerk in a dry-goods store, his employers discovered his native talent as a sculptor and provided funds for him to travel to Italy. He began study in Florence in 1848, where he studied briefly under Lorenzo Bartolini. He then opened a studio in Rome in 1851. He resided in that city until his death in 1892.
He began his career carving statues of children and portrait busts of tourists. He was not happy working with marble consequently all his marble statues were copied in his studio by Italian artisans under his supervision, from an original produced by him in another material. This also enabled him to profit from his popular works. His first large-scale work was Ruth Gleaning...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Marble
Charming Gilt Bronze Bust of a Woman
Located in Buchanan, MI
Charming gilt bronze bust of a woman, spectacular gilt finish.
Category
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Gold Leaf
Head of Paris Wood Sculpture after Antonio Canova
Located in New York, NY
Italian neoclassical carved olive wood sculpture depicting the head of Paris, circa 1810, after Italian artist Antonio Canova. Examples are known in marble and plaster in multiple ma...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Wood
Marble Busts of Roman. Circa 1830
Located in Hollywood, SC
Marble Busts of Roman on pedestal. Early 19th Century
Category
1830s Italian Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Marble
Pair of Alabaster Fredrick the Great and Napoleon Busts
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Continental German (19th/20th Cent) alabaster busts of Fredrick the Great and Napoleon raised on green marble column bases (by Fritz Kochendorfer...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Busts
French Painted Plaster Bust of Pierre Balguerie
By Baron François Joseph Bosio
Located in Dallas, TX
A French painted plaster bust of Pierre Balguerie after an original work by Baron Francois, Joseph Bosio.
Category
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Plaster
Unsigned American School Brutalist Bronze Figure
Located in Dallas, TX
Unsigned American School Brutalist bronze figure sculpture.
In my organic, contemporary, vintage and mid-century modern aesthetic.
Sourced by...
Category
20th Century American Neoclassical Busts
Materials
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.
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