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.
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Crystal, Ormolu
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Burl
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Silver
1990s Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Leather
Mid-19th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Eggshell, Lacquer
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Ormolu
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Ormolu
20th Century English Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Porcelain
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Bronze
Early 20th Century German Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Crystal, Bronze
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Leather, Faux Leather, Paper
Early 19th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Alabaster
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Metal
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Silk, Wood
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Bronze
20th Century French Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Bakelite
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Malachite, Ormolu
Early 20th Century Austrian Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Bronze
Mid-20th Century British Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Silver Plate
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Sheet Metal
20th Century British Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Ceramic
20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Shell
20th Century Belgian Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Glass
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Bronze
20th Century French Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Crystal, Brass
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Poplar
Late 20th Century English Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Bronze
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Metal
Mid-20th Century English Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Stoneware
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Crystal, Bronze
19th Century Swiss Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Metal
Late 20th Century French Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Porcelain
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Bronze
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Brass
1930s Unknown Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Steel
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Bronze
20th Century English Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Ceramic
20th Century Chinese Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Metal
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Agate, Brass
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Sterling Silver
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Bone
19th Century Swiss Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Gold, Enamel
Mid-18th Century Austrian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Wood, Lacquer
Early 20th Century German Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Silver
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Onyx, Bronze
Early 20th Century Russian Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Bone, Fabric, Paper
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Leather
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Crystal, Ormolu
Late 20th Century French Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Porcelain
1930s American Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Velvet, Mahogany
Early 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Mahogany
Early 1900s Swiss Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Crystal, Silver, Enamel
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Marble
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Metal, Silver
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Wood, Silk
Late 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Straw
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Walnut
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Walnut