Neoclassical Folk Art
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
19th C Hollow Body Eagle Weather Vane
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fine 19th c patinaed eagle weather vane was found in New England. The iron base is a custom made stand. The condition is very good on this ear...
Category
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Folk Art
Materials
Copper, Iron
$2,636 Sale Price
20% Off
Leather Horse Animal Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful all leather horse animal sculpture, in the Ralph Lauren style, circa late-20th century. This hand-crafted piece is clad in a light ...
Category
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Folk Art
Materials
Leather
19th C Spongeware Tooth Brush Holder / Dish
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare 19th C spongeware tooth brush holder/dish.
Toothbrush holder - 3.5 x 5 Dish- 5 x 1.5.
Category
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Folk Art
Materials
Pottery
$716 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Pre-Colombian Casas Grande Olla Pot
Located in Bradenton, FL
Pre-Colombian Casas Grande Olla Pot, Arizona, c. 1150-1450 , Zoomorphic Polychrome Decoration. The Casas Olla Pot is made of clay and has a rounded, bulbous shape. It's surface is de...
Category
15th Century and Earlier American Antique Neoclassical Folk Art
Materials
Clay, Pottery
Vintage Model Wood House
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Vintage model wood house featuring front portico and door with many windows and four dormers. House has interior bulb that functions to light interior a...
Category
20th Century American Neoclassical Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Italian Faux Marbleized Gilt Acanthus and Berry Wall Mounted Console, Circa 1820
Located in Charleston, SC
Italian Faux marbleized wall-mounted console with a gilded lambs tongue egg and dart border, gilded scrolled acanthus legs, exterior and interior floral medallions, and resting on sc...
Category
1820s Italian Antique Neoclassical Folk Art
Materials
Marble
Cast Iron Horse Doorstop Signed Hunter
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cast iron horse doorstop Signed Hunter.
Copyright 1949. VA Metal Crafters, Waynesboro, VA.
Category
20th Century American Neoclassical Folk Art
Materials
Iron
$716 Sale Price
20% Off
Funky Distressed Red Wooden Vintage Washing Machine
Located in Hopewell, NJ
A fabulous vintage weathered red wooden washing machine that someone with imagination can use as a side table or found object that adds warmth and curi...
Category
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Folk Art
Materials
Wood
$650 Sale Price
31% Off
19th Century Original Paint Decorated Captains Chair with Eagle and Stars
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This amazing all original painted and decorated sea captains chair from New England. This chair has the original gilded surface and a red painted base. This plank seat chair is in gr...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Folk Art
Materials
Pine
19thc Eight Point Star Quilt
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fine eight point star quilt is in pristine condition with a couple minor tiny spots. Mostly posted on the back side. This is a very large quilt.
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Folk Art
Materials
Cotton
$1,516 Sale Price
20% Off
Watercolor of the American Barque A.J. Harvey in Marseilles by Honore Pellegrin
Located in Wiscasset, ME
Watercolor featuring the American Barque A.J. Harvey. Inscribed in the lower center of the painting and with the original handwritten adn signed label on the reverse. "Barque A.J. ...
Category
1850s American Antique Neoclassical Folk Art
Materials
Paint, Paper
"Long Island Sailing Grounds" Watercolor by Cappy Hjalmar Amundson
By Cappy
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
This is a unique Water color by the famed nautical painter C. Hjalmar Amundson. Born to the name Casper Hjalmar Emerson III, later changed to C. Hjalmar Amundson, he was only ever r...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Folk Art
Materials
Paper
Maitland Smith Hand Painted Neoclassical 4-Panel Folding Screen Room Divider
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Opulent, large scale, Maitland Smith hand-painted room divider folding screen. The Greco-Roman themed folding screen features neoclassical architecture and sculpture as decadent as the halls of the Roman Senate. Each of the four panels measures 34″ wide! The screen stands at 8 feet tall. The palatial scene could easily be used as theatrical backdrop...
Category
1990s Philippine Neoclassical Folk Art
Materials
Canvas, Hardwood, Paint
$5,996 Sale Price
25% Off
Mid-Century Hand-Crafted and Hand-Painted Hardwood American Duck Decoy
Located in Germantown, MD
An Mid Century, large, Hand-crafted and Hand-Painted American life size Duck Decoy measuring 20" in width, 9" in depth and 13" in height.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Folk Art
Materials
Hardwood, Paint
James Bama "the Drift on Skull Creek Pass", Limited Edition Numbered Lithograph
Located in Morristown, NJ
James Bama (American Artist, 1926-2022) "The Drift on Skull Creek Pass", offset print lithograph from the original photorealistic painting, pencil signed lower right and numbered 54/...
Category
1990s American Neoclassical Folk Art
Materials
Glass, Wood, Paper
18th Century Old Masters Oil Painting Attributed to Claude Joseph Vernet, France
Located in Traversetolo, IT
18th century old masters oil painting attributed to Claude Joseph Vernet, France. View of a Mediterranean port at sunset. Great pi...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Folk Art
Materials
Canvas
19thC Cast Iron Mechanical Owl Bank with a Turning Head and Glass Eyes, 1880
By Shepard Hardware Company
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous cast iron Owl bank with a turning head coin lever and glass eyes. Lot of the original paint still intact. Missing the lock on the underside, not visi...
Category
1880s American Antique Neoclassical Folk Art
Materials
Iron
20Th c Signed Bronze Bald Eagle Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
20Thc hand made bronze sculpture of a bald eagle in fine as found condition.This is so well constructed and very heavy.
Category
1930s American Vintage Neoclassical Folk Art
Materials
Bronze
$3,116 Sale Price
20% Off
20th Century Italian Ceramic Sculpture of Diana
Located in Atlanta, GA
This 20th-century Italian ceramic sculpture depicts Diana, the Roman goddess of the hunt, in an elegant and dynamic pose. Rendered in a glossy white glaze, the sculpture showcases Di...
Category
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Folk Art
Materials
Ceramic
Spinning Wheel, Walnut Wood, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Spinning wheel. Walnut wood carved and turned. XIX century.
Vertical spinning wheel made of carved walnut wood decorated with fine lines in certain areas and the use of balustrade...
Category
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Folk Art
Materials
Other
Early 19th Century Oil Painting of Jesus on Copper Panel
Located in Braintree, GB
Early 19th Century Oil Painting of Jesus on Copper Panel.
Presented is an early 19th-century artwork, meticulously rendered with oil on a copp...
Category
Early 1800s Italian Antique Neoclassical Folk Art
Materials
Copper
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 Folk Art
Materials
Carrara Marble
Running Horse Weathervane on Display Stand
By L. W. Cushing & Sons
Located in Atlanta, GA
A weathervane in the form of a running horse, that was likely modeled after "Dexter" circa late 19th century on a custom display stand. The full body molded horse has a gilt surface with verdigris patina. Not entirely sure of the maker but possible by L. W. Cushing & Co. In Waltham or Harris. Co in Boston. The surface has been re-gilt historically likely dated from early 20th century. A lovely piece that transcends American fold art...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Folk Art
Materials
Copper
19th Century Grain Painted Paneled Wood Door
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous grain painted solid wood paneled door.
Painted in the Trompe loi style to imitate rosewood or another exotic wood.
Door is grain painted on one side only. Other side is ol...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Folk Art
Materials
Hardwood
President Dwight D. Eisenhower Commemorative Ceramic Plate
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A round ceramic commemorative plate of President Dwight Eisenhower. The plate is circular, with gold detail around the edges, and a portrait of Presi...
Category
20th Century North American Neoclassical Folk Art
Materials
Gold
$160 Sale Price
20% Off
Folk Ceramic Butter Churn, Crock or Vase with Blue Stripe Decoration
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
This fine ceramic butter churn or crock is in fine condition for its age. Its body is cream, with a fluted top. Two blue stripes decorate the body, all ...
Category
20th Century American Neoclassical Folk Art
Materials
Ceramic, Ironstone
$360 Sale Price
20% Off
Large Antique Americana Gilt and Forest Green Painted Plaster Spread Wing Eagle
Located in Morristown, NJ
19th c., Americana, a large scale gilt and forest green painted cast plaster eagle, depicted spread-wing, with crisply detailed overlapping feathers. With mounting bracket on reverse. This is a very handsome example of an iconic form. The combination of the gilt and forest green paint is striking.
Depictions of eagles can be seen across American art. The national bird of the United States, the eagle has been used as a symbol of American freedom for centuries. This is a fine example in the style of John Haley Bellamy...
Category
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Folk Art
Materials
Plaster, Paint
Antique Late 19th Century Seascape Lighthouse Oil Painting
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Unsigned Maritime oil painting. Very good quality, by the hand of a professional painter. The painting is soiled from 100 years of exposure. The frame has some losses (chips) to the ...
Category
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Folk Art
Materials
Wood
$556 Sale Price
20% Off
Pair of Cast Iron George Washington Figural Andirons
Located in New York, NY
Pair of cast iron George Washington Andirons:
Measures: 9" x 20" x 16"
Weighs: 30 LBS.
Category
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Pair of Italian Griffon Majolica Terracotta Pedestals on Plinths. Circa 1850
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of Italian Neoclassical Griffon Majolica terracotta pedestals with flanking circular floral tops and resting on molded step back plinths. Mid 19th century.
Category
1850s Italian Antique Neoclassical Folk Art
Materials
Terracotta
$9,600 Sale Price / set
40% Off
Large 19th Century Flo Blue Soup Bowls in Watteau Pattern or Doulton
By Watteau Doulton
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of five flo blue soup bowls signed Watteau Doulton and in pristine condition. These English bowls are nice generous sizes.
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Folk Art
Materials
Pottery
$796 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Pair of Italian Painted and Gilt Urn Vitrines. Circa 1780
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of Italian painted and gilt vitrines with hinged glass tops, carved intertwined decorative floral vine motif, corner floral medallions, and terminating on bulbous fluted legs su...
Category
1780s Italian Antique Neoclassical Folk Art
Materials
Gold
Pair of Italian Demi-Lune Painted Floral Consoles with Spade Feet, Circa 1830
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of Italian neoclassical style painted demilune consoles with a centered floral medallion surrounded by a faux marbleized top, floral painted border and swag skirt, and terminat...
Category
1830s Italian Antique Neoclassical Folk Art
Materials
Brass
Rectangular Still Life Framed Painting of a Stagecoach, Oklahoma
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A small American Classical framed painting of a stagecoach. This piece is framed in a deep wooden frame, with gilt gold around the edges and brown and black on the inside and outside...
Category
20th Century American Neoclassical Folk Art
Materials
Gold
$280 Sale Price
20% Off
20th C Original Painted Hubley Boston Terrier Doorstop
By Hubbly
Located in Los Angeles, CA
20th C original painted Hubley Boston Terrier doorstop.
Category
20th Century American Neoclassical Folk Art
Materials
Iron
$556 Sale Price
20% Off
Original Oil Painting of Girl by Harry Roseland
By Harry Roseland
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Original Oil Painting of Girl by Harry Roseland. Painting is in excellent shape for its age. Harry Roseland was a New York painter who lived from 1866 to 1957. Known for his cand...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Folk Art
Materials
Paint
Antique Americana Quilt with Fan Motifs
Located in Atlanta, GA
An antique hand-made quilt circa 1890-1900s originated from Ohio. The quilt features a striking patched square pattern with fan motifs, all hand stitched with colorful cotton appliqu...
Category
1890s American Antique Neoclassical Folk Art
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Pair of Italian Painted and Gilt Floral Torchieres, Circa 1840
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of Italian painted and gilt torchieres with circular egg & dart medallion tops, floral decorative rings, intertwining floral tassels and terminating on acanthus tripod hoof feet...
Category
1840s Italian Antique Neoclassical Folk Art
The four Jorissen brothers 332 years old Together
Located in UTRECHT, UT
Obverse: OPRECHTE DANKBAARHEIT – WORD GOD HIER TOEGEWEIT, brothers behind burning altar under beaming cloud with the name of God in Hebrew
Reverse: DRIE EEUWEN TEIDS, EN TWEENDERTIG ...
Category
1760s Dutch Antique Neoclassical Folk Art
Materials
Silver
Swedish Armchair
Located in Vosselaar, BE
19th century Scandinavian armchair in beech and linnen. This charming armchair was made in Sweden in the local neoclassical style. As common practice in this region the chair is pain...
Category
Late 19th Century Scandinavian Antique Neoclassical Folk Art
Materials
Beech
$1,248
1621. Golden wedding anniversary Maarten Ruychaver and Aleyd van der Laen
Located in UTRECHT, UT
Obverse: ANNO – 1570 / .M. – .R. / .28. – OCTO, clasped hands coming out of the clouds, above the wedding date and the initials and coat of arms of Maarten Ruychaver, below two turtl...
Category
1620s Dutch Antique Neoclassical Folk Art
Materials
Silver
Pair of Italian Gilt Carved Wood Demilune Acanthus Wall Brackets, Circa 1800
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of Italian gilt carved wood demilune wall brackets with scrolled foliage acanthus motif. All original. Early 19th Century.
Category
Early 1800s Italian Antique Neoclassical Folk Art
Materials
Giltwood, Wood
Hand-Knotted Wool Rug in Cloud White and Dark Ivory, Textured Linear Pattern
By JAIPUR RUGS
Located in Milano, IT
Elevate your space with this 9' x 12' Jaipur hand-knotted wool rug, crafted in soft cloud white and dark ivory. Showcasing a subtle linear pattern, this rug combines traditional craf...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Neoclassical Folk Art
Materials
Wool
Antique Painting on Copper, "The Mockery of Christ”
Located in Milano, IT
Painting on copper. Italian school of the late 17th century. The scene, which recounts a moment in the Passion of Christ, is filled with the charac...
Category
17th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Folk Art
Materials
Copper
$8,083 Sale Price
20% Off
Boston Terrier Doorstop
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Boston Terrier doorstop in all original paint.
Category
20th Century American Neoclassical Folk Art
Materials
Iron
$556 Sale Price
20% Off
Painted 19th Century Armchair by Jean-Joseph Chapuis
Located in Troy, NY
Neoclassical green painted and gilt armchair with caned seat.
After a model by Jean-Joseph Chapuis.
The front legs retain their brass casters, the rear legs are missing the casters.
Category
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Folk Art
Materials
Cane, Wood
Antique Victorian Carved Walnut Marble-Top Dresser with Mirror, circa 1890
Located in Birmingham, AL
A stunning Victorian rosewood three-drawer dresser with oval swivel mirror. The mirror has an ornate scalloped frame and sits on a turned wood base and features cutouts to the mirror...
Category
Late 18th Century Antique Neoclassical Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Antique American Flying Geese Patterned Satin Quilt with Skirts
Located in Atlanta, GA
A fine American quilt of satin patchwork executed in the Flying Geese pattern circa late 19th to early 20th century. The main portion of the quilt consists of five columns of orange ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Folk Art
Materials
Cotton, Satin
Mid-20th Century Handmade American Square Quilt
Located in New York, NY
A vintage American square Quilt handmade during the mid-20th century.
Measures: 6' 1" x 6' 4"
Category
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Folk Art
Materials
Wool, Cotton
17th Century Italian Carving of Scholar
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Originally gilded. as notice some traces of gilt residue. From the collection of Verna Harrah. Harra's Casinos.
Category
Early 17th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Camel Boots Shop or Store Sign in hardwood, Circa 1960s
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a good original shop or store advertising sign made for CAMEL BOOTS.
The sign is shaped as a prism with a triangular cross section and is made of...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Folk Art
Materials
Hardwood
Antique French Limestone Medicine Bowl
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Designed and produces, 18th century
Limestone
Measures: 8" height, 14.5" diameter
Provenance: Flea Market Paris.
Category
Early 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Folk Art
Materials
Limestone
Framed Portrait Painting of a Man with Beard by American Artist Genie Brock
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Vertical portrait painting of a man by American artist Genie Brock. (Oklahoma, circa early 20th century) The subject is of an older gentleman with a gray head of hair and beard. He s...
Category
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Folk Art
Materials
Canvas, Wood, Paint
$1,500 Sale Price
25% Off
Huge Vintage Neoclassical Painted Panel with a Leopard and Monkeys
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Lofty vintage acrylic painting on wood of a fanciful composition with columns, ornaments, a leopard on a pedestal and monkeys executed in a tongue in cheek neoclassic trompe-l'oeil t...
Category
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Folk Art
Materials
Acrylic
Venetian Hand Painted and Gilt Figural Pagoda Two Drawer Commode, Circa 1780
Located in Charleston, SC
Venetian hand painted and gilt figural pagoda two-drawer commode with scalloped edge top, gilt carved shell form handles, and resting on a scalloped edge floral skirt with the origin...
Category
1780s Italian Antique Neoclassical Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Giltwood, Paint
19th C Handheld Muffin Bell Town Crier Fire Alarm Bell
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare 19th C handheld muffin bell town crier fire alarm bell. The bell features two Brass domes mounted back to back with iron, a turned wood handle, and a b...
Category
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Folk Art
Materials
Metal, Bronze
$716 Sale Price
20% Off
19th C Spongeware Slop Bucket with Lid
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th C Spongeware slop bucket with lid.
Category
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Folk Art
Materials
Pottery
$1,036 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Iron & Wood Fire Engine Large Model or Sculpture
Located in Plainview, NY
An antique fire engine model or sculpture, crafted from iron and wood, representing a fire engine from the 18th or 19th century.
The model is moun...
Category
Late 19th Century North American Antique Neoclassical Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Nautical Sailboat or Yacht Model in Blue and White with Painted Wood Body, 1930s
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Beautiful model sailboat or yacht created from wood, brass, and canvas. The body is painted in a deep blue at the bottom with white edges. A brass propeller sits underneath. All on a...
Category
20th Century American Neoclassical Folk Art
Materials
Metal
$1,600 Sale Price
20% Off
William Alexander Drake Oil Board, Ship at Dock
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Signed lower right. An impressive hulking ship with a green hull dominates the scene at a dock, perhaps for repair. The partial view of a steamship is in the right background.
Sigh...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Neoclassical folk art for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Neoclassical folk art for sale on 1stDibs. 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.
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