Neoclassical Decorative 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 Decorative Boxes
Wood
Early 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Mahogany
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Ivory
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Hardwood, Paint
20th Century British Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Ceramic
1820s Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Other
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Burl
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Crystal, Ormolu
20th Century English Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Ceramic, Stoneware
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Wood
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Metal, Other
1970s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Bronze
20th Century Belgian Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Glass
Early 1900s Swiss Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Crystal, Silver, Enamel
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Brass
Late 19th Century Danish Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Iron
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Leather, Pine, Linen
20th Century English Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Porcelain
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Metal, Silver
Late 18th Century European Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Sycamore
20th Century French Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Crystal, Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Maple, Rosewood
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Porcelain
Late 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Straw
2010s American Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Paint, Paper
Late 20th Century French Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Metal
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Metal
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Metal, Ormolu
20th Century Belgian Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Glass
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Silk, Wood
20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Shell
1890s Russian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Silver, Sterling Silver
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Bronze
Late 20th Century English Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Stoneware
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Poplar
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Silk, Wood
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Bronze
Late 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Mother-of-Pearl, Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Metal
1790s French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Gold
Mid-19th Century Austrian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Ash
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Walnut
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Brass
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Bronze
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Walnut
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Bronze
1930s Unknown Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Steel
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Ormolu
20th Century English Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Ceramic
Early 20th Century German Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Crystal, Bronze
1870s Spanish Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Silver
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Agate, Brass
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Wood
1760s Spanish Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Silver
1830s Dutch Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Sterling Silver
20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Shell