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Neoclassical Toys

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
Late 19th Century Cast Iron 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 Toys

Materials

Iron

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 Toys

Materials

Wood

Antique Articulating Teddy Bear Driving Wagon Platform Pull Toy Americana
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique wheeled platform articulating pull toy featuring a teddy bear stuffed animal seated in a red white and blue wagon with arms that move up and down a...
Category

Early 20th Century Neoclassical Toys

Materials

Mohair, Hardwood

Antique Early American Miniature Salesman Sample Dresser Chest of Drawers 12"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique miniature doll sized / salesman sample chest of drawers with brass knobs and a scalloped backsplash.
Category

Early 20th Century Neoclassical Toys

Materials

Hardwood

Related Items
19th Century Romanian Polychrome Wooden Rocking Horse
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Charming 19th century Romanian hand carved wooden rocking horse. Featuring a colorful polychrome finish on a base decorated with a floral m...
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19th Century Romanian Antique Neoclassical Toys

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Wood, Lacquer

Swedish Folk Wooden Dala Pig Toy, circa 1960
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Handpainted Swedish wooden traditional Dala pig toy. Designed by Nils Olsson in Sweden, circa 1960. Materials: Wood In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age...
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1960s Swedish Vintage Neoclassical Toys

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Swedish Folk Wooden Dala Pig Toy, circa 1960
Swedish Folk Wooden Dala Pig Toy, circa 1960
No Reserve
H 3.55 in W 5.52 in D 1.97 in
San Francisco Trolley Toy Friction Car. Japan, circa 1950s
Located in Incline Village, NV
San Francisco trolley toy Friction cable car; made of all tin; important to note because this was the first of it's kind having been made in the 1950s. They were all tin (no plastic); 7 1/4" long (not shorter); green (not red or multi-clored); "Bay and Taylor St" placard; #504" and most importantly the figures are actual FIGURES made of formed pressed steel and then hand painted and lithographed. Cheaper later models were simply lithographed into the flat sheet steel. Also, my example works (see video). It is a friction toy...
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Mid-20th Century Japanese Neoclassical Toys

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Tin

19th Century Original Painted Iron Clown Bank
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fun and folky original painted iron penny bank has the original painted surface in working condition. Put a penny in his hand and pull the lever for him to swallow the coin. The...
Category

1890s American Antique Neoclassical Toys

Materials

Iron

27 Pc Antique Ebony Wood Brass Pinned Bovine Bone Dominoes Game Tiles
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique 19th century set of domino tiles crafted of ebony wood backs and inlaid cow / bovine bone faces connected with brass pins.
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19th Century Antique Neoclassical Toys

Materials

Bone, Ebony

Early 20th Century Keystone Pressed Steel Toy Steam Shovel
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous and a survivor of almost 100 years old. A very decorative piece to lighten a room and inject some fun. Very chic. In excellent antique condition with lots of patina. Door fo...
Category

1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Toys

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Steel

Vintage Child's Toy Tin Large Spinning Top by Chein Company, American, Ca. 1950
Located in Incline Village, NV
Highly colorful and completely operational hard to find LARGE tin child's toy spinning top made by the J. Chein Company, Harrison, New Jersey, Circa 1950. It works great and is in co...
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1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Toys

Materials

Tin

Antique Oak Wood Child Baby Doll Size High Chair W Swing Tray
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique wooden doll sized high chair with foot rest and swing arm tray. Measure: 26"
Category

Early 20th Century Neoclassical Toys

Materials

Oak

Collection of 3 Italian 19th Century Marionettes
Located in London, GB
Collection of 3 Italian 19th century Marionettes A fantastic set of 3 19th century hand crafted marionette puppets. All with original cotton, silk and valour clothing intact, han...
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19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Toys

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Pine

19th Century Italian Painted Wood Rocking Horse
Located in Atlanta, GA
19th century Italian painted wood rocking horse.
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Toys

Materials

Wood, Paint

19th Century Spanish Bowling Balls
Located in Atlanta, GA
A terrific pair of mid-19th century carved wood bowling balls. A great accessory for any tabletop or bookcase.
Category

Mid-19th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical Toys

Materials

Wood

Collection 1900s Edwardian Miniature Tin Toys Farm Animals People and Park Trees
Located in Haarlem, NL
Large collection of tin 1900s Edwardian miniature toy figures. A few tin houses a shed, gazebo's, flower arches, lots of trees and shrubs. Dovecote, pretty fences, a bench, a parrot tree, a birdcage, a plant Stand, a fountain, farm animals and lots of human figures in Edwardian clothing about: 29 trees (trees shrubs, palmtrees) 11 decorative fences 2 arches 18 figures (girl with dog, a couple, lady with...
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Early 20th Century British Neoclassical Toys

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Metal, Tin

Previously Available Items
Antique Early American Miniature Salesman Sample Dresser Chest of Drawers 12"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique miniature doll sized / salesman sample chest of drawers with brass knobs and a scalloped backsplash.
Category

Early 20th Century Neoclassical Toys

Materials

Hardwood

Vintage Gottlieb Pioneer Pinball Machine
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
D. Gottlieb & Co. Painted. Paperwork. Extra light bulbs. 69 1/4" h x 28 3/4" w x 53" d. Condition Paint loss. Scratches. Has not been tested to see if it functions.
Category

1960s North American Vintage Neoclassical Toys

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Metal

Vintage Gottlieb Pioneer Pinball Machine
Vintage Gottlieb Pioneer Pinball Machine
H 69.25 in W 28.75 in D 53 in
9 Lead & Pewter Military Figurines Toy Soldier Officer Stadden Greenwood Ball 3"
Located in Dayton, OH
"Lot of nine vintage and antique pewter / lead toy soldiers representing a variety of eras from the Revolutionary War to post-World War II; five are by C.C. Stadden (British red coat with a peaked cap hand over sword and leaning on a musket, labeled “British Grenadier 1777 Revolutionary”/ British red coat with peaked cap holding a musket, labeled “Delaney’s Loyal (Tokies) Regiment Revolution”/ Revolutionary War era British red coat with a musket on his shoulder and a tricorn hat / post WWII soldier holding a map, labeled “USA Modern”/ Civil War era Union Cavalry officer with a sword holding a map), one by Greenwood and Ball (World War I era German soldier with a sword on his hip reading a map), and three uncertain (Civil War era Union soldier in a slouch hat and holding a rifle, labeled “US Reg. Infantry Full Dress 1861”/ American soldier at attention in a blue uniform, labeled “USA 1948”/ Napoleonic French(?) Imperial Guard grenadier). “Greenwood & Ball was started in 1938 by John Greenwood (sculptor) and Katherine Ball (painter). Katherine Ball left the company in 1961 to get married. The company was one of the first to start selling 25mm scale figures. John Greenwood sold the company to W.F. Pearce in 1971 and the company name carried on as a brand. The majority of the 25mm figure ranges were most recently owned by Amazon Miniatures. Other sculptors to work for them included: Al Charles, John Braithwaite, Cliff Sanderson, and John Tassell.” “Charles C Stadden (always known to friends and family as Chas) was born in Leytonstone, London on 12th June 1919. His parents were Francis Stadden and Emily James who had been married on 10th February 1912 in West Ham Registry Office. Francis Stadden had served in the Middlesex Regiment and the Devonshire Regiment during WW1 attaining the rank of Company Sergeant Major. In peacetime he was employed as a stationers manager for Strakers of London. Chas had three older brothers, Frank, Arthur (always known as Gyp) and Victor (Vic) and a younger sister, Pearl. Having such a background of military service must have made an impression on the four young Stadden boys. Two of Emilys sisters were married to servicemen, and while Chas was a young boy his mother had taken him on visits by train to Chichester where his Aunt Louise lived while her husband Augustus (in the RAMC) was stationed at the barracks there. His childhood was a happy one living in Epsom Road, Leytonstone, close to Epping Forest, and then during the 1930’s at Gordon Road, Wanstead. He was educated at Canterbury Road School in Leyton and had an interest in things military from an early age. Christmas presents were usually toy soldiers, and his father used to bring Chas postcards depicting military uniforms when he came home from work. Another lifetime interest was steam trains, which began when Chas and Vic used to play at Snaresbrook level crossing pulling on the railings pretending to be signalmen. Chas left school at 14 (despite gaining an art scholarship) to work as a Liftboy at Martins Bank, 68 Lombard Street, London. He was dismissed within two years for causing £400 worth of damage to one of the lifts while 'larking about' with one of the heavy ledger trolleys. To avoid telling his parents of being given the sack he decided to join the military at Stratford while still underage. Chas thought he was destined to be a trumpeter in the Royal Artillery and lasted 40 days until his mother Emily managed to retrieve him. His second spell of civilian employment as a switchboard operator also ended in dismissal due to ‘larking about’. At this time Chas was a keen racing cyclist and obtained a summer job building racing bikes which was his introduction to light engineering. Although he enjoyed this work, at the end of the season he was laid off and had to take work as a parking attendant and nightwatchman. In the summer of 1939 he returned to the cycle trade until called up to military service under the Militia Act at the age of 20, enlisting on 1st December. He passed the medical A1 fitness but was found to be slightly shortsighted. This meant that he was unable to join the infantry (preferably the Lancashire Fusiliers) as he wanted but was instead sent to restart his military career at the 7th Drivers Training Centre RASC, Luton. During his full time military service Chas was with the Royal Army Service Corps (Horse Transport), The Cyprus Regiment and the Royal Fusiliers...
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Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Toys

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Pewter

Vintage Marx Tin Litho Motorcycle Cop Windup Toy C1948
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous working tin Litho Windup motorcycle cop toy with siren. Great color retention with a strong motor. Some edge wear from being played with, see pics. In excellent vintage cond...
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1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Toys

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Tin

Vintage Americana Folk Art Jointed Wood Puppet Toy Clog Jig Dancer Minstrel
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Americana, folk art style hand carved wooden jig or limberjack toy doll, dancing Minstrel puppet, with spring mounted bobble head and red, wh...
Category

Early 20th Century Neoclassical Toys

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Hardwood, Paint

Antique Wooden Spinning Top Collection Custom Display
Located in Stamford, CT
A collection of 104 antique wooden toy spinning tops in a custom made white painted maple shelved display. Tops can be moved to any configuration y...
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1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Toys

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Wood

Vintage Tennis or Squash Rackets in Red White and Blue Set of 3
By Spalding
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Vintage set of three tennis rackets in red white and blue. This would make a great focal point hung on a wall or perhaps for using them for their intended purpose! Measures: 25.75...
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Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Toys

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String, Wood, Paint

Antique 1920s Pressed Steel Buddy L Dump Truck
By Buddy L. 1
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Piece of American History on 4 wheels. Buddy L trucks was the premiere pressed steel toy truck maker back in the day. This open air driver is structurall...
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1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Toys

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Steel

Collection of 100 Antique Spinning Tops in a Custom Shadow Box Frame
By Mark Indursky
Located in Stamford, CT
Collection of 100 antique spinning tops in a custom shadow box frame. This collection having taken years to put together has been carefully assembled ...
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Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Toys

"Under Construction, " Architects, Designers Model of Timber Framed House
Located in Oakville, CT
Model of timber framed house "Under Construction" architects designers model.
Category

20th Century American Neoclassical Toys

Materials

Wood

Original Painted Keystone, Boston Tin Toy Steam Roller Truck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This model tin and iron signed Keystone steam roller from Boston, Mass. was found in the state of Maine. It has a wonderful worn painted original as found patina. This toy is in orde...
Category

Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Toys

Materials

Iron, Tin

Large Turn of the Century Mechanical Carousel folk art
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rare and very nice Carousele, working perfectly, these are hard to find, the patina is much nicer in person, it is a museum piece
Category

Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Toys

Materials

Metal

Neoclassical toys for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Neoclassical toys for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Mid-20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage toys created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include folk art, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, hardwood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Neoclassical toys made in a specific country, there are North America, and United States pieces 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. Prices for toys differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $350 and tops out at $1,295 while the average work can sell for $585.

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