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
Fabrics The Decorative Art of Textiles Coffee Table Hardcover Book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Fabrics The Decorative Art of Textiles
Spectacularly illustrated with richly colorful, sumptuously textured photographs, Fabrics is an enthusiastic trip through the history, technol...
Category
1990s Italian Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
First Lady My Thirty Days Upstairs in the White House Hardcover 1964
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage collectible book, First Lady: My Thirty Days Upstairs in the White House Hardcover – January 1, 1964.
Title: First Lady : My Thirty Days Upstairs in the White house.
by Mart...
Category
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Early Panorama Children’s Book Hiawatha Illustrated by Willy Pogany London 1914
By Willy Pogany
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
$400 Sale Price
20% Off
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
$600 Sale Price
20% Off
The Life Record of HW Graber Texas Ranger Dedicated First Edition
Located in Dallas, TX
Presenting a very rare first edition hardback copy of The Life Record of H.W. Grabber, A Terry Texas Ranger 1861-1865 Sixty-Two Years in Texas. Copyright ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Rare Set of Four Framed Antique Boxing and Sports Collectible Cards
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Four groups of colored paper collectible sports cards mounted on blue paper pierced in the margin for placing in a notebook. Now mounted on off white card and custom framed.
The cards include images of boxers Al Kaufman, Mike Sullivan, Gans and Nelson and many others. Along with images of track and field and swim athletes. Some faded black printed faded paper ones with portraits of boxers e.g Jack...
Category
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
H.M. Tomlinson "The Sea and The Jungle" 1st Edition Woodcuts by Clare Leighton
By Tomlinson
Located in San Francisco, CA
H.M. Tomlinson "The Sea and The Jungle" First Edition with woodcuts by Clare Leighton, circa 1930
Rare First Edition. Very good condition. Fantastic woodcuts by noted artist Clare...
Category
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Other
The Shuberts Present 100 Years of American Theater Book by Maryann Chach
Located in North Hollywood, CA
The Shuberts Present: 100 Years of American Theater Book by Maryann Chach.
Looks at theater palaces owned by the Shubert Organization in New York City and shows how their history fits into the history of American theater during the twentieth century.Entrepreneurs and impresarios, the Shubert Brothers (Sam, Lee, and J.J.) produced some 600 plays, revues, and musicals from A Chorus Line to Cats and championed stars from Sarah Bernhardt and Ethel Barrymore to Al Jolson, Carmen Miranda, Judi Dench...
Category
Early 2000s Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
The Red Houses - Margareta Kjellin 1st Edition 2005
Located in CA, CA
Red painted wooden houses have long occupied a special standing in
The Red Houses - Margareta Kjellin 1st Edition 2005
Swedish architectural tradition and have done much to shape t...
Category
Early 2000s Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
John Stobart (English, B. 1929), Independence, Ltd. Ed. Signed
By John Stobart
Located in Bridgeport, CT
"John Stobart (British b. 1929) paintings and limited edition prints are collected around the world and seen by visitors of the Peabody Museum in Massachusetts and the Portland Museum in Maine. He is well known maritime artist known for images of ports and vessels as they were in the great era of sail and stream".
INDEPENDENCE, Wayne City Landing, Start of the Santa Fe Trail...
Category
20th Century Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Glass, Wood, Paper
Broadway Musical Martin Gottfried Large Hardcover Book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Broadway Musical Martin Gottfried 1984 hardcover book.Large heavy book.
A colorful tribute to the great Broadway shows of our time.
Profusely illustrated in color. New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc.
Title Broadway Musicals Author Gottfried, Martin
Format/Binding Hardcover
Binding Hardcover
Publisher Harry N. Abrams
Place Of Publication NY
Date Published 1984
395 illustrations, 112 in full color.
Great oversized heavy coffee table art book.
A true treasure of a book. This is a very large book, and not just width wise. It is very tall too. There are many pictures, a lot of them in color. They have some of the rarest flops featured toward the back of the book, and the classics are all here too. Some high points are the run-through of how they make (made) "Annie" run every night. There is also a synopsis of "Hello Dolly" which helpful since I have only seen the movie. There is a flaw though, and it is not insignificant. The author does not separate fact from opinion. Example: "Sweeney Todd does not hold a place in the theater". This book came out the same year "Sweeney Todd" did(1979), so it might be just a bit early to say that. Obviously, he is a critic, but he should have took that hat off ,and taken on the role of an author who looks at the facts.("Sweeney" is just one of the hows that gets criticized.)
Colorful entertaining masterpiece with many of these Broadway Musicals some of them are THE WIZ...
Category
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Antique 1945 Smith Corona Sterling Typewriter
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique 1945 Smith Corona Sterling Typewriter
Use this typewriter as decor in your restaurant or coffee shop. It will bring a vintage aesthetic ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
The Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia of American Motorcycles by Tod Rafferty
Located in North Hollywood, CA
The Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia of American Motorcycles by Tod Rafferty.
This lavishly illustrated history winds its way through the 20th century by exploring such popular Amer...
Category
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Italian Venetian Gilt Wood Barometer
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Venetian-style (20th Century) gilt carved and black painted barometer,with wreath top and cornucopia sides with scroll motifs.
Category
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Giltwood
The Well-lived Life: One Hundred Years of House & Garden
Located in North Hollywood, CA
The Well-lived Life: One Hundred Years of House & Garden by Dominique Browning.
Assouline Publishing, Inc. 2008.
Large hardcover coffee table book.
Size: 12 1/8" x 9 1/2" x 1" 1/4.
House & Home - 238 pages.
Few magazines can lay claim to a century of history or to having published work by some extraordinary and distinguished photographers and writers as House & Garden. Now, straight from the pages of this well-loved periodical, The Well-Lived Life presents a lavish chronicle of a country and a culture coming into its own, documenting America's continuing education in matters of house, home and garden over the course of the 20th century. Selecting high points from the magazine, this book surveys the growing confidence and imagination reflected in American interiors and entertaining over the last century -the dinners, picnics and parties of a country dedicated to welcoming others- and the changing definition of home. It also illuminates the joys -sedentary or sporting- Americans have always found in the out-of-doors. The Well-Lived Life surveys the landscape of our lawns and gardens...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Vintage Miniature Toys Fruit Market Stand Artisan Made
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Vintage miniature toys artisan made Fruit vegetables market stand. Lavishly decorated. Collectible
Category
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Ceramic
Antique Toys Doll with Pram and Baby Doll Furniture
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Antique toys- doll with Pram and baby, antique doll furniture- vanity stand mirror, 7@. Handmade textile doll with German rubber baby doll in Pr...
Category
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
ELVIS The King Le King en devenir French edition Hardcover 1st Edition 2006
Located in North Hollywood, CA
ELvis: A King in the Making Hardcover – 1st Edition 2006 by Alfred Wertheimer (Author), Peter Guralnick (Author).From the Estate of the famous fashion designer Christian Audigier Bev...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Italian Bronze Mortar and Pestle, Signed, Christopher Eberhardt, Circa 1830
Located in Charleston, SC
Italian bronze mortar and pestle. Christopher Eberhardt, Anno J667 Grabavw, Early 19th Century. Measures: 7.25" diameter at top, 5.75" diamete...
Category
1830s Italian Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze
Silver Mesh Bag, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Silver mesh bag in its color decorated with triangular elements on the bottom that has a smooth closure by hinges and a chain of alternating long and short li...
Category
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver
Texas a Salute from Above Fehrenbach, T. R 1985
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Texas a Salute from Above Fehrenbach, T. R 1985.
Title: Texas: A salute from above
Publisher: Brand: Texas Books, World Pub. Services, Inc.
Publication Date: 1st Edition 1985
Language ? : ? English
Hardcover ? : ? 280 pages
Binding: Hardcover large coffee table book.
A birds-eye view of the vast state of Texas: Mountains, cities, stadiums, plains, etc. in full color with text by T.R. Fehrenbach.
Look with new eyes upon Texas. Its sweeping diversity is seen from another perspective--the view from above.
Texas Books, 1985. First Ed.. Hardcover. History; Texas; The Trans-Pecos Region, The Panhandle, West, North, Central and East Texas...
Category
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Classic Superbikes from Around the World Coffee Table Book Hardcover 2003
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Classic Superbikes from Around the World Coffee Table Book Hardcover 2003.
by Mac. McDiarmid.
The cool thing about Mac McDiarmid’s book Classic Superbikes from Around the World.
The book not only gives us a look at some rare specimens most will never see, it also includes some classic superbikes that we have probably seen here or there or may even have in the garage. For example, McDiarmid included the still-popular Yamaha RD350, Suzuki GT750, Bridgestone 350 GTR, Kawasaki Z1, Kawasaki 750 H2, Yamaha XS-1, Harley-Davidson Duo-Glide and Honda CB750 and Honda CB450 “Black Bomber.” Less common classics such as the Indian Chief, Velocette Venom Thruxton, Norton 650 SS, BSA 650 Spitfire, Munch Mammoth, Douglas Dragonfly, Sunbeam S7/S8, Ducati 750 SS, Ariel Square Four, and Royal Enfield...
Category
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
The World of Armand Hammer by John Bryson, Hardcover Coffee Table Book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
The World of Armand Hammer by John Bryson -
Large hardcover coffee table book.
A photographic journal follows the eighty-seven year old oil executive as he chairs a panel devoted t...
Category
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Pair of 19th Century Italian Carved Walnut Cherub Wall Sculptures
Located in Dallas, TX
These antique wall cherub figures were crafted in Italy, circa 1880. The hand carved cherubs are expressive in their movement and feature wonderful movement and facial expressions. The religious sculptures are in excellent condition commensurate with age and use, and adorn a rich walnut patina. The wall hanging figures...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Walnut
Pair of Porcelain Apothecary Jars
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This a pair of wide cylindrical white porcelain apothecary lidded jars. They are hand painted and decorated with some laurel’s branches in the front. The lids are shaped as doctoral ...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Porcelain
$880 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Bas Rilief with Profile of Ferdinando IV Borbone, 19th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Bas Rilief with profile of Ferdinando IV Borbone, dressed as a Roman Emperor.
Beginning of 19th century.
Wax sculpture within circular hickory frame.
Very fine piece belonging to ...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Hickory
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 Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
$1,079
American Realism A Pictorial Survey from the Early 18th Century to the 1970s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
American Realism, a pictorial survey from the early 18th century to the 1970s.
Mathey, François
Published by Portland House, 1987
Title: American Realism: A pictorial survey from....
Category
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Clothing Press in Oak Wood, Holland, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Clothing press in oak wood, Holland, 19th century. Garment press with closed cupboard in its lower part made of oak wood in Holland. As is normal in these utilitarian elements, it la...
Category
19th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Carved Wood Model of a Locomotive in Black Lacquered and Glass Case
Located in New York, NY
Carved Wood Model of a Locomotive showcased in a glazed and painted wood case. This intricately crafted piece captures the essence of a locomotive with stunning attention to detail. ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Glass, Wood
Italian Neoclassic Walnut Miniature Commode
Located in Essex, MA
Rectangular top with diamond inlay over three drawers with similar inlay, slight cabriole legs.
Category
1790s Italian Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Walnut
19th Century Porcelain Huqqa with Bird Paintings
Located in London, GB
This huqqa (or hookah) is a wonderful item which is crafted from porcelain and finely hand painted and parcel gilt. The huqqa was created in the late 19th century, most likely in Rus...
Category
Late 19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Porcelain
Balancing Ship / Boat Wine / Champagne Cooler
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Antique balancing Nautical / ship / boat wine/champagne cooler holder with glass inner bowl.
This superb combination is in very good condition.
Rare bottle...
Category
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
$1,180 Sale Price
26% Off
Saint Aloysius de Gonzaga (dress up). Spanish school, 18th century.
Located in Madrid, ES
San Luis Gonzaga, dressing room. Polychrome wood, etc. Spanish school, 18th century.
Carving made of polychrome wood that shows, on a rectangular base, a young man without a beard, ...
Category
18th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Other
Monumental Pair of Italian Obelisks Covered in 19th Century Sheet Music
Located in San Francisco, CA
Italian monumental pair of wood obelisks made in the 20th century. Resting on four gold painted wood spheres and square bases, all covered in 19th century sheet music.
Category
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
A Large Swedish 18th C. Tole Swag Architectural Element Mounted on Metal Stand
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish 18th century large tole architectural swag mounted on an iron stand. This antique swag came from a building in Sweden. This unique piece consists of a rich foliage motif that appears to be draping on its stand. The general color of this unique piece is a moss-green tone. With its classical elegance, this 18th century Swedish architectural...
Category
18th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Tôle, Metal
Antique Church Sculpture Decorative Cross with Angels Bénitier en terre
Located in Buxton, GB
A beautiful Bénitier en terre cross in polychromed metal is of French Origin. With beautiful carved details and vibrant colours.
The piece is Circa 19th Century and displays a rugge...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
$636 Sale Price
48% Off
Naveta. Silver in its colour. Salamanca, Spain, 1824- 1850.
Located in Madrid, ES
Naveta. Silver in its colour. Salamanca, Spain, 1824- 1850.
With contrast marks and text.
Silver vessel in its colour with a circular, stepped base decorated with ready mouldings, ...
Category
19th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver, Other
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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