Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
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.
297
73
4
to
33
291
80
374
335
348
1,913
755
586
570
562
501
374
351
264
221
198
174
161
131
50
48
20
14
84
140
73
77
19
19
19
2
3
3
2
1
2
3
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
369
98
85
63
60
262
141
69
52
41
7
2
2
2
1
Style: Neoclassical
Pair of Fine Italian Neoclassical commodes, Parma ca. 1780
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of fine 18th century Italian neoclassical serpentine figured walnut commodes with greek key and lion head carvings on apron and sides, with fluted detail on corners and legs....
Category
1780s Italian Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Pair of Late 18th Century Italian Neoclassical Walnut Inlaid Commodini
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Late 18th Century Italian Neoclassical Walnut Inlaid Commodini
Category
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Walnut
18th Century Italian Inlaid Walnut Commode
Located in Carmine, TX
Commode hand-crafted in Southern Tuscany (Italy) in the mid 1700s using walnut. The commode can be considered a neoclassical commode, however it has some elements that make it a bit ...
Category
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Satinwood, Walnut
18th Century Italian Neoclassical Walnut Banded Commode
Located in Carmine, TX
Stunning neoclassical / Louis XVI commode from central Italy hand-crafted in the mid 1700s using walnut and pegged construction. I, personally, fell in love when I saw it the first t...
Category
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Walnut
18th Century Italian Neoclassical Bleached Walnut Commode / Chest of Drawers
Located in Carmine, TX
Comò hand-made in Italy in the mid 1700s using walnut and decorated with walnut veneer. The commode shows the typical lines of the Italian neoclassical style with flat inset drawers,...
Category
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Walnut
19th Century Italian Neoclassical Cherry Commode / Chest of Drawers
Located in Carmine, TX
Neoclassical commode hand-made in Italy in the early 1800s using cherry and pegged construction. This is a beautifully-made and fully functional two on two chest of drawers. The ches...
Category
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Cherry
Neo Classical Style Mahogany Cabinet
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Neo classical style mahogany cabinet with a painted top, circa 1930's. With a painted top over a paneled door and paneled sides, the apron with Greek key design, resting on petite sq...
Category
1920s Unknown Vintage Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Mahogany, Paint
Italian Neoclassical Commode with Marble Top and Marquetry, 18th Century
Located in Charleston, SC
This Elegant Pair of Neoclassical Marquetry Commodes with Marble Tops where made in Italy in the late Eighteenth Century. The Italian Commodes have walnut, mahogany and marquetry in...
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Marble
Early 19th Century French Neoclassical Oak Chest of Drawers
Located in High Point, NC
Graceful and refined, this antique chest of drawers offers a Neoclassical design in natural oak. Hand-built in France in the early 1800s, the paneling of the drawers is precise and g...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Oak
20th Century Italian Walnut Bedside Tables
Located in Westport, CT
A charming pair of narrow chests comprised of 2 drawers finishing on high tapered and squared legs and embellished with inlaid shield shaped es...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Walnut
Italian, Veneto Region, Walnut Veneer 3-Drawer Commode, Shaped Legs, ca. 1820
Located in Atlanta, GA
having a rectangular top with thick rounded edge veneers atop a conforming slightly recessed case, the top drawer without pulls and accessed from hand-holds underneath, the two bott...
Category
1810s Italian Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Walnut
French Neoclassical 19th Century Walnut Marble Top Commode Chest of Drawers
Located in Hopewell, NJ
A French Neoclassical commode, with marble top and exquisite brass accent knobs, from the 19th century. This antique chest from France features a rectangular-shaped gray marble top, ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Marble
Pair Neoclassical Miniature Commodes Chest of Drawers Mid 20th Century
Located in Rochester, NY
Pair of neoclassical miniature commodes. Highly figured fruit wood with brass fittings. Italian. Mid 20th century. They could also be used as end tables.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Italian Neoclassical Chest of Drawers C. 1940
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid 20th Century Neoclassical style chest of drawers. The chest has four drawers for plenty of storage. The drawers are decorated with carved vines flanking a beaded circle. Brass ...
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Walnut
Russian Neo Classic Commode
Located in Westwood, NJ
A fine Russian neoclassic mahogany three-drawer commode with brass trim and mounts, with diamond-shaped inlays and a stepped top, raised on canted square tapered legs.
Category
1820s Russian Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Mahogany
French Neoclassical Wooden Commode w/ Flute Carved Posts, 19th C
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Neoclassic commode, with scraped finish, from the 19th century. This antique chest from France features a rectangular-shaped top with pronounced and rounded corners, which rests atop a neoclassical style case which houses three graduated drawers set within rounded and fluted front side posts. The drawers are each adorn with brass Neoclassic style hardware (a later addition) with pair of garland pull handles and decorative escutcheon at their centers. The chest is nicely raised upon rounded legs. This piece has been scraped down to its original finish; mostly wood with grey/blue and brown colors showing through in some areas. This handsome 19th century French Neoclassical chest...
Category
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Marble
18th Century Inlay Italian Neoclassical Walnut Commode / Chest
Located in Carmine, TX
Neoclassical (Louis xvi) commode hand-made in Italy in the early 1700s using walnut and pegged construction. This is an absolute beauty that will catch your, and your guests', eye be...
Category
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Satinwood, Walnut
American Tiger Oak Chest of Drawers, circa 1900
Located in New York, NY
American carved tiger oak chest of drawers or dresser, having five drawers and one door, brass hardware, circa 1900. Measures: 45.5" H x 36" W x 19" D....
Category
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Oak
French Neoclassical Wooden Commode w/Brass Trim, 19th C.
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Neoclassical style three-drawer commode from the 19th century. This antique chest from France features a rectangular-shaped top which slightly overhangs the case below which...
Category
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Wood
1820s Neoclassical Period French Three-Drawer Walnut Commode with Brass Trim
Located in Bradenton, FL
A French neoclassic three-drawer commode with brass trim and tapered feet from the early 19th century. French commode features an exquisite sl...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Wood
Pair of Neoclassical-Style Two-Drawer Raised Chests, Bleached w/Champagne Trim
Located in Atlanta, GA
A vintage pair of nicely inspired French neoclassical style raised chests, American made by furniture makers Auffray & Co (NYC). This pair of French style commodes...
Category
20th Century American Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Wood
Italian Serpentine Neoclassical Walnut Commode with Scalloped Skirt
Located in Nashville, TN
Classic simplicity , clean sweeping lines, almost contemporary in feel, with very good color and time faded patina. Canted Corners in a herringbone pattern .warm mottled color and patina. Reds ,golds , tans , browns colors swirl through out .
Scalloped skirt...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Walnut
18th Century Italian Walnut Neoclassical Inlaid Commode
Located in Dallas, TX
Handsome 18th century walnut neoclassical commode. Beautiful wood finish and nice inlaid pattern. Creates a very upscale look!
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Walnut
19th Century Italian Neoclassical Commode
Located in Dallas, TX
Superb quality early 19th century Italian neoclassical mahogany commode. The three long drawers having old bronze escutcheons and pulls ...
Category
1830s Italian Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Mahogany
Swedish Neoclassical Style Painted Tall Chest with Carved Faces and Palmettes
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish neoclassical style mid-19th century wooden tall chest-of-drawers painted in a cream color. This Swedish tall chest features a rectangular ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Wood
A Fine Russian Neoclassical Commode or Nightstand or Bathroom Vanity
Located in Stamford, CT
One of a kind Russian neoclassical three-drawer commode or bedside stand. Finely cast bronze mounts. Having marble tops supported by three drawers of framed mahogany with center bur...
Category
Early 20th Century Russian Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Neoclassical commodes and chests of drawers for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Neoclassical commodes and chests of drawers for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage commodes and chests of drawers created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets, more furniture and collectibles, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Neoclassical commodes and chests of drawers made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and France pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original commodes and chests of drawers, popular names associated with this style include Modenese Gastone, Carpanese Home Italia, Maitland Smith, and Venfield. 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 commodes and chests of drawers differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $550 and tops out at $175,000 while the average work can sell for $6,878.
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Scallop Top Chest
Small Drawer Mahogany Chest
Pair French Commodes Marble
Long Painted Chest
Large Black Chest Of Drawers
Antique Marquetry Side Cabinet
French Fruitwood Chest
Cabinet Pulls And Knobs
Ebonized Mahogany Chest
Entrance Storage
French 18th Century Louis Xvi Period Cabinets
Small Cherry Cabinet
Tallboy Drawers
Black Louis Chest
Burled Commode
6 Drawer Chest
Commodes Holland
Antique Commode White