Neoclassical Boxes
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.
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Boxes
Wood
Early 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Boxes
Mahogany
20th Century British Neoclassical Boxes
Ceramic
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Boxes
Hardwood, Paint
1780s British Antique Neoclassical Boxes
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Boxes
Burl
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Boxes
Crystal, Ormolu
Early 1800s English Antique Neoclassical Boxes
Sterling Silver
Early 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Boxes
Silver
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Boxes
Agate, Gold
1770s English Antique Neoclassical Boxes
Sterling Silver
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Boxes
Metal, Other
20th Century English Neoclassical Boxes
Ceramic, Stoneware
Early 20th Century European Neoclassical Boxes
Brass
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Boxes
Wood
Early 1900s Russian Antique Neoclassical Boxes
Gold, Enamel
Early 1800s English Antique Neoclassical Boxes
Brass
1970s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Boxes
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Boxes
Crystal, Brass
20th Century Belgian Neoclassical Boxes
Glass
Early 1900s Swiss Antique Neoclassical Boxes
Crystal, Silver, Enamel
1820s Antique Neoclassical Boxes
Other
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Boxes
Brass
Late 19th Century Danish Antique Neoclassical Boxes
Iron
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Boxes
Leather, Pine, Linen
20th Century English Neoclassical Boxes
Porcelain
Early 20th Century German Neoclassical Boxes
Silver, Sterling Silver
Late 18th Century European Antique Neoclassical Boxes
Sycamore
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Boxes
Maple, Rosewood
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Boxes
Metal, Silver
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Boxes
Porcelain
Mid-18th Century British Antique Neoclassical Boxes
Lead
Late 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Boxes
Straw
2010s American Neoclassical Boxes
Paint, Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Neoclassical Boxes
Metal
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Boxes
Metal, Ormolu
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Boxes
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Neoclassical Boxes
Metal
Late 20th Century French Neoclassical Boxes
Porcelain
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Boxes
Leather
20th Century Belgian Neoclassical Boxes
Glass
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Boxes
Silk, Wood
20th Century American Neoclassical Boxes
Shell
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Boxes
Metal
1890s Russian Antique Neoclassical Boxes
Silver, Sterling Silver
1890s French Antique Neoclassical Boxes
Multi-gemstone, Silver, Sterling Silver, Enamel
1830s French Antique Neoclassical Boxes
Gold
Early 19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Boxes
Serpentine
Late 20th Century English Neoclassical Boxes
Stoneware
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Boxes
Bronze
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Boxes
Poplar
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Boxes
Silk, Wood
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Boxes
Bronze
Late 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Boxes
Mother-of-Pearl, Rosewood
1790s French Antique Neoclassical Boxes
Gold
Mid-19th Century Austrian Antique Neoclassical Boxes
Ash
20th Century French Neoclassical Boxes
Crystal, Bronze, Ormolu
20th Century French Neoclassical Boxes
Porcelain