Neoclassical Models and Miniatures
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
Cased Ship Model of the United States Frigate "Essex" 1799
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Finely made three masted ship model (1/8” inch =1 ‘ Scale) with carved wood details and painted with string details. Includes Masthead Sculpture, two Anchor...
Category
20th Century Neoclassical Models and Miniatures
Materials
Wood
Early 19th Century Neoclassical Automaton Windmill Sewing Box
Located in Essex, MA
Rare early 19th century working automaton sewing box with hidden compartments for necessaries and sewing implements. Original handmade cloc...
Category
Early 19th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Models and Miniatures
Materials
Alabaster
Narcissa Ward Miniature "Christmas Morning" Diorama c.1933-1942
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
A highly detailed diorama titled "Christmas Morning" featuring a French living room scene during Christmas morning. Almost every piece of molding, furniture, rugs, and accessory items that are contained in the room is designed and created by hand. Original signed tag on the back. Comes with two booklets by Mrs. James Ward Thorne (Narcissa Ward), an original photograph signed by the artist and newspaper clippings.
CREATOR Narcissa Ward aka Mrs. James Ward Thorne.
DATE OF MANUFACTURE c.1933-1942.
MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES Wood, Glass, Fabric, Metal, Paper.
CONDITION Good. Wear consistent with age and use.
DIMENSIONS H 11.25 in. W 13.75 in. D 7.75 in.
HISTORY
Mrs. James Ward Thorne of Chicago loved dollhouses and miniatures as a child. After traveling in Europe where she collected miniature furniture and accessories, Mrs. Thorne commissioned over two dozen miniature rooms created by cabinetmakers from her own drawings. The scale is: one inch to one foot. The rooms were exhibited in the 1933-1934 Chicago's Century of Progress Exposition, the 1939 San Francisco's Golden Gate International Exposition, and in the 1940 New York World's Fair.
Later, Mrs. Thorne had 29 more rooms created, copying Europe's castles, museums and historic homes. She commissioned architects to create historically accurate settings and had the textiles and carpets made by the Needlework Guild of Chicago. The rooms showing the French and English architectural and decorating styles from the 1500's to the 1920's, were exhibited in 1937 at the Art Institute of Chicago. In 1942 Mrs. Thorne gave 37 more Miniature Rooms to the Art Institute of Chicago. Those rooms offered views of American history between 1875 and 1940. The Art Institute of Chicago's Thorne Miniature...
Category
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Models and Miniatures
Materials
Wood, Glass
19th Century Mahogany Tilt-Top Tripod Table, Mini, Salesman or Example Sample
Located in Huntington, NY
An early 19th century mahogany tilt-top tripod table
Mini, salesman or example sample.
With tilt-top, tripod base.
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Models and Miniatures
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Shadowbox Diorama of Ship Models
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An impressive and unusual 19th century cased ship diorama displaying four ships at sea. A four masted schooner sets the background with a tug boat, two masted vessel and a steamship ...
Category
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Models and Miniatures
Materials
Wood
Miniature Salesman's Sample of Neoclassical Inlaid Cabinet
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Miniature salesman's sample of cabinet with two doors and four drawers. Beautifully made with inlaid banding details. Would make a sweet little Jewelry box for keepsakes.
Category
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Models and Miniatures
Materials
Mahogany
Vintage Red Model Airplane
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Red Model Airplane
This exquisitely detailed hanging model plane is a unique decor piece for your office, hotel, restaurant, or living room, p...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Models and Miniatures
Materials
Metal
French Antique Silver-Gilt and Onyx Cane
Located in London, GB
French antique silver-gilt and onyx cane
French, c. 1900
Height 88cm, diameter 2.5cm
Superbly crafted in late 19th century France, this exquisite cane exemplifies superior craftsm...
Category
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Models and Miniatures
Materials
Onyx, Vermeil
1930s Cast Iron Checkered Potted Geranium Floral Bouquet Painted Doorstop
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A vintage cast iron doorstop showing a geranium plant set inside a woven checkered flower pot on an iron plinth. Retaining the original painted finish. Beautiful patina.
Circa 1930 ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Models and Miniatures
Materials
Iron
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 Models and Miniatures
Materials
Glass, Wood
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 Models and Miniatures
Materials
Metal
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 Models and Miniatures
Materials
Alabaster
Genito-Urinary Anatomical Chart Fritz Frohse
By Fritz Frohse, Nystrom / Frohse Art
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Genito-Urinary Anatomical Chart by Fritz Frohse. Dated 1922. Paper mounted on canvas. Shows wear but still presents very well!
Category
1920s German Vintage Neoclassical Models and Miniatures
Materials
Canvas, Paper
Commode Minature Long Walnut Maltese Cross Ebonised Fruitwoo
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
An exceptionally rare, museum quality Maltese, Neoclassical walnut chest of drawers with ebonised & fruitwood inlaid maltese cross on the top and drawer fronts
Maltese furniture of this period is exceptional reflecting the status and affluence of the island.
Given the size of the island relatively little Maltese furniture was made in comparison to Europe & American mainland.
Minature furniture is rare made either as a model or an apprentice's piece so it is extremely rare to find a minature piece from Malta bearing the Maltese cross.
This minature commode is highly original with beautiful proportions, ornamentation and patination.
The 'H' shaped top with a large centered inlaid Maltese Cross and a border of stringing. The breakfront fitted with three drawers each with stringing and inlaid six point stars centrally positioned behind the wooden knobs. The uprights with two continuous vertical bands of stringing ebonised and fruitwood from the top to the bottom of the drawers in walnut to match the front of the chest and then reverting to ebonising and fruitwood down the feet. Terminating in tapering feet. The panelled sides with a repeat of the double banding on the uprights and rectangular borders within the panels. The oak lined drawers with the original 18th century blue paper lining.
Measures: length 27 cm 10 1/2", height 24 cm 9 1/2", depth 20 cm 8".
Maltese Cross:
The Maltese cross is a symbol that is most commonly associated with the Knights of Malta (also known as the Knights Hospitallers...
Category
18th Century Maltese Antique Neoclassical Models and Miniatures
Materials
Fruitwood, Walnut
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 Models and Miniatures
Materials
Walnut
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Neoclassical models and miniatures for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Neoclassical models and miniatures for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage models and miniatures 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 wood, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Neoclassical models and miniatures made in a specific country, there are North America, United States, and Europe pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original models and miniatures, popular names associated with this style include Fritz Frohse, Hubley Manufacturing Company, and Nystrom-Frohse Co.. 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 models and miniatures differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $595 and tops out at $9,800 while the average work can sell for $2,200.