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Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities

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
Color:  Beige
Pair of Neoclassical Apothecary Jars by Maison A Collin Porcelaines & Cristaux
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Neoclassical Apothecary Jars by Maison A Collin Porcelaines & Cristaux France, Circa 1870s Signed : Maison A Collin Porcelaines & Cristaux a Collin paris 90 Rue de Rivoli W...
Category

19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Porcelain

Large Antique French Neoclassical Brass Scale
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Large Antique French Neoclassical Brass Scale, by Berenger & Co, Lyon France, Circa 1870 A stunning Large Antique French Neoclassical Brass Scale, crafted by the renowned Berenger & Co of Lyon during the mid to late 19th Century. This remarkable brass shop keepers, assay or pharmacist scale...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Jean-Gabriel Domergue's French Academician Sword
By Odette Domergue
Located in New Orleans, LA
This important and unique sword was presented to the famed French painter Jean-Gabriel Domergue to commemorate the painter's election to the illustrious Académie des Beaux-Arts in 1950. One of the highest honors bestowed on a French artist, the ceremonial induction into the French Academy has been accompanied by the presentation of a sword since the age of Napoléon. Rather than a weapon, the sword became part of the Academician's uniform, and, over time, its design came to represent the interests and aspirations of its recipient. This example was designed entirely by Domergue's wife Odette, a great sculptor in her own right, and thus it represents both a highly personal gift and an important art historical relic. The design of the sword is simply magnificent. Odette Domergue found her inspiration in antiquity, a theme that is also seen in the neoclassical sculptures that occupy the gardens of the couple's famous home, Villa Fiesole - also known as Villa Domergue - in Cannes. The impressive weapon boasts a solid gold handle that takes the form of a sinuous caryatid, who is nude save for a single swath of drapery. While the female figure recalls the sculpted supports prevalent in ancient Greek architecture, she also calls to mind the subjects for which Domergue was renowned - languorous, slightly risqué women with a seductive air. Other decorative elements such as fauna, cypresses, and grotesque heads enhance the whimsy and imagination of the incredible neoclassical design. Furthermore, the scabbard that contains the finely etched blade is also an impeccable work of art. Crafted of black Moroccan leather in imitation of the snake skin, it displays intricately engraved foliage patterns with a lion's head and Domergue's coat of arms. Though imagined by his wife, the sword was expertly chiseled by the celebrated goldsmith R. Delsinne and assembled by the atelier of the famed sculptor and medalist Raymond Delamarre...
Category

20th Century Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Steel

Letter from Theodore Dreiser Dated 19 Dec 1916 to Eliza Calvert Hall
Located in Dallas, TX
PRESENTING A FABULOUS Original hand-written Letter from Theodore Dreiser dated 19 Dec 1916 to Eliza Calvert Hall. The letter is entirely hand written with pen and signed by the re...
Category

Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Rare Collection of 35 Antique Plaster Medal Models
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Rare collection of 35 plaster casts from XIX century, as Grand Tour Souvenir. I found them like this: You can put them in frame according to the size...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Plaster

Vintage Whiting & Davis Evening Bag
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
A perfect elegant vintage American evening bag! All beaded by Whiting & Davis Co. - For You, now. With classic style and color, this vintage ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Acrylic

Antique Rand McNally & Company Schoolmap. Ancient Oriental Empires. Historical
Located in ROTTERDAM, ZH
This is a real unique map made by the famous Rand McNally Company. This rare schoolmap is probably made in the late 1920's. The map of all the ...
Category

1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Fabric, Paper

1864 U.S. Coast Survey of the Potomac River, from Indian Head to Georgetown
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An antique nautical map with hand-painted color accents entitled "Potomac River (in four sheets): Sheet no. 4, from Indian Head to Georgetown". Created b...
Category

19th Century Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Large Carnelian-plated Obelisk by Maison Jansen, France 1970
Located in Brussels, BE
Large brass mounted and carnelian-plated obelisk. In the style of Emilio Terry. By Maison Jansen, France 1970.
Category

1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Carnelian, Brass

Boy With Thorn "Spinaro" Sculpture Alabaster 19th Century
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Pretty alabaster sculpture of a young man removing a thorn from his foot. Theme taken up many times in the sculpture, the oldest known example of the boy with thorn...
Category

19th Century Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Alabaster

American Car Design Now: Inside the Studios of America's Top Car Designers
Located in North Hollywood, CA
American Car Design Now: Inside the Studios of America's Top Car Designers by C. Edson Armi. This title provides in-depth examinations of the creative process behind more than 30 c...
Category

20th Century American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Important Teddy Roosevelt Letter of June, 1911
Located in Dallas, TX
Presenting a very important Teddy Roosevelt Letter of June 1911 . On ‘The Outlook’ letterhead. Typed and personally signed and amended by President Theodore Roosevelt. Dated June 20th 1911. What makes this letter so important is the author, the office and the content. It refers to the beliefs and opinions of the then President and First Lady (Edith) towards the women’s sufferage and empowerment movement that was the ‘hot topic’ of the time. It is addressed to Eliza Calvert Hall/Obenchain who was a well known author at the end of the 19th Century and Early 20th Century. In 1905, Teddy referred to her book “Aunt Jane of Kentucky’ in a speech and recommended that every man in America should read it to understand ‘the plight of their womenfolk’. He regularly corresponded with her and we have a number of those letters in our collection. It appears that both he and Edith became big fans of Mrs Hall/Obenchain who was also heavily involved in the Suffragist movement. The letters also provide a fascinating and historic record of Roosevelt’s personal beliefs and feelings on female empowerment. The Letter Reads: The Outlook 287 Fourth Avenue New York Office of Theodore Roosevelt June 20th, 1911 “My dear Miss Hall: I am touched by your sending me “To Love and To Cherish”. But then, I am one of those included in the dedication, for I well know and dearly love ” Aunt Jane of Kentucky”. Mrs. Roosevelt and I do not feel that the hero ought to have yielded to his wife’s feelings ! Ultimately it was doing an injustice to her and to his children, as well as to the State. It is a good thing to have a Governor’s wife a woman who can be as gracious a hostess, and of as fine a type, as Dolly Madison...
Category

Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Important Teddy Roosevelt Letter of January 1918
Located in Dallas, TX
Presenting a very important Teddy Roosevelt letter of January 1918. On ‘Sagamore Hill’ letterhead. Fully handwritten and personally signed by President...
Category

Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Round Commemorative Plate of President Nixon 37th President
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A circular cream round commemorative plate of President Nixon. Reads Richard M. Nixon 37th President. Gold detail around the edges, with the image of P...
Category

20th Century North American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Ceramic

Large Custom Framed 1857 U.S. Coast Survey of the Chesapeake Bay
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An antique 1850's nautical map with hand-painted color accents entitled “Chesapeake Bay; Sheet no. 2: Head of the Bay to the Mouth of the Potomac River”....
Category

1850s American Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Early Panorama Children’s Book Hiawatha Illustrated by Willy Pogany London 1914
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Antique panorama children’s book illustrated by Willy Pogany and retold by Edith L Elias. A total of 14 panels, one side with illustrations, and the other with text. Published by George G. Harrap & Company. This book is part of a children’s series by Willy Pogány of folding panoramas illustrations and text, inspired by American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s 1855 epic, The Song of Hiawatha. Lines from Longfellow run underneath Pogány’s illustrations, which follow the Ojibwe child Hiawatha from his early kinship with the wild animals, through his struggles with Nahma, King of Fishes, and his own estranged father, Mudjekeewis, up to his courtship of Laughing Water (Minnehaha). The prose text by Edith Elias, printed on the verso of the panorama, carries Hiawatha’s story farther, through the death of Minnehaha and the coming of “the Pale-Face Chief.” Pogány’s dynamic frames, with their striking use of negative space, show the influence not only of Golden Age illustrators like Walter Crane, but also the new generation of cartoonists like Winsor McCay...
Category

1910s English Vintage Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Four Antique Italian Extreme Erotica Hand Painted Pottery Tiles of Monks & Nuns
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This set of four antique hand painted pottery tiles are all unsigned, so no specific artist can be identified, but are presumed to have be...
Category

Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Pottery

18th Century French or Swiss Military Watercolor, Signed and Dated
Located in Stamford, CT
Very interesting drawing of two soldiers in uniform one most likely French holding a rifle with bayonet and the other, Swiss, dressed in a fancy red outfit with codpiece and odd hat holding a menacing looking mace. Behind them on either side are burning castles...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities

A Rare and Important American Marble Sculpture of Thomas Jefferson, Circa 1870
Located in New York, NY
A Rare and Important American White Marble Sculpture of Thomas Jefferson Holding The Declaration of Independence. Circa 1870, in the Manner of Horatio Stone (1808 –1875). Inscribed on scroll: 'The Declaration of Independence, It becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another. etc. etc. T. Jefferson. The present work is unsigned but is reminiscent of Horatio Stone's life-size marble figure of John Hancock...
Category

19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Marble

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Jean-Michel Basquiat The Paris Review, 1989 'Vintage Jean-Michel Basquiat'
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Jean-Michel Basquiat The Paris Review: 1989 The Paris Review book, featuring Jean-Michel Basquiat cover art. Imagery features a reproduction of Basquiat's (untitled) 1982 Jackson. Offset lithograph on double sided art book. Measures approximately: 5.5 x 9 inches; soft cover. Approximately 50pgs. Minor age related wear; in otherwise very good overall vintage condition. 1st edition, 1st printing 1989. Unsigned from an edition of unknown. Highly collectible. Related categories: Jean-Michel Basquiat 1989. Jean-Michel Basquiat book...
Category

1980s Vintage Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities

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Victorian Taxidermy Bird of Paradise Attributed to Rowland Ward, 1848-1916
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A taxidermy case with Raggiana’s bird of paradise (Paradiseae raggiana) with trade label to the underside reading ‘The Jungle, Rowland Ward’ London, circa 1900-1910 With a collector’s label, centre bottom reading: No. 153, Bird of Paradise (Paradise Raggiana). The Peter Farrington...
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19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities

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Rare Antique Print of Various Medals of Sweden & Norway ‘III’ , 1843
Located in Langweer, NL
Plate 46: 'Zweden en Noorwegen'. Seraphijnen Orde. This print originates from ‘Geschiedkundige beschrijving der oudere en nieuwere, thans bestaande Ridderorden. - Afbeeldingen der Ri...
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Mid-19th Century Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities

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1920s Whiting Sculptoscope Coin Op Stereo Card Viewer
Located in Peekskill, NY
Original whiting sculpt scope coin-operated stereo card viewer from the 1920s. Deposit a penny, pull trigger and look through the viewer to flip through st...
Category

Early 20th Century Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Steel

Portrait Miniature Jean-Baptiste Couvelet, French, 1772-1830
Located in Firenze, IT
SHIPPING POLICY: No additional costs will be added to this order. Shipping costs will be totally covered by the seller (customs duties included). A girl, head and shoulders, her da...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities

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Oak

Large Collection of Tall Decorative Scandinavian Antique Leather-Bound Books
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A collection of 15 sets of 10 large tall-size decorative Swedish leather-bound books from the 1950s.
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather, Paper

Jean Prouve/Serge Mouille Book
Located in New York, NY
DeLorenzo 1950, Jean Prouve/Serge Mouille, 1985 exhibition catalog.
Category

19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities

Jean Prouve/Serge Mouille Book
Jean Prouve/Serge Mouille Book
H 11.5 in W 9.75 in D 1 in
Double Bronze/Brass Apothecary Scale
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a gilt bronze/brass double apothecary scale. It depicts an upside down bronze Corinthian column that holds two different set of balance brass ...
Category

20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Brass

Double Bronze/Brass Apothecary Scale
Double Bronze/Brass Apothecary Scale
H 19 in W 17.75 in D 5.5 in
Vintage Leather Punching Bag, Heavy
Located in San Francisco, CA
Time to upgrade your personal gym to include a stylish punching bag? This piece is made of vintage leather and has seen some action though is in great sha...
Category

20th Century American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather

Rare Solid Bronze Armorial Crest Coat of Arms Lovely Verdigris Patination
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely antique solid bronze coat of arms armorial crest with lovely natural verdigris patina This is a very good looking and well made coa...
Category

20th Century English Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bronze

1940s Hand-Painted Model Tobacco Sign
Located in New York, NY
A great hand-painted 1940s tin on wood advertising sign. Nicely faded, with striking graphic images, USA, circa 1940s. P104.
Category

1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Tin

Beautiful Glass Apothecary Jar - price per piece
Located in Brussels, BE
Cut-glass top and blown glass jar beautiful quality. Multiple available
Category

20th Century European Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Blown Glass, Cut Glass

Previously Available Items
American Marble Bust of George Washington, After Houdon, C. 1890
Located in New York, NY
An American Marble Bust of George Washington, After Houdon, C. 1890. Made from hand-carved white marble, a nice quality sculpture of George Washington. Signed Houdon to the bac...
Category

19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Marble

Rare American Marble Portrait Presentation Bust of George Washington, C. 1835
Located in New York, NY
A rare American marble portrait presentation bust of George Washington, C. 1835. A finely carved half length, high-relief marble presentation bust presented by Major Henry Wilso...
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Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities

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Marble

Antique Cast Iron Bulldog Piggy Money Bank Painted in Brown, 1920s
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
An antique cast iron bulldog piggy bank. Created in the 1920s, this piece is painted in brown and cream. And would make a fabulous addition to a nurs...
Category

1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron

Miniature Plaster Bust of Napoleon as Caesar after Canova
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A miniature plaster bust depicting Napoleon as Caesar. After Canova's famous 1804 model. Simply a wonderful bust for the curio cabinet or Wunderkammer! Date: 20th Century ...
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20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities

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Plaster

Theodore Roosevelt Letter from October 1910
Located in Dallas, TX
PRESENTING A Theodore Roosevelt Letter from October 1910. On ‘The Outlook’ letterhead. Typed and personally signed and amended by President Theodore Roosevelt. Dated October 1st...
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Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities

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Paper

19th Spanish Sculpture, Baby Jesus, Cap i Pota, Wood and Glass
Located in Valladolid, ES
Stunning Spanish carving sculpture, made in the early nineteenth century representing a sweet baby Jesus. It is a vestidera image, known as Cap i Pota. This...
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Early 19th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities

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Glass

Biography of Andrew Jackson by Goodwin, 1852
Located in Dallas, TX
Presenting a very rare book, namely, The Biography of Andrew Jackson by Goodwin 1852. Headed “Biography of Andrew Jackson, President of the United St...
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Paper

Small 18th-19th Century French Carved Alabaster Madonna with Child
Located in Buisson, FR
Beautiful small carved alabaster Madonna with child, France, circa 1780-1850. Weathered and some minor losses.
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19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Alabaster

French 19th Century Marble and Brass Culinary Scale
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
An amazing 19th century French culinary scale, made of marble, with original brass plateaux. The plateaux are handsomely patinated and bear numer...
Category

19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Marble, Brass

1940s Metal Locker Room Basket with Number Plate 62
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Large vintage metal locker room basket. These baskets were used in locker rooms in America in schools. Students would use these numbered baskets to store clothing and shoes while cha...
Category

20th Century American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal, Wire

Silver Card Case, with Hallmarks, Robert Thornton, Birmingham, England, 1877
Located in Madrid, ES
Silver card case, with hallmarks, Robert Thornton, Birmingham, England, 1877. Card case with opening (hinge) on one of its smaller sides, made of silver in its color and decorated w...
Category

1870s English Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver

Pair of Coade Stone Figurative Panels
Located in London, GB
A pair of Coade stone figurative panels. Stamped Coade, Lambeth, 1786.
Category

1780s English Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Stone

Pair of Coade Stone Figurative Panels
Pair of Coade Stone Figurative Panels
H 32.29 in W 12.21 in D 3.15 in

Neoclassical collectibles and curiosities for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Neoclassical collectibles and curiosities 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 collectibles and curiosities created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles, decorative objects, wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Neoclassical collectibles and curiosities made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original collectibles and curiosities, popular names associated with this style include Choisy-le-Roi, Creil et Montereau, Theodore Roosevelt, and Assouline Publishing. 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 collectibles and curiosities differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $49 and tops out at $1,200,000 while the average work can sell for $1,300.

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