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
Vintage Cast Stone Bust of Male Figure
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Solid Cast Stone bust of male figure. Signed on the side.
Flat base can sit on mantle, pedestal or table.
See images for condition.
Category
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Cast Stone, Concrete
$2,624 Sale Price
20% Off
19th Century (Mid) French Marbel Bust of a Boy
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
19th Century (Mid) French Marbel Bust of a Boy
Beautiful piece purchased in France.
Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or message us with questions.
Category
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Marble
Two Coloured Marble Classical Style Male Bust
Located in Southall, GB
A highly decorative bust in two marble colours in the classical style. Skilfully carved with clean features, from the ruffled and curled hair to the drapery of the cloth garments. Th...
Category
Late 20th Century European Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Marble
$5,961 Sale Price
20% Off
Bronze Bust of a Classical Female Figure
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th Century Italian Patinated Bronze Bust of a Classical Woman, likely inspired by Greco-Roman goddesses or muses. The bust features finely detailed, flowing curls and an elegant ex...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Bronze
$1,475 / item
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
Classical Style Two Coloured Marble Bust In Beige And White
Located in Southall, GB
A decorative two coloured marble bust. Cleanly carved with delicate features, from the curling hair to the smooth draping of the cloth garments. Wearin...
Category
Late 20th Century European Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Marble
$5,148 Sale Price
20% Off
19th Century Bronze and Rouge Marble Bust
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Finley cast bust of lady on beautiful rogue marble plinth with a dore bronze accent ring at the base.
Category
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Late 18th Century Pair Porcelain Busts
Located in Dublin 8, IE
Late 18th Century Pair Porcelain Busts depicting the Greek figures Homer and Artemis, both featuring firing marks.
The bust of Homer is based on a much-restored Roman copy of a Hell...
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Ceramic, Porcelain
$4,133 / set
Late 18th Century Sandstone Bust in Classical Greco-Roman Dress
Located in Dublin 8, IE
Late 18th century neo-classical style hand-carved sandstone bust of a lady in classical Greco-Roman dress. Possibly a depiction of Daphne who was a Naiad n...
Category
Late 18th Century European Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Sandstone
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
Classical Style Two Coloured Marble Male Bust On Stand
Located in Southall, GB
Handsomely and skilfully carved, two coloured marble male bust on black marble stand, in the classical style.
The features are clear, with detailing sh...
Category
Late 20th Century European Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Marble
$5,961 Sale Price
20% Off
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
Portrait Medallions David Garrick & Sarah Siddons, Wedgwood, 19th Century
By Wedgwood
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
A matched pair of portrait medallions showing the famous actors Mr Garrick (C1830) and Mrs Siddons, (circa 1880). Framed as a pair, they work well together.
David Garrick and Sarah Siddons...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Pottery
$900 Sale Price / set
35% Off
Italian 19th century Neo-Classical st. marble, Ormolu, and bronze statue
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and finely detailed Italian 19th century Neo-Classical st. black Belgian marble, Ormolu, and patinated Bronze statue of Ajax the Great. This wonderful bust of Ajax the Gre...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Belgian Black Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
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
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
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
Napoleon III French Solid Marble Bust, Signed by Sculptor of a Beautiful Women
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
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
$4,267 Sale Price
30% Off
Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
Period: New
Condition: Good. Wear consists with age and use
Category
2010s Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Plaster
$2,900
Early 20th Century Vintage Regency Plaster Bust
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This exquisite Regency-style plaster bust captures the grace and elegance of classical portraiture. With finely sculpted facial features, flowing curls, and an intricately draped nec...
Category
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Plaster
Italian 19th Century Neoclassical Style Marble Bust Named La Sulamitide
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking Italian 19th century Neo-Classical st. white Carrara marble bust of a lady, named La Sulamitide, on the original Vert de Patricia marble pedestal column. The maiden has fi...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Marble
Italian Neoclassical Black Ceramic Bust Of Venus
Located in Bridgeport, CT
By VELLUM, Italy. A bust after an ancient sculpture of the goddess with her lovely wavy hair up and looking to the side. A detail of her pleated garment is seen on the lower edge.
R...
Category
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Ceramic
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
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
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
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.