Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
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
NeoClassical Style Carved Head In Stone
Located in Southall, GB
A wonderfully hand carved rough stone head in a classical style.
This piece would make a fantastic centrepiece or talking point.
Category
Late 20th Century European Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Stone
$2,973 Sale Price
20% Off
Set of Three Italian Early 18th Century Neoclassical Period Terracotta Statues
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A beautiful and complete set of three Italian early 18th century neo-classical period terra cotta statues of maidens signed C PIERI. Each wonderfully ...
Category
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
A Nun, perhaps a theatrical figure. England, probably Plymouth, circa 1750
By Plymouth Porcelain Factory 1
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
An interesting soft-paste porcelain figure of a Dominican Nun, perhaps the theatrical figure Heloise.
Although the Nun appears in various versions in European and English porcelain,...
Category
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
Munich Girl in Gilt Bronze by Bailly Charles Eloy (French 1830-1895)
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Munich Girl in Gilt Bronze by Bailly Charles Eloy (French 1830-1895)
Beautiful figure of a girl in gilt bronze with a pointed hat and cap, signed Bailly
Measures:
Height: 14.5 centi...
Category
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
'Song of Solomon' Marble Sculpture by Sylvia Hayes
Located in Asbury Park, NJ
Fine sculpture in marble depicting the Song of Solomon 2:14 "O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock, in the covert of the cliff, let me see thy ...
Category
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
19th Century Biscuit Statuette Young Woman with Flowers
Located in Paris, FR
19th century biscuit porcelain figurine featuring a young woman holding a bunch of flowers in her skirt. This figurine is representative of ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
Basalt Portrait Medallion, Edward Bourne, Wedgwood, circa 1780
By Wedgwood
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
Portrait Medallion of Edward Bourne, bricklayer at the Wedgwood factory. A bricklayer was kept on staff in order to maintain the kilns.
This was modelled by Hackwood as an excercise...
Category
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Stoneware
18th Century Italian Carved Figure
Located in Los Angeles, CA
In excellent condition considering his age. She is very beautiful. From a significant home in Santa Barbara. Base is 9.5" x 10".
Category
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood, Giltwood
18th Century Italian Giltwood and Polychrome Saint
Located in Los Angeles, CA
In excellent condition considering age. Some losses and chips as expected with the age. From a beautiful home in Santa Barbara.
Category
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Giltwood
Patinated Bronze and Parcel-Gilt Classical Sculpture by Levêque
Located in London, GB
Patinated bronze and parcel-gilt classical sculpture by Levêque
French, Late 19th Century
Height 60cm, width 24cm, depth 24cm
This elegant neoclassical bronze sculpture is by the Fr...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Golden Angel Head
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Rare golden angel head, to hang: in the entrance as a welcome, in the bedroom for sweet dreams. Intact, without any retouching.
Category
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
$1,058
Figure: Female Pedlar, Possibly Peg Woffington, Bow Porcelain, circa 1758
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
On a mound base decorated with painted floral sprigs. She wears a pale pink-mauve washed shift with iron-red sleeves and cloak, pale mauve and pink stomacher and a sprigged white shi...
Category
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
$10,500 Sale Price
30% Off
Harlequin and Columbine Dancing, Chelsea, circa 1755
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
One of the best: Harlequin & Columbine Dancing, after the Meissen figure, from the series of characters from the Commedia dell'Arte.
Category
Mid-18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
$11,600 Sale Price
20% Off
French Alabaster Marble Girl Sculpture with Pets
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Girl sculpture with her two pets, a dog and a kitten in French Alabaster with color details
Measures:
Height: 100 centimeters
Diameter: 22 centimeters
Category
20th Century French Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Alabaster
French 19th Century Neoclassical Style Patinated Bronze and Ormolu Statue
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A superb and high quality French 19th century Neo-Classical st. patinated bronze and ormolu statue. The statue is raised by a rectangular ormolu base with a most elegant and decorati...
Category
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century Patinated Bronze Sculpture of a Dancing Female Figure
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th century patinated bronze sculpture of a dancing female figure, possibly a sea nymph. The figure stands on a base of seashells and repouses twirling a drape around her body. It b...
Category
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Itinerant Ballad Singer figures. Bow porcelain C1748
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
Flemish man and wife, in the white. He wears an open coat, waistcoat, breeches and tricorn hat, and plays a hurdy-gurdy. She wears a sleeved dress, long apron and linen cap and carri...
Category
1740s English Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
$12,950 Sale Price / set
30% Off
Doctor, from the Commedia Dell'arte, Bow Porcelain, circa 1752
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
Il Dottore from the Commedia dell’Arte, in the white.
He stands in an histrionic pose against a tree stump and wears a high brimmed hat (presumably a black academic bonnet), long-buttoned coat over frilled cuffs, falling jabeaux, breeches, boots and a cloak; his right hand on hip, his left arm and hand raised. Slightly grey-white porcelain; even, unctuous glaze. Straw translucency. Underside wiped; air hole at centre. Square hole at rear for mount. Measure: H 6.3 in (16 cm).
Provenance: Taylor Collection, from Stockspring Antiques, London, 1998. The Miss G...
Category
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
$7,000 Sale Price
30% Off
Figure of a Nun, Perhaps Heloise, Bow Porcelain Factory, circa 1750
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
A classic example of early bow porcelain.
The figure is of a Dominican Nun, and is based on a continental model, probably Meissen.
Bow produced a number of apparently religious...
Category
Mid-18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
Seal, I Still Hope, Derby Porcelain Works, circa 1760
By Derby
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
A delightul porcelain seal, depicting a young lady, seated on a mound. It is painted with the motto J'ESPRE ENCORE, or I Still Hope. No doubt this was intended as a gift, to be given...
Category
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of figures: Jupiter and Juno, or Zeus and Hera. Bow Porcelain C1752
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
She stands barefoot, wearing a long-sleeved robe in white, deep pink and washed pale yellow and partly edged with gold; a red and gilt-topped sceptre in her right hand, an outsize pe...
Category
1750s English Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
Figure of The Vintner's Companion, Bow Porcelain Factory, circa 1748
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
Moulded in a dense body in typical muses modeller style and with slightly drab glaze. She stands by a fruiting vinestock and carries an open basket of grapes in her right hand, her e...
Category
Mid-18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
$4,690 Sale Price
30% Off
Neoclassical Cast Stone Equestrian Statue, circa 1950
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Neoclassical cast stone equestrian statue circa 1950.
Category
Mid-20th Century European Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Cast Stone
Figure, Sportsman Toper, Bow Porcelain Factory, circa 1751
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
Probably an early prototype, the largely open base showing an apparently unique structure described by Watney as ‘a favourite primitive buttressed by a strong overall cone-shape and further strengthened by a cut-out additional layer inside the base in the manner of pastry making.’ (Freeman Collection, Forward, 1982).
Toper is an old English word for a drunk.
Annulet Mark.
Prov: Taylor Coll, Albert Amor...
Category
Mid-18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
$4,900 Sale Price
30% Off
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 Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble
$4,956 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Patinated Bronze Sculpture of Diana by Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in London, GB
Antique Patinated Bronze Sculpture of Diana by Ferdinand Barbedienne
French, late 19th Century
Dimensions: Height 60cm, width 22cm, depth 22cm
This...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Figure: David Garrick and the Shoeshine Boy, Bow Porcelain, circa 1751
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
A fashionably dressed gentleman, almost certainly the actor David Garrick: he wears a white frockcoat, pink waistcoat and red breeches, all with embroide...
Category
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
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 Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble
French 19th Century Neo-Classical St. Ormolu and Marble Statue of a Maiden
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An extremely elegant French 19th century Neo-Classical st. ormolu and Portoro marble statue of a maiden. The statue is raised by a rectangular Portoro marble base where the beautiful...
Category
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
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 Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble
$19,000
Jasperware Portrait Medallion, Marc Antony, Wedgwood, circa 1778
By Wedgwood
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
An important early portrait medallion of Marc Antony in plain white jasper, probably predating the invention of the ‘dip’ process, which is why it i...
Category
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Stoneware
$8,000 Sale Price
20% Off
Figure of Pointing Boy by Bow Porcelain Factory, circa 1751
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
Presumably based on the work of the Flemish sculptor François Duquesnoy (1597-1643), also known as Il Fiammingo.
A small series of Chelsea figures from the late 1740s was also ba...
Category
Mid-18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
$5,250 Sale Price
30% Off
20th Century Marble Figure, Putto with Springs of Wheat
Located in Paris, FR
Large marble figure depicting a young boy sitting on a rock, holding some springs of wheat. Carved in white luminous marble in the late 20th century, this figure is a work of exquisi...
Category
Late 20th Century French Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble
Winter, from the Four Seasons, Bow Porcelain Factory, circa 1750
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
A personification of Winter, from The Four Seasons.
Unusually fine condition for a figure of this period.
Category
Mid-18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
Charming Sculpture of Two Putti In Marble
Located in Southall, GB
A charming white marble sculpture of two childlike putti, warming their toes on a delicately carved wood fire.
The carving is skillful and detailed from the ruffled hair of the putt...
Category
Late 20th Century European Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble
$4,350 Sale Price
20% Off
Pair of 18th Century Italian Putti Candles
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Nice pair of Italian carved wood Putti that hold candles. The base is 7" x 7". The wing spread is 12". From a beautiful home in Santa Barbara.
Category
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood, Giltwood
$4,850 / set
Neoclassical Terracotta Centerpiece Sculpture by Joseph Cheret
Located in New York, NY
Our magnificent centerpiece bowl in terracotta by Gustave-Joseph Chéret (1838-1894) is fashioned as a Venetian gondola with Roman goddess seated at the bow and cherubs clinging to ga...
Category
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
Marble Pan With Flute
Located in Southall, GB
Beautifully and carefully carved Marble Statue of Pan playing a flute. The features are clearly visible and well done, with Pan pursing his lips to blow into the flute. A lovely real...
Category
Late 20th Century European Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble
$4,130 Sale Price
20% Off
Terra Cotta Figure After the Bronze by Pierre-Jean David d'Angers 1788
Located in Dallas, TX
a beautifully modeled antique terra cotta sculpture after the bronze by Pierre-Jean David d'Angers (French, 1788-1856) depicting Louis II of Bourbon, Prince of Condé (1621-1686), kn...
Category
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble
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 Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Pair Of Continental 19th Century Neo-Classical St. Bronze And Marble Statues
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A remarkable and high quality pair of Continental 19th century Neo-Classical st. patinated bronze and Rouge Griotte marble statues, attributed to J. Feiffer. Each statue is raised by...
Category
19th Century Unknown Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Bronze
19th Century French Terracotta Statue of Boy
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Finely-sculpted terracott figure of boy playing violin. Sit on a separate French dore bronze finely-cast base.
Category
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Pair of French 19th Century Neoclassical St. Patinated Bronze Statues
By Susse Freres
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A splendid and true pair of French 19th century Neo-Classical st. patinated bronze statues of Hermes and a nobleman, signed and stamped by Susse Frère...
Category
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Continental 19th Century Neoclassical St. Ormolu and Marble Statue of Athena
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most decorative and high quality Continental 19th century neo-classical st. ormolu and marble statue of Athena. The statue is raised by a plinth wit...
Category
19th Century Unknown Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
French 19th Century Neoclassical St. Ormolu And Marble Statue Of Cupid & Psyche
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exceptional and very high quality French 19th century Neo-Classical st. ormolu and white Carrara marble statue of Cupid offering a rose to Psyche. The statue is raised on a rectan...
Category
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
18th Century Italian Saint
Located in Los Angeles, CA
From a beautiful home in Santa Barbara. Slight chipping in silver leaf on back side. Beautifully detailed.
Category
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Silver Leaf
Pair of French 19th Century Neoclassical Style Marble and Ormolu Statues
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking true pair of French 19th century Neo-Classical st. black Belgian marble and ormolu statues of Cleopatra and Semiramis, signed Bouret 1874. Each statue is raised by an eleg...
Category
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Belgian Black Marble, Ormolu
French 19th Century Neo-Classical St. Ormolu and Rouge Griotte Statue of Athena
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking and very high quality French 19th century neo-classical st. ormolu and Rouge Griotte statue of Athena. The statue is raised by an elegant s...
Category
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Pair of Continental 19th Century Neoclassical St. Statues, Signed J. Feiffer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking and high quality pair of Continental 19th century neo-classical st. patinated bronze and Rouge Griotte marble statues, signed J. Feiffer. Each statue is raised by a fine t...
Category
19th Century Unknown Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble, 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 Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
Pair of 18th Century Italian Polychrome Candle Figures
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautifully carved and painted. Nice patina. From a beautiful house in Santa Barbara. They do hold candles on a spike.
Category
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood, Giltwood, Paint
Neoclassical figurative sculptures for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Neoclassical figurative sculptures 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 figurative sculptures created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, building and garden elements and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, stone and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Neoclassical figurative sculptures made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original figurative sculptures, popular names associated with this style include Bow Porcelain, Wedgwood, Ferdinand Barbedienne, and Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse. 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 figurative sculptures differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $195 and tops out at $228,710 while the average work can sell for $4,975.