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Neoclassical Decorative Boxes

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.

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Style: Neoclassical
18th Century Italian Florentine Silver-leaf Polylobed Engraved Box
Located in Milano, MI
Italian antique silvered Florentine box, polylobed box from the end of the 1700s made of bent and curved wood to obtain a four-pointed polylobe. The ori...
Category

Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes

Materials

Walnut

Column Pedestal Box Neoclassical Style
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful column pedestal box in the neoclassical style, circa mid-20th century, USA. Piece is a rich dark brown wood with an octagonal base and fluted pillar. Box opens to an insi...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

German Neoclassical Painted Lacquer Snuff Box, Early 19th Century
By Stobwasser
Located in Spencertown, NY
German neoclassical round snuff box with ancient Roman scene.
Category

Early 19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes

Materials

Lacquer

Scatola Fiorentina Legno Inciso e Dorato Decorata con Uccellino 1780s Ottagonale
Located in Milano, MI
Originale scatola Italiana in legno laccato ed inciso a bulino di forma ottagonale di epoca Settecentesca, in discreto stato conservativo. Questo tipo di scatole solitamente apparten...
Category

Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes

Materials

Walnut

Early Blue Toleware Chicago Globe Soap Tin Bin Box
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Large Rectangular Hand Painted Tin Bin Box by Chicago Globe Soap Company. The box is decorated with dancing Nymphs Fairies Nudes holding musically instruments.
Category

Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Boxes

Materials

Sheet Metal

Historically Important Circa 1830's American Document Box Boston
Located in Hudson, NY
This historically important, American leather clad document box, was made in Boston in the early nineteenth century. The box belonged to, Samuel Francis Smith (October 21, 1808 – Nov...
Category

1830s American Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes

Materials

Leather, Pine, Linen

Antique Russian Sewing Box, Dated 1828
Located in Sarasota, FL
An antique Russian sewing box made of bone, dated 1828 on the lid. Decorated with an etched trailing foliage pattern and topped with original green pin cushion. Lined with original g...
Category

Early 20th Century Russian Neoclassical Decorative Boxes

Materials

Bone, Fabric, Paper

Hollywood Regency Style Square Tissue Box
Located in Sheffield, MA
Add a touch of glamour to your countertop, nightstand, bath or powder room with a gold gilt edge, Swedish grey finish square tissue box cover for added protection for your facial ti...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Neoclassical Decorative Boxes

Materials

Metal

Grouping of 3 French and English Porcelain boxes
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a charming grouping of three early 20th century dressing table boxes or table decorations. Two of the boxes are hand painted, Fren...
Category

Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Decorative Boxes

Materials

Porcelain

Neoclassical Style Metal Tissue Box Cover
Located in Sheffield, MA
Add style and the finishing touch to your countertop or nightstand with this antiqued gold toned top and grey ribbed metal body tissue box cover to pr...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Neoclassical Decorative Boxes

Materials

Metal

Italian Neoclassic Walnut Miniature Commode
Located in Essex, MA
Rectangular top with diamond inlay over three drawers with similar inlay, slight cabriole legs.
Category

1790s Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes

Materials

Walnut

French School 1790 Louis XVI Oval Snuff Box in 18kt Gold with Miniature Portrait
Located in Miami, FL
Presentation Snuff box from the 18th century French School. A very important and rare Neoclassical oval box, made in Paris, France circa 1790. It was crafted with translucent natu...
Category

1790s French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes

Materials

Gold

Silver Box, 19th-20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
With hallmarks. Three-lobed flat-top box made of silver in its color decorated on the edge and lid with elements on chopped luster. The upper part presents a scene framed by scallop...
Category

Early 20th Century European Neoclassical Decorative Boxes

Materials

Silver

English gilt metal mounted tortoise shell box with oil painting of Caesar
Located in Buchanan, MI
English gilt metal mounted tortoise shell box with oil painting of Julias Caesar.
Category

Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes

Materials

Metal

Late 18th Century Neoclassical George III Penwork Sarcophagus Jewellery Box
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A George III penwork sarcophagus work box with hinged lid decorated with a chariot, the side with Neo-Classical devices. Age related abrasions and knocks later replacement ebonised ...
Category

Late 18th Century European Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes

Materials

Sycamore

Antique C.F. Blanke Tea and Coffee Company Exposition Brand Green Tin Coffee Bin
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique C.F. Blanke Tea and Coffee Company Exposition Brand Green Tin Coffee Bin This antique forest green coffee bin with a slanted lid opening has an exterior reading: "Blankes Ex...
Category

Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Boxes

Materials

Metal

Shepherd Box, Carved Horn or Antler, Spain, 1822
Located in Madrid, ES
Shepherd box. Carved horn. Spain, 1822. Rectangular box made of carved horn that has a date (1822) engraved on the lid and front, a legend (Soi de Manuel Zulueta year 1822) and an...
Category

1820s Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes

Materials

Other

Porcelain and Glass Oval Box, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Small oval box with etched glass base and lid hinge closure made, the latter combining enamel and metal. The bottom has a bucolic landscape with a series of h...
Category

19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes

Materials

Porcelain, Glass

French 19th Century Neo-Classical St. Ormolu And Crystal Box
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and finely detailed French 19th century Neo-Classical st. Ormolu and Crystal box. This beautiful Crystal box displays a wonderful thick Crystal body with lattice designed ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes

Materials

Crystal, Ormolu

Silver 800 and Enamel Music Box Signed Fallaci Firenze, Italy, circa 1930
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Silver 800 and enamel music box signed Fallaci Firenze. Italy, circa 1930. Marked silver 800. Machine signed "Thorens Switzerland".   
Category

1930s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Boxes

Materials

Silver, Enamel

Pair of Early 19th Century Italian Wedding Boxes
Located in Hudson, NY
This very interesting pair of wedding or presentation boxes formed part of the decorative collection of Mrs. John Gutfreund and resided in their home Murry House in Villanova Pa. Cra...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes

Materials

Walnut

Neoclassical decorative boxes for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Neoclassical decorative boxes 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 decorative boxes created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, more furniture and collectibles, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Neoclassical decorative boxes made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original decorative boxes, popular names associated with this style include Wedgwood, Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres, Hermès, and Spanish Manufactory. 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 decorative boxes differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $65 and tops out at $117,686 while the average work can sell for $1,023.

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