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Neoclassical 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
Returnable Items Only
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 Sculptures

Materials

Plaster

Rare Late 18th Century Neoclassical Louis XVI Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
The circular white-enameled dial signed ”Detour Paris” with Roman hours and Arabic quarter marks, a further inner Arabic chapter ring for the day of month. Pierced gilt hands and a b...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Sculptures

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Enamel

Pair of Silvered Bronze Models of the Marly Horses After Guillaume Coustou
Located in London, GB
This pair of silvered bronze models show semi-clad classical male attendants restraining their rearing horses. They are modeled after the 1739 sculptures in marble by Guillaume Coust...
Category

19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Figure Faun with Flute, Wedgwood, circa 1870
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
After the antique “Piping Faun” now in the Louvre Museum; the result of it being bought by Napoleon from the Borghese collection. The "Piping Faun" is...
Category

1870s English Antique Neoclassical Sculptures

Materials

Stoneware

Decorative Mythological Relief Plaster Panel in Gilt Color
Located in Beirut, LB
This piece features an image depicting mythological creatures in plaster relief of two nude females and a man playing flute surrounded by bunch of grapes and leaves in gilt color. ...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Sculptures

Materials

Plaster

Patinated Bronze Torchère with Classical Female Figure
Located in London, GB
This beautiful piece consists of a patinated bronze female figure holding an urn with a glass flame, which serves as a lamp, all standing on a tall and finely decorated wooden plinth...
Category

19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Sculptures

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

Gilt Bronze Figure of a Lady Playing a Flute Sculpture
Located in Stamford, CT
An exquisite bronze sculpture of a lady with music instrument.
Category

1940s Vintage Neoclassical Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

18th Century Sculpted Verona Marble Putto
Located in Vosselaar, BE
Depictions of young angelic boys are also known as putti, or putto for a single one. Since the 17th century on they remained popular and are found in various forms. Perhaps the most known version is Cupid. Looking at their attributes time periods can be narrowed down. In this example we see a rose Guirlande and a medaillon which are typical for the late 18th-early 19th century. The Rosso Verona Marble...
Category

Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Sculptures

Materials

Marble

German Brass General Bruchner
Located in New York, NY
German brass figure of General Bruchner standing with hand on hip on square shaped pedestal base (19th Cent)
Category

19th Century Antique Neoclassical Sculptures

Materials

Brass

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 Sculptures

Materials

Alabaster

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 Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century Italian Neoclassical Style, Relief Carved Walnut Panel
Located in New York, NY
19th century Italian Neoclassical style carved walnut panel with relief carvings of dolphins and fruit with a scroll design and a center crown.
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Sculptures

Materials

Walnut

Jasperware Portrait Medallion, Marc Antony, Wedgwood, circa 1778
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 Sculptures

Materials

Stoneware

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 Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Kitty Clive Figure
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
One of Bow's theatrical figures. The actress Mrs Catherine (Kitty) Clive, 1711-1785, as Mrs Riot, the Fine Lady, introduced, with The Fine Gentleman, into David Garrick...
Category

Mid-18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Tragic Couple Antony and Cleopatra, Creamware, Ralph & Enoch Wood, circa 1780
By Ralph Wood Pottery
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
Cleopatra and Mark Antony, in enamelled creamware. After a model by Ralph and Enoch Wood, and quite likely made by this important partnership. The figur...
Category

Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Sculptures

Materials

Creamware

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 Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Young Women with Flowers by Sylvain Kinsburger
Located in Paris, FR
Late 19th century bronze group featuring two young women with flowers on a small naturalistic terrace. Signed on the terrace: KINSBURGER. Sculptor and engr...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Sculptures

Materials

Marble, Bronze

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 Sculptures

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

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 Sculptures

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Figure, Mercury, Bow Porcelain, circa 1748
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
He wears a winged helmet and sandals, a loosely draped pink, white, and yellow washed cloak over a short tunic, and leans arrogantly against bales, his message sack over his left sho...
Category

Mid-18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

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 Sculptures

Materials

Marble

Figure 'Scapino, ' from the Commedia Dell'arte, Bow Porcelain, circa 1751
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
Scappino, or Scapin, a zany (zanni) character from the commedia dell'arte: a buffoon, schemer and scoundrel, and the title character in Molière's Les Fourberies de Scapin, first staged in 1671. The Bow figure shows him standing to right against a tree stump, right leg forward; right arm concealed in a tabarro (cape), and a mask in his left hand. He wears a white doublet, gilt frogged in the Hungarian manner, neck ruff, pale yellow-washed breeches above buckled shoes; a pouch on a red-brown strap and a dagger in a scabbard at the waist. Low square plinth base washed in typical pale Bow ‘lettuce’ green. No discernible translucency. H. 5.0 in (12.6 cm). Provenance: Taylor Collection; Simon Spero London, 2008; the Faith and Dewayne Perry Collection. The Scapino figure was presumably based on the Meissen modelled 1743-45 by Peter Reinicke, assisted by Käendler, and from the series produced for Johann Adlf II, Duke of Weissenfels, after an engraving by Francois Joullain (1662-1753) for Riccobin’s Historie du Théatre Italien, 1728. The modelling and features of the Bow figure suggest the work of the ‘Muses Modeller’, and the pallete, gilding and detail are also those of the muses modeller figures. This figure illustrated Bradshaw, 1992, as circa 1753, Plate 10 (A12), p.64. Scapino is depicted musically in William...
Category

Mid-18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

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 Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

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 Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

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 Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Large 19th Century Parker American Carousel Horse
Located in Dallas, TX
Carousel Horse (American, 19th C) Wood carved with traces of paint with stand. An amazing decorative statement; this charming wood carved carousel horse shows character with traces of its original paint and jointed construction. The glass eye balls and facial features is a focal point from tail to hoof. Probably coming originally from a Long Island New York fair carousel ride, this bold yet soft piece draws eyes and complimentary statements as soon as guests see it. Comes with decorative wood stand! Attributed to Parker carousel horses...
Category

1890s American Antique Neoclassical Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Antique and Rare Bing & Grondahl Sculpture in Biscuit, Sculpture of Pharisee
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Antique and rare Bing & Grondahl sculpture in biscuit. Sculpture of pharisee after Thorvaldsen, circa 1870. In very good condition. Stamped. Measures: 29.5 x 14 cm. 1st factory q...
Category

1870s Danish Antique Neoclassical Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Pair of Bronze Ceres and Mercury Figures
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Italian Neo-classic style (19th Cent) bronze figures of Ceres and Mercury on pedestal bases with bronze scenes in relief and black marble
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Sculptures

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Turn of the Century Cast Venus after Bertel Thorvaldsen
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This turn of the century marble composite cast version of Venus after Bertel Thorvaldsen is in a wonderful state of decay. Over time she has lost both hand...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Sculptures

Materials

Composition

19th Century Neoclassical Bronze Musician
Located in Brighton, Sussex
An impressive 19th century bronze statue of a neoclassical musician, seated on a gilded classical chair playing a harp.
Category

19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Bronze Statue "Birth of Venus" by James Hunt, Neapolitan School
By James Hunt
Located in Vigonza, Padua
A very detailed, exquisite statuette, entirely executed in bronze with the lost-wax casting technique depicting "Birth of Venus". The patinated bronzes figure is mounted on a beautif...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Antique and Rare Royal Copenhagen Sculpture in Biscuit, circa 1870
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Antique and rare Royal Copenhagen sculpture in biscuit. Sculpture after Thorvaldsen, circa 1870. In very good condition. Stamped. Measures: 31.5 x 12 cm. 1st factory quality.
Category

1870s Danish Antique Neoclassical Sculptures

Materials

Other

1930s Hubley Cast Iron Basket of Lilacs & Daisies Floral Bouquet Doorstop
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A vintage Hubley cast iron doorstop showing a bouquet of lilacs and daisies set inside a woven basket with a top bow. The basket sits on a hea...
Category

Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Sculptures

Materials

Iron

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 Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Art by Araun Gordijn Fuel Pomp and VW Door
Located in Delft, NL
Art by Araun Gordijn Fuel Pomp and VW Door Art, Fuel pomp connected to a VW door Two pieces Made of wood, plastic and glass Made by Araun Gordijn born in 1947 Amsterdam Hand made ob...
Category

Late 20th Century Dutch Neoclassical Sculptures

Materials

Wood

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 Sculptures

Materials

Bronze, Metal

Early 1900's Neo Classical & Figural Bronze Floor Lamp w. Mercury and Nude Girls
Located in Lisse, NL
Beautiful and rare standard floorlamp with bronze sculptures of Mercury and Nude girls sculptures. This impressive and very well made, antique floor lamp dates from about 1910-1920...
Category

Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Small Sculpture of a Nude Boy on Malachite Base, Benjamin Schlick Mid-19th Cent
By Benjamin Schlick
Located in New York City, NY
A fine quality mid-19th century silver electroplate sculpture of a nude male figure after the antique, on original malachite base. A classica...
Category

Early 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Sculptures

Materials

Malachite

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 Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

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 Sculptures

Materials

Marble

18th Century Roman Marble Relief Portrait of Seneca
Located in Stamford, CT
18th century Italian marble relief portrait of the Roman Stoic philosopher Seneca, carved in deep relief and mounted on a red and white variegat...
Category

18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Sculptures

Materials

Marble

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 Sculptures

Materials

Fruitwood

Antique Bronze Sculpture Male Nude with Stone Hugo Siegwart H. 36 inch
By Hugo Siegwart
Located in Antwerp, BE
Description Impressive Antique sculpture of a male nude throwing a stone by the Swiss artist Hugo Siegwart (1865-1938) He worked in Germany and France. Artist/ Maker: Hugo Siegwart....
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Neoclassical Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

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 Sculptures

Materials

Clay

Continental Bronze Figure of Gagged Justice, 18th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
Continental bronze figure of Gagged Justice, 18th century. Bronze on marble base.
Category

18th Century European Antique Neoclassical Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Pair of antique terracotta allegorical figures
Located in London, GB
Pair of antique terracotta allegorical figures French, 19th Century Female figure: Height 223cm, width 63cm, depth 42cm Male figure: Height 216cm, width 63cm, width 42cm This statuesque pair of terracotta figures depicts a man and a woman, who represent the allegories of Hunting and Fishing, respectively. The figures are classically inspired and realised in the Academic style. The man holds aloft a bird, and the woman holds a fish while a net trails in her arm. Both figures are set onto circular bases, which stand on square pedestals with steps. Both pedestals are inscribed 'M.I.T.A.L/Terrecotte/IMPRUNETA' and one figure is inscribed 'Arnaud Etienne Henry...
Category

19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Sculptures

Materials

Terracotta

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 Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Bronze Greek Mythological Figure
Located in New York, NY
Small silver-plate over bronze nude Greek mythological figure with horns and tail standing on a small tierred base (stamped in corner)
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Sculptures

Materials

Silver, Bronze

19th Century Bronze Figure
Located in London, GB
A lovely bronze statue of a lady in Grecian dress being caught by a cupid holding an arrow. French, circa 1870.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Sculptures

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 Sculptures

Materials

Terracotta

Italian Bronze Tuscany Neoclassical Style Sculpture Featuring a Relaxed Woman
Located in Miami, FL
Italian bronze Tuscany neoclassical style sculpture featuring a relaxed woman in black base.
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

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 Sculptures

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Two Large Sculpted Marble Relief Plaques of St John and St James
Located in London, GB
These exquisitely carved marble relief plaques, are notable for their large size and fine detailing, and were made after two famous plaques of the...
Category

19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Sculptures

Materials

Marble

'War and Peace', Pair of Antique Italian Marble Figures
Located in London, GB
These beautiful antique marble figures are truly timeless works of sculpture, though they are almost 300 years old, they will still make joyous additions to a classical or antiques,i...
Category

18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Sculptures

Materials

Marble

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 Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century French Silver Patinated Bronze Borzoi
Located in Miami, FL
A 19th century French silver patinated bronze borzoi on a cream marble base. A beautiful depiction of this sleek handsome dog. In very good condition wit...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Sculptures

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Antique Molded Cement Decorative Brick Panels, Pair
Located in Sheffield, MA
The pair of antique molded cement architectural decoration are embellished in high relief with urns filled with fruit. One side is slanted on each and bot...
Category

Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Neoclassical Sculptures

Materials

Cement

Neoclassical sculptures for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Neoclassical 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 sculptures created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, bronze and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Neoclassical sculptures made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Germany pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original sculptures, popular names associated with this style include Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse, Paul Edouard Delabriere, Ernest Rancoulet, and Friedrich Gornik. 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 sculptures differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $320 and tops out at $8,500 while the average work can sell for $825.

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