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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
Period: 18th Century and Earlier
Antique Marble Bust of Venus
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An antique over life-size bust of Venus. Thanks to her scale, this Neoclassical style handcarved marble sculpture of Venus, Roman goddess of love and beauty, is very striking. Charac...
Category

Early 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Busts

Materials

Marble, Statuary Marble

Antique Marble Bust of Venus
Antique Marble Bust of Venus

Antique Marble Bust of Venus

18th Century Large Italian Marble Bust of Caesar Augustus
Located in Dublin 8, IE
18th Century Italian Marble Bust of Caesar Augustus. His draped robe is hand-carved in red rosso levanto marble with the face modelled in contrasting white Carrara marble. The piece ...
Category

18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Busts

Materials

Marble, Carrara Marble

18th Century Large Italian Marble Bust of Caesar Augustus
18th Century Large Italian Marble Bust of Caesar Augustus

18th Century Large Italian Marble Bust of Caesar Augustus

Antique Marble Statue of the Sleeping Ariadne
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
This late Georgian antique marble statue is after the antique, depicting a scale fragment of the eminent 2nd century statue ‘Sleeping Ariadne’. C...
Category

Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Busts

Materials

Marble, Statuary Marble

Antique Marble Statue of the Sleeping Ariadne
Antique Marble Statue of the Sleeping Ariadne

Antique Marble Statue of the Sleeping Ariadne

18th Century Terracotta Bust of Girl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautifully detailed. Hand sculpted terracotta on original marble plinth.
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Busts

Materials

Marble

18th Century Terracotta Bust of Girl
18th Century Terracotta Bust of Girl

18th Century Terracotta Bust of Girl

18th Century Neoclassical Bronze Doré Sculpture of Woman
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A masterful large classical statue in cast bronze of a beautiful young woman in stride wearing a flowing ionic chiton. The exquisite casting of ...
Category

Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Busts

Materials

Bronze

18th Century Neoclassical Bronze Doré Sculpture of Woman
18th Century Neoclassical Bronze Doré Sculpture of Woman

18th Century Neoclassical Bronze Doré Sculpture of Woman

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

Late 18th Century Sandstone Bust in Classical Greco-Roman Dress
Late 18th Century Sandstone Bust in Classical Greco-Roman Dress

Late 18th Century Sandstone Bust in Classical Greco-Roman Dress

18th Century French Louis XVI Plaster Bust Portrait of Nicolas de Condorcet
Located in Dallas, TX
An 18th French plaster bust of a young aristocrat with a charming gaze and a wonderful old patina.
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Busts

Materials

Plaster

18th Century French Louis XVI Plaster Bust Portrait of Nicolas de Condorcet
18th Century French Louis XVI Plaster Bust Portrait of Nicolas de Condorcet

18th Century French Louis XVI Plaster Bust Portrait of Nicolas de Condorcet

Joseph Charles Marin
By Joseph Charles Marin
Located in New York, NY
Cupid Holding a Bow by French Sculptor Joseph-Charles Marin (1759-1834) White Marble, signed and dated 1784 Provenance: Carl Singer, from the Estate of Charles Hitchcock Tyler, Beverly MA...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Busts

Materials

Marble

Joseph Charles Marin
Joseph Charles Marin

Joseph Charles Marin

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

18th Century French Marble Sculpture Bust of Dancer Marie-Madeleine Guimard
18th Century French Marble Sculpture Bust of Dancer Marie-Madeleine Guimard

18th Century French Marble Sculpture Bust of Dancer Marie-Madeleine Guimard

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

17th Century Wooden Bust of the Greek Poet Homerus
17th Century Wooden Bust of the Greek Poet Homerus

17th Century Wooden Bust of the Greek Poet Homerus

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

Large Bust of the Pieta, Ralph Wood Jr, circa 1790
Large Bust of the Pieta, Ralph Wood Jr, circa 1790

Large Bust of the Pieta, Ralph Wood Jr, circa 1790

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Large Italian Statue of a Sleeping Nymph
Located in London, GB
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Statuary Marble

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H 14.57 in W 28.75 in D 11.82 in
19th Century Classical Stone Bust
Located in NYC, NY
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19th Century Classical Stone Bust

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H 36 in W 28 in D 12 in
19th Century Marble Statue of Livia After the Antique
Located in Essex, MA
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19th Century Marble Statue of Livia After the Antique
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Marble Sculpture of Ariadne Seated on a Panther
Located in New York, NY
19th century Italian white marble neoclassical figure after Dannecker.
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Marble

Marble Sculpture of Ariadne Seated on a Panther
Marble Sculpture of Ariadne Seated on a Panther

Marble Sculpture of Ariadne Seated on a Panther

H 15.5 in W 14 in D 5.5 in
After the Antique Polychromed Bronze Bust of the Prima Porta Augustus Caesar
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
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After the Antique Polychromed Bronze Bust of the Prima Porta Augustus Caesar
After the Antique Polychromed Bronze Bust of the Prima Porta Augustus Caesar

After the Antique Polychromed Bronze Bust of the Prima Porta Augustus Caesar

H 34 in W 20 in D 10 in
French Late 18th Century Neoclassical Grey Marble Angel Head
Located in Buisson, FR
Unique and wonderful hand carved grey marble angel head, France, circa 1780-1800. Beautiful weathered. Measurement includes the wooden base.
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Busts

Materials

Marble

French Late 18th Century Neoclassical Grey Marble Angel Head
French Late 18th Century Neoclassical Grey Marble Angel Head

French Late 18th Century Neoclassical Grey Marble Angel Head

H 9.06 in W 5.52 in D 3.94 in
Small Rare Late 18th Century French Pewter Neoclassical Panel
Located in Buisson, FR
Gorgeous and beautiful weathered small pewter treasure. Great and rare pewter panel depicting a neoclassical scene. France circa 1780 Weathered and small losses. measurements include...
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18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Busts

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Pewter

Small Rare Late 18th Century French Pewter Neoclassical Panel
Small Rare Late 18th Century French Pewter Neoclassical Panel

Small Rare Late 18th Century French Pewter Neoclassical Panel

No Reserve
H 4.93 in W 10.63 in D 2.56 in
French Plaster Bust of a Classical Roman Male
Located in Houston, TX
French plaster bust of a classical roman male. Handsome Italian stone bust of a Classical Roman, circa 1920. This beautiful classical male bust sculpture i...
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Plaster

French Plaster Bust of a Classical Roman Male
French Plaster Bust of a Classical Roman Male

French Plaster Bust of a Classical Roman Male

H 18.75 in W 10.75 in D 10.75 in
After v. Dannecker, Ariadne & the Panther, Parian
Located in New York, NY
Grand tour style Parian ware copy after the original "Ariadne and the Panther" (1803) by Johann Heinrich von Dannecker (German 1758 - 1841), depicting the Cretan princess Ariadne, wi...
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Materials

Stone

After v. Dannecker, Ariadne & the Panther, Parian
After v. Dannecker, Ariadne & the Panther, Parian

After v. Dannecker, Ariadne & the Panther, Parian

H 9.75 in W 8 in D 3.5 in
Late 18th / Early 19th Century Italian Giltwood Neoclassical Angel
Located in Buisson, FR
Very nice handcarved giltwood neoclassical angel, Italy, circa 1780-1820. Weathered, small losses Measurements include the wooden base.
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Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Busts

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Wood

Late 18th / Early 19th Century Italian Giltwood Neoclassical Angel
Late 18th / Early 19th Century Italian Giltwood Neoclassical Angel

Late 18th / Early 19th Century Italian Giltwood Neoclassical Angel

H 18.51 in W 9.06 in D 4.73 in
Renaissance Style Marble Figure of Sleeping Child
By François Duquesnoy
Located in London, GB
This marble figure of a sleeping child was crafted around 1800 in the style of François Duquesnoy, a sculptor active in Italy in the early 17th Century....
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Early 1800s Italian Antique Neoclassical Busts

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Marble

Renaissance Style Marble Figure of Sleeping Child
Renaissance Style Marble Figure of Sleeping Child

Renaissance Style Marble Figure of Sleeping Child

H 11.82 in W 23.23 in D 10.24 in
Previously Available Items
Large Marble Busts of Roman Goddesses After Herms from Hadrian's Villa
Located in New York, US
Our pair of very large antique marble busts depicting Tragedy and Comedy, after the original second century herms uncovered outside the entrance to the theater of Hadrian's Villa in ...
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Large Marble Busts of Roman Goddesses After Herms from Hadrian's Villa
Large Marble Busts of Roman Goddesses After Herms from Hadrian's Villa

Large Marble Busts of Roman Goddesses After Herms from Hadrian's Villa

H 28.5 in W 18 in D 13 in
Caryatid Fragment, Franconia, Germany, ca 1770
Located in Greding, DE
Fragment of a caryatid made of sandstone, very beautifully worked out, standing on a rectangular base. The shelf has the following dimensions: 35 x 45 cm. Wonderful patina.  
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1770s German Antique Neoclassical Busts

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Sandstone

Caryatid Fragment, Franconia, Germany, ca 1770
Caryatid Fragment, Franconia, Germany, ca 1770

Caryatid Fragment, Franconia, Germany, ca 1770

H 33.86 in W 15.75 in D 17.72 in
Neoclassical Faux Painted Wood Pedestal
Located in Essex, MA
Rectangular top and tapered and panelled case and plinth base.
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Late 18th Century European Antique Neoclassical Busts

Materials

Wood

Neoclassical Faux Painted Wood Pedestal
Neoclassical Faux Painted Wood Pedestal

Neoclassical Faux Painted Wood Pedestal

H 46.38 in W 12.13 in L 46.38 in
18th Century Terracotta Bust of a Man
Located in Kittery Point, ME
The bust raised on a later granite socle.  
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Late 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Busts

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Terracotta

18th Century Terracotta Bust of a Man
18th Century Terracotta Bust of a Man

18th Century Terracotta Bust of a Man

H 12.38 in W 7.25 in D 4 in
Bust of Alexander the Great
Located in New Orleans, LA
An imposing work of extraordinary artistry, this marble bust captures the visage of Alexander the Great, the Macedonian King who is one of the most legendary figures in history. Crow...
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Marble

Bust of Alexander the Great
Bust of Alexander the Great

Bust of Alexander the Great

H 30.5 in W 15 in D 16 in
Terracotta Bust Sculpture of Bacchus, 18th Century, France
Located in Girona, Spain
Terracotta bust sculpture of Bacchus, the God of wine original terracotta sculpture. Beautiful patina. 18th century, France Vintage condition.  
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18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Busts

Materials

Terracotta

Terracotta Bust Sculpture of Bacchus, 18th Century, France
Terracotta Bust Sculpture of Bacchus, 18th Century, France

Terracotta Bust Sculpture of Bacchus, 18th Century, France

H 20.5 in W 14.6 in D 3.9 in
Terracotta Bust Sculpture of Persephone, 18th Century, France
Located in Girona, Spain
Terracotta bust sculpture of Persephone, the goddess of spring Original terracotta sculpture. Beautiful patina. 18th century, France Vintage condition.    
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18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Busts

Materials

Terracotta

Terracotta Bust Sculpture of Persephone, 18th Century, France
Terracotta Bust Sculpture of Persephone, 18th Century, France

Terracotta Bust Sculpture of Persephone, 18th Century, France

H 22.6 in W 15.3 in D 9.8 in
18th Century Walnut Statue of Minerva
Located in Vosselaar, BE
This French statue depicts the classical Goddess Minerva. Depicted without her war attributes she represents the virtue of wisdom. Not only the knowledge found in books (which probab...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Busts

Materials

Walnut

18th Century Walnut Statue of Minerva
18th Century Walnut Statue of Minerva

18th Century Walnut Statue of Minerva

H 21.26 in W 5.12 in D 3.5 in
18th Century Italian Marble Bust of Venus
Located in Pasadena, CA
An 18th century Italian marble bust of Venus carved from what appears to be Carrara marble on a bardiglio grey marble base. Facial features and wavy hair...
Category

18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Busts

Materials

Marble, Carrara Marble

18th Century Italian Marble Bust of Venus
18th Century Italian Marble Bust of Venus

18th Century Italian Marble Bust of Venus

H 21 in W 8.5 in D 8 in
Carved classical marble bust of Hercules, late 18th-Early 19th century
Located in London, GB
Of Flemish/low country provenance, late 18th-early 19th century. A sculptural antique of immense character, this piece will work equally well indoors in a contemporary setting.
Category

18th Century Belgian Antique Neoclassical Busts

Materials

Marble

Carved classical marble bust of Hercules, late 18th-Early 19th century
Carved classical marble bust of Hercules, late 18th-Early 19th century

Carved classical marble bust of Hercules, late 18th-Early 19th century

H 21.26 in W 16.54 in D 12.21 in
Italian Neoclassic Augustus of Primaporta Bust
Located in New York, NY
Late eighteenth century Italian Neoclassic bust inspired by the ancient Roman sculpture "Augustus of Primaporta." The young emperor's face and...
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18th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Neoclassical Busts

Materials

Marble, Siena Marble

Italian Neoclassic Augustus of Primaporta Bust
Italian Neoclassic Augustus of Primaporta Bust

Italian Neoclassic Augustus of Primaporta Bust

H 22 in W 15.75 in D 10.5 in
17th Century Florentine Marble Bust of Emperor Marcus Aurelius
Located in Essex, MA
Period Florentine Bust, Early, Of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius --17th Century --Mixed Marbles, Statuario Head --Neoclassical Early Period Prove...
Category

18th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Neoclassical Busts

Materials

Marble

17th Century Florentine Marble Bust of Emperor Marcus Aurelius
17th Century Florentine Marble Bust of Emperor Marcus Aurelius

17th Century Florentine Marble Bust of Emperor Marcus Aurelius

H 32 in W 22 in D 14 in

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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