Neoclassical style is making a comeback

This cabinet in the Adam style was made to display porcelains or other decorative items. The 94-by-42-by-28-inch wooden and glass piece is covered with figured satinwood veneers. It sold for $3,910 at Brunk Auctions in Asheville, N.C.

Furniture periods are named for kings and queens, cabinetmakers and styles. One of the most interesting early styles that's coming back into fashion today has many names. Neoclassical style (new Roman and Greek style) became popular in England in the second half of the 18th century. Furniture was light-colored, had thin arms and legs and almost no carving, and was often decorated with restrained, symmetrical designs reminiscent of Pompeii.

The Adam brothers, Robert and James, were architects in England during this time. They designed homes with large rooms and light walls. They realized the heavy dark Chippendale furniture popular at the time would not suit their rooms, they designed neoclassical furniture to complement their architecture. The style was eventually called "Adam." The same design idea was soon used for porcelains, silver and other decorative pieces.

Today you can buy Adam-style furniture for attractive prices, but original 18th-century pieces are expensive.

An Adam-style painted satinwood vitrine, a glass-paneled cabinet that holds a collection of glass or china, sold recently for $3,910 at Brunk Auctions in North Carolina. It's decorated with satinwood veneers and oval panels framing painted pictures of classical ladies. An expert could tell it was made in the 20th century because of construction features that don't show on the front. Most of us would just see a piece of furniture that would look great in any room. Think about buying true antiques or old reproductions when furnishing your house. Both kinds of furniture can be found in antiques shops. Either type can turn out to be a good buy.

Current prices

Current prices are recorded from antiques shows, flea markets, sales and auctions throughout the United States. Prices vary in different locations because of local economic conditions.

. Cherry pitter, cast iron, table model, patented Nov. 17, 1863, 11 inches, $85.

. Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus poster with image of clown Pat Valdo, white ground, red letters, 1942, 19-by-27 inches, $100.

. Bonnie doll, of "Bonnie & Clyde "movie, stuffed cloth, vinyl and painted face, faux fur hair, black suit, 1967, 17 inches, $145.

. Silver-plated and enamel cigarette case, two horses jumping over stream, blue sky, pops open to hold two panels of cigarettes, c. 1910, 3 1/8-by-3 1/2 inches, $285.

. On the Wing cigars inner box label, cattail wreath, marshy landscape, ducks in flight, 11-color bar, American Lithographic Co., New York, 1901, 7 1/2-by-7 inches, $310.

. Buffalo Pottery Deldare Ware calendar plate, 1912, woodland pixies, A. Wade, backstamp & date, 9 ½ inches, $445.

. 38-star American flag, cotton, used between July 4, 1877, and July 3, 1890, 28-in. stick, 13 1/2-by-9 inches, $450.

. Queen Anne lowboy, oak, three drawers above scrolled apron, spoon feet, 18th century, 30-by-33 inches, $710.

. Embroidered and appliqued velvet folk art wall hanging, stuffed-animal figures, heart center, leafy vine, pine trees, sun, birds, fish and house, dated 1887, 18-by-18 inches, $1,525.

. Quezal vase, King Tut pattern, iridescent blue ground, applied foot with gold iridescence and pink highlights, signed, 12 inches, $2,185.