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.
$248Sale Price / set|20% Off
6 West Germany Easter Eggs Paper Mache
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Set of 6 nesting West Germany Easter eggs paper mache. Collectible
Paper
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...
Metal
Silver and enamel candy box
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Silver and enamel candy box glass candy jar with silver lid and painted enamel on its lid Origin Switzerland Circa 1900 stamped 935 silver cap Guillo...
Crystal, Silver, Enamel
Favor Box fired Enamel Sterling Silver on the lid and cut crystal Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Favor or small container in cut crystal and lid in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamel on guillochè. Diameter cm. 4.2 total height cm. 4.5. Silver weig...
Crystal, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
$450 / item
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...
Metal
Vintage Quilted Onyx Box
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This stunning vintage jewelry box is a masterclass in Hollywood Regency glamour, offering a sophisticated blend of natural beauty and ornate detailing. Carved from luminous honey-ton...
Stone, Onyx, Brass
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...
Silver
Antique bronze gilded jewelry box with angels and Blood Jasper plaques .
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Just beautiful metal/brass jewelry box with bronze angels and Dragon's Blood Jasper mounted plaques .
Brass
$10,000Sale Price|20% Off
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...
Gold
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".
Silver, Enamel
American Leather Document Box, Circa 1830s, Samuel Francis Smith
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...
Leather, Pine, Linen
Italian Neoclassic Walnut Miniature Commode
Located in Essex, MA
Rectangular top with diamond inlay over three drawers with similar inlay, slight cabriole legs.
Walnut
$3,850 / set
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...
Walnut
Silver Heart-Shaped Spice Box, Lopez Portero, Manuel, Spain, Granada, 1870
Located in Madrid, ES
Heart-shaped spice. Silver. LOPEZ PORTER, Manuel. Spain, Granada, 1870. With contrasting and burilada marks. Silver spice rack in its color with a heart shaped shape and curved spout to one side that has two hinged lids and three spaces inside (partition above and not below); It is supported by three legs decorated with classicist elements and has, towards the side, a series of fine smooth moldings. The hallmarks are those corresponding to Granada, to date, and to the silversmith Manuel López Portero, who also worked as hallmarks in the city. The shape of the piece does not follow the usual prototypes of the time or of the school to which it corresponds (a heart shaped silver box...
Silver
Rare Napoleonic Straw Marquetry Box
Located in New York, NY
This cylinder box is an exceptionally fine example of straw marquetry, and a rare survivor of the craft, which involves the cutting, coloring, and mounting of split straws to form de...
Straw
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...
Bone, Fabric, Paper
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 ...
Crystal, Ormolu
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.
Metal
Box Tobacco Swedish, 19th Century Stone Sweden
Located in New York, NY
A tobacco box made during the 18th-19th century in Sweden. From gray lime stone in a temple shape. Neoclassical.
Stone
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...
Porcelain, Glass