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Neoclassical Obelisks

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
Pair of Monumental Italian Specimen Marble Obelisks, Circa 1950s, H-69.75 inches
Located in Dallas, TX
A monumental pair of decorative elements, these stunning Italian marble obelisks measure 69 ¾ tall. Dating to roughly the 1950s, the pillar features an amazing 75...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Obelisks

Materials

Marble

Pair Of Vintage Italian Marble Obelisks
Located in Houston, TX
Pair Of Vintage Italian Marble Obelisks. Stunning pair of Italian Neoclassical style obelisks made of an interesting combination of brown and...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Obelisks

Materials

Marble

Neoclassical Style Verde Antigua Marble and Brass Obelisk, Circa 1980
Located in Rochester, NY
Neoclassical style verde antigua marble and brass obelisk. Circa 1980. Measures 16" h x 4 1/2" w x 4 1/2" d. Look at all pictures and read condition report in comment section
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Obelisks

Materials

Marble, Brass

20th-C. Neo-Classical style Inlaid Mahogany And Bronze Obelisks - S/2
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a set of neo-classical style banded mahogany obelisks with patinated bronze paw form feet. They are unmarked. The smaller is 7.75” square and 23.5” in height.
Category

1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Obelisks

Materials

Bronze

Large Neoclassical Style Faux Verde Antigua Marbleized Wood Obelisk, 1960's
Located in Rochester, NY
Large Neoclassical style wood obelisk in original verde antigua faux marbleized painted finish. Initially used as a store display. Circa 1960's. Measures 38 1/2" h x 6 1/2" w x 6 1/2...
Category

Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Obelisks

Materials

Wood

A pair of Italian Verde Indio green marble obelisks
Located in London, GB
A pair of Italian Verde Indio green marble obelisks. Obelisks are thought to represent Immortality and eternity and were made popular by the Grand Tours of the 17th/ 18th Century whe...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Obelisks

Materials

Marble

18th Century English Staffordshire Pearlware Neoclassical Faux Marble Obelisks
Located in Downingtown, PA
English Staffordshire Pearlware Neoclassical Faux Marble Obelisks on Pedestal Bases, Wood Family, Circa 1790-1800 The pair of Neoclassical pearlware pottery obelisks are of outstand...
Category

Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Obelisks

Materials

Pearlware, Pottery

A Set of Four Large Porphyry Obelisks With Roundels of the Roman Emperors
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
An Important Set of Four Large Porphyry Obelisks. Each obelisk is of square section tapering form with a spiked orb finial and embellished with carved roundels of the twelve Roman...
Category

20th Century Italian Neoclassical Obelisks

Materials

Marble, Porphyry

Continental Rock Crystal Obelisks, Pair
Located in New York, NY
A pair of Continental Rock Crystal obelisks, from France, late 19th Century. The obelisks proper are 12 inches high, each mounted on a 4-inch crystal cube of a later date, for a ...
Category

1890s French Antique Neoclassical Obelisks

Materials

Rock Crystal

Maitland Smith Tessellated Horn Obelisk
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Tessellated horn obelisk by Maitland Smith made in Philippines in 1980s.
Category

1980s Philippine Vintage Neoclassical Obelisks

Materials

Horn

Vintage Neoclassical Marble Veneer Obelisk
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Huge Vintage neoclassical marble veneer Obelisk Additional information: Materials: marble, mosaic, veneer Color: Sienna Period: 2000 - 2009 Place of Origin: Italy Styles: Neo...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Obelisks

Materials

Marble

Pair of Large Carved Wood Faux Malachite Obelisks
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of large carved wood faux Malachite Obelisks. Offered is a stunning pair of Hollywood Regency style carved wood obelisks. This pair of large scale hand decorated neoclassical f...
Category

1970s Unknown Vintage Neoclassical Obelisks

Materials

Wood

Pair of Decorative Grand Tour Neoclassical-Style Obelisks
Located in Dublin 8, IE
Pair of decorative Grand Tour Neoclassical-style obelisks dating from the late 19th/early 20th century. The tapering bodies are raised on square-stepped black marble bases...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Obelisks

Materials

Marble

Antique Pair Monumental Ormolu Mounted Malachite Obelisks, 1920s
Located in London, GB
A monumental pair of Neoclassical ormolu mounted malachite obelisks, Circa 1920 in date. The square conforming malachite columns taper to pyramid shapes with applied decorative g...
Category

1920s Vintage Neoclassical Obelisks

Materials

Malachite, Ormolu

Pair of Faux Malachite and Brass Obelisks
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of Faux malachite and brass obelisks. Fantastic pair of vintage faux malachite and brass obelisks. This beautiful pair of midcentury obelisks are a pair but in the spirit of na...
Category

1980s Unknown Vintage Neoclassical Obelisks

Materials

Brass

Antique English Blue John or Derbyshire Spar Egg Shaped Paperweight
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique paperweight. Comprised of Blue John (also known as Derbyshire Spar), a rare form of fluorite from England with distinct purple & yell...
Category

Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Obelisks

Materials

Precious Stone

Pair of Hollywood Regency Neoclassical Style Brass Obelisks
Located in Houston, TX
Great pair of Hollywood Regency brass obelisks. These beautiful midcentury neoclassical style brass obelisks have a naturally occurring patina that could be polished if desired. Perf...
Category

1970s Vintage Neoclassical Obelisks

Materials

Brass

Pair of Early 20th Century Neoclassical Columns
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of early 20th century Italian neoclassical-style alabaster columns, reminiscent of Grand Tour souvenirs, with carved acanthus leaf details, and each resting on square bases with...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Obelisks

Materials

Alabaster

Large Pair of Italian Aptware/Mixed Earth Obelisks
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Large pair of Italian aptware/mixed earth obelisks, Each one standing 32-inches high with a diameter of 9-inches.
Category

20th Century Italian Neoclassical Obelisks

Materials

Pottery

Collection of Five Las Palmas Wood Finials, Priced Individually
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Collection of five wood finials turned and cut with classic form having contrived distressed paint and gold leaf by Las Palmas. Priced individually. Taller finials...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Obelisks

Materials

Hardwood

Pair of Grand Tour Style Bronze Mounted Hardstone Obelisks
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Italian Neo-classic Grand Tour-style (19/20th Century) bronze mounted hardstone obelisks with porphyry bases (PRICED AS PAIR).
Category

20th Century Neoclassical Obelisks

Materials

Bronze

Wiener Werkstätte, Neoclassical Half Column, circa 1900, Austria
Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur
Wiener Werkstätte, neoclassical half column, Natural and rechampi pine, The barrel decorated with moldings, circa 1900, Austria. Measures: Height ...
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Neoclassical Obelisks

Materials

Wood

Pair of Maitland Smith Style Obelisks with Travertine and Marble Veneer
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of handsome and high quality stone veneered obelisks. Done in a pale travertine outlined with gray marble borders, the upper part raised on four marble balls above a rectangular...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Obelisks

Materials

Travertine

Pair of Rock Crystal Obelisks
Located in Cypress, CA
Pair of neoclassical hand carved and hand polished ormolu-mounted good quality rock crystal obelisks.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Obelisks

Materials

Rock Crystal, Ormolu

Painted and Stained Large Wooden Obelisk Signed by Designer Barbara Cosgrove
Located in Wichita, KS
This large wooden obelisk is designed by Barbara Cogrove. It was used as a template in creating her accessory and lamp line. After two decades, Barbara ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Obelisks

Materials

Wood

Pair of 19th Century Italian Neoclassical Style Marble Obelisks
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of 19th century Italian Neoclassical style marble obelisks. Classic pair of Antique Italian marble obelisks with a crest. These Italian Neoclassical style marble obelisks would...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Obelisks

Materials

Marble

Massive Pair of Brescia and Cipollino Marble Obelisks
Located in London, by appointment only
Large-scale Grand Tour pair of Cipollino of Versilia and Breche d’Alep marble obelisks. Raised on stepped bases of Carrara and marble bases. A fabulous pair of Cipollino of Versil...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Obelisks

Materials

Breccia Marble

Impressive Pair of Ormolu Mounted Marble Obelisks
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of large marble obelisks. Made from solid Verde Antico marble with bronze neoclassical style decorative mounts on all four sides.
Category

Mid-19th Century Antique Neoclassical Obelisks

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Grand Tour Style Bronze Mounted Hard Stone Obelisks
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Italian neoclassic Grand Tour style (19th-20th Century) bronze mounted hard stone obelisks with porphyry bases.
Category

Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Neoclassical Obelisks

Materials

Stone

Pair of Large Antique 19th-20th Century Solid Marble Obelisks on Pedestals
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of Palatial antique 19th-20th century solid marble obelisks on pedestals. The obelisks detach from the pedestal bases.
Category

1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Obelisks

Rock Crystal Obelisks, Pair, French
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Fine large pair of neoclassical rock crystal obelisks with square base. Very harmonious proportions, exquisite clarity, Fren...
Category

Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Obelisks

Materials

Rock Crystal

Fine Pair of Cut Rock Crystal Obelisks
Located in New York, NY
A fine and unusual pair of Art Deco hexagon form cut rock crystal obelisks, beautifully hand-cut and hand-polished, Paris.
Category

20th Century French Neoclassical Obelisks

Materials

Rock Crystal

A Fine pair of Antique Russian sienna marble and jasper Helmet Military obelisks
Located in New York, NY
A very unusual and quite large pair of Antique Russian Dore Bronze, Sienna marble and Jasper, Neoclassical style, Military Helmet (Trophy) form standin...
Category

Mid-19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Obelisks

Italian Neoclassical Gilt Bronze-Mounted Verde Antico and White Marble Obelisk
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A 19th century large Italian neoclassical gilt bronze-mounted verde antico and white marble obelisk. Resting on a square base lined with white marble and framed by two gilt bronze eg...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Obelisks

Materials

Marble, Bronze

1990s Modern Mixed Stone Obelisk
Located in San Francisco, CA
Step into a world where sleek lines meet natural splendor with this 1990s Modern Mixed Stone Geometric Obelisk. Imagine its vibrant onyx, travertine, and marble layers catching the l...
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Obelisks

Materials

Onyx, Marble

Neoclassical obelisks for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Neoclassical obelisks 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 obelisks created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles, decorative objects, building and garden elements and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with stone, marble and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Neoclassical obelisks made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and France pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original obelisks, popular names associated with this style include and Barbara Cosgrove. 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 obelisks differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $175 and tops out at $152,896 while the average work can sell for $4,050.

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