Champleve Music Box
Antique 19th Century Swiss Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Metal
People Also Browsed
Antique Early 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Porcelain
Porcelain
Antique Mid-18th Century Baroque Mantel Mirrors and Fireplace Mirrors
Mirror, Giltwood
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Crystal Serveware
Crystal, Ormolu
Antique 19th Century Japanese Meiji Figurative Sculptures
Bronze
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Inkwells
Crystal, Bronze, Ormolu
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Armchairs
Tapestry, Giltwood
Antique Early 1900s French Louis XVI Bergere Chairs
Ormolu
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Chandeliers and Pendants
Crystal, Bronze
Antique 19th Century Russian Decorative Boxes
Silver
Vintage 1940s American Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Antique 1870s French Japonisme Mantel Clocks
Ormolu
Antique 19th Century Unknown Rococo Fireplace Tools and Chimney Pots
Bronze, Ormolu
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Chinese Ceramics
Pottery, Rosewood
Antique 19th Century Unknown Garden Ornaments
Bronze
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Tang Antiquities
Antique 19th Century Italian Classical Roman Sculptures
Carrara Marble
A Close Look at neoclassical Furniture
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.
Finding the Right decorative-boxes for You
Antique, vintage and new decorative boxes will safely store items while adding a splash of color or texture to a corner in any room. They have had a range of purposes over the years — from trinkets to serving as useful receptacles, such as snuff boxes, jewelry boxes and more. Boxes have also been designed in a range of forms and styles.
Box making is a craft dating back thousands of years. Early boxes as decorative objects were regularly designed and decorated both inside and out, ranging from minimal looks to more flashy styles. Decorative boxes have been constructed from different materials, with wood and metal being the most common. Wood is widely available and versatile, with woodworkers able to carve complex designs or showcase its natural grain.
Some antique jewelry boxes were made with tortoiseshell, mother-of-pearl, ivory and even porcupine quills, such as those created by the Anishinabe in Canada and the United States. In Sri Lanka, well-crafted boxes were inlaid with porcupine quills and ivory discs between ebony bands. Chinese sewing boxes and tea boxes made of black lacquer were popular in Europe during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. These often featured gold-painted designs or landscape scenes. Silk, paper and velvet frequently enhanced these boxes’ interiors.
Any style of decorative box can be a nice tabletop or desktop decor, whether to hold candy or tea in the living room or paper, pencils and other business supplies in the office. They can also act as jewelry boxes. Sewing boxes can be a lovely touch to any space while storing magazines or other trinkets.
You can find metal, wood and silver antique boxes on 1stDibs. The collection includes mid-century modern, Victorian and Art Deco styles that can add elegance to any home.
- What is a Polyphon music box?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022A Polyphon music box is a wooden box that plays small interchangeable metal discs. Polyphon Musikwerke invented the device in 1870 and began producing them for sale in 1897 in Leipzig, Germany. Find a variety of Polyphon music boxes on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The box that plays music is called a music box in the U.S. and a musical box in the UK. Early versions date back to the 19th century, and many of them came from factories located in Switzerland. Shop a large selection of antique and vintage music boxes on 1stDibs.
- Are music boxes rare?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022It depends on the make and model of the music box. To find the value of a music box, experts suggest that you work with a certified appraiser. The value of a music box will depend on a number of factors, including the shape it’s in. You’ll find expertly vetted music boxes on 1stDibs.
- What is the best music box?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertAugust 17, 2021The best music box for you depends on your preferences for design, size, and music. Music boxes may be intricately carved or brightly-colored, and contain musical themes from famous plays or films. Music boxes can also be musical boxes designed to hold jewelry or other trinkets.
- 1stDibs ExpertAugust 24, 2021Regina music boxes have musical information carefully stored on a metal disc. A Regina music box works when the holes in the disc engage with the teeth of a gear that leads to the plucking of a musical comb generating a pleasant sound.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The first music box was likely made in Switzerland around the end of the 18th century. Originally, most music boxes were quite small, but as time went on, larger versions developed. Shop a collection of antique and modern music boxes from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- Are music boxes still made?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, music boxes are still made today. A number of artisans continue to produce music boxes by hand. Companies may also mass produce music boxes using machinery. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of music boxes from some of the world’s top sellers.
- What is an old music box called?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022An old music box made from snuff boxes during the 18th century is called a carillons à musique. It is a French word meaning "chimes of music." You'll find a selection of antique music boxes from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.