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.
$973Sale Price|25% Off
FABERGE 1915 Moscow Odessa St Petersburg Empty Box For a Letter Opener Object
By Fabergé
Located in Miami, FL
An empty box for a letter opener, created by Faberge. This is an empty antique presentation box, created in Russia by the Luxury house of Faberge, circa 1915. The box is in pretty g...
Fabric, Silk, Wood
$675Sale Price|20% Off
Jewelry Box Gilded Interior with Silk Satin Padding France, Paris, 1800
Located in Milano, IT
Jewelry box numbered below on the bottom. France Paris 1800, gilded metal. Interior with period silk satin padding. Precious and splendid antique jewelry box. The jewelry box is made...
Metal
Italian Richard Ginori Porcelain Jewelry Box Neoclassical
Located in New York, NY
A small Italian porcelain jewelry box, in the Neoclassical design style, by Italian designer, Richard Ginori, circa mid to late-20th century, Italy. Porcelain box is round with black...
Porcelain
Carl Faberge attb signed silver 84 jewelry box parcel- gilt St Petersburg 1890
By Fabergé
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is an amazing parcel-gilt silver table ,jewelry box in the form of a box. Artist initial NS or IS undetermined , signed also Faberge in Cyrillic , According experts the box was ...
Silver
Gilt Bronze and Onyx Jewelry Box, France, Late 19th Century
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Gilt bronze and onyx jewelry box. France, late 19th century. It has silk inside.
Onyx, Bronze
Finest Quality Reuge Swiss 3.72 Note Grand Piano Inlaid Music Box Plays 3 Songs
Located in Tustin, CA
Astounding, finest quality, hand-made estate 3.72 note "Reuge" music and jewelry box grand piano with gorgeous instrumental motif marquetry on burl walnut wood case. The music box plays 3 songs. Flawless sound featuring a 72 note Swiss movement. The wood piano case is handmade in Italy by the world's best master artisans in marquetry. One cylinder; 3 melodies playing one after another. It plays for a very long time when fully wound. Reuge 72...
Burl
Box in Burled Wood and Brass Brown Color France 19th Century
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This box is in burl wood. It has been made in France in the 1870s. The color is brown, and it is in an good condition. Brown color.
Silk, Wood
Vintage German Crystal & Bronze Jewelry Casket Carriage
Located in Elkhart, IN
A very rare vintage cut crystal jewelry casket/carriage with bronze mounts. The domed crystal casket sits on a bronze carriage stand with turnin...
Crystal, Bronze
$2,400
Italian Jewelry Box
Located in New York, NY
Italian jewelry box. Neoclassical style miniature chest of drawers fit for jewels. A scaled replica of a Louis XVI boxwood, palissander, rosewood an...
Carrara Marble
Austrian Tulipwood Miniature Chest Of Drawers
Located in Essex, MA
Rectangular top over three drawers with wood knobs and escutcheon. Bun feet.
Tulipwood
Continental Silver Trinket Box with Enamel Plaque
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions- H: 1 1/2n W: 6in D: 4in Weight: 15.9 Troy OZ (with Plaque Included) This late Continental 800 silver trinket box is perfect for you and your collection! if you look at the photos provided, you will see the outstanding floral design enamel plaque...
Silver, Enamel
$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
Edward F. Caldwell Neoclassical Style Silvered Bronze Box, Angels, Music Motifs
Located in New York, NY
Fine and unusual signed Edward F. Caldwell & Co. Neoclassical style silvered bronze box depicting a pair of winged angels playing music at an altar. One angel plays a lyre and the other an aulos or double flute, flanked by impressive torcheres bearing pine cones and surrounded by a wide border of olive leaves and olive fruit. The interior of cover decorated with a highly artistic pair of Bacchus masks flanking a grapevine garland, signed on upper right corner E. F. Caldwell & Co. Inc New York. The sides of the box further decorated with Bacchus masks and grapevine garlands of very fine quality Caldwell is known for. Substantial size- excellent as a jewelry box or tabletop decorative box. Very good condition commensurate with age. Base is lined with black velvet, very slight bend to upper left corner, silvered finish in good condition. Edward F. Caldwell & Co was established in 1895 in New York City at 31 East 17th Street and quickly became one of the premier designers and manufacturers of fine lighting and decorative objects. Their commissions included J.P. Morgan's residence, Saint Patrick's Cathedral, Vanderbilt Mansion, Henry Clay Frick residence, Harvard Club...
Bronze
Bronze and Porcelain Jewelry Box, Porcelain Plaques Painted by Johner
By Johner
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Bronze and porcelain jewelry box. Porcelain plaques painted by Johner. Neoclassical style. Vienna, circa 1900.
Bronze
Meissen Porcelain Jewelry Box in Capodimonte Style
Located in Sarasota, FL
Meissen porcelain jewelry box in Capodimonte porcelain style.Depicts neolclassical scenes. Marked with blue crossed swords for Meissen..
Porcelain
Box in Burled Wood and Silk Brown Color, France, 19th Century
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This box is in burl wood. It has been made in France in the 1870s. The color is brown, and it is in an good condition. Black silk in the inside. Coat of arms on the top of the lid.
Wood, Silk
$868Sale Price|20% Off
Miniature of a Jewelry Box in Gilt Bronze, Paris, France, circa 1800
Located in Milano, IT
Beautiful and precious miniature of a bronze jewelry chair. The seat rises and inside we find some vintage burgundy red silk satin. The surface features sophisticated details. Miniat...
Bronze
$160
H 2.88 in W 2.75 in D 2.38 in
Antique Ormolu Jewelry Box French Casket Bevelled Glass Paris Village Suisse
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Antique French Églomisé Casket - Souvenir from France, circa 1900 A charming French antique casket from circa 1900 with gilt brass fittings and clear glass panels. The hinged lid fe...
Crystal, Ormolu
$7,998Sale Price|20% Off
H 4.75 in W 11 in D 3.88 in
Fine Antique French Malachite and Bronze Jewelry Box, c.1890
Located in Bath, GB
A truly fabulous late nineteenth century jewelry box made from a fine example of malachite, the first image is the most true colour in person. The Malachite during this era was ag...
Malachite, Bronze
Early 1900s French Embossed Leather Letter Box
Located in Dallas, TX
More information coming soon… Dating to the early 1900s, this French letter box has tan leather with black faux marbling. The angled lid lifts to reveal three slots, each lined wit...
Metal
Sevres Porcelain Box
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Sevres porcelain box Origin France Circa 1900 Interior decoration (flowers) bronze mount hand painted box.
Bronze
Thorens Swiss AD 30 Upright Music Box with Ten Discs, circa 1970
Located in Evergreen, CO
Manufactured by the renowned Thorens Company of Switzerland in the mid-20th century, this delightful music box is comprised of a quality fruitwood case with a glass door that allows ...
Fruitwood
Fabergé Glass Box
By Peter Carl Fabergé
Located in New Orleans, LA
Beautifully rare, this superb silver-mounted cut glass toilette box was crafted by legendary Russian jeweler and artisan Peter Carl Fabergé. The rou...
Silver
Granada Moorish Spain Inlaid Marquetry Jewelry Music Box
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
1950s Moorish Spain Music Box: This exquisite handcrafted box, made in Granada, Spain, showcases the intricate art of Islamic Moorish marquetry. The ...
Fruitwood
Richard Ginori Giovanni Gariboldi Ceramic, 1950, Italy
Located in Milano, IT
Richard Ginori Giovanni Gariboldi ceramic, 1950, Italy.
Ceramic
Antique 1890s Burmese Silver Box
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Burmese silver box; an addition to our diverse Asian silverware collection. This exceptional antique Bu...
Silver
Italy Richard Ginori Early 18th Century Porcelain Vase
Located in Brescia, IT
This elegant vase was produced by Richard Ginori porcelain manufacturer in Doccia, Italy, in the 1730 Not easy to find this model so fine and elegant with its country flowers in pin...
Porcelain
$1,374
H 3.55 in W 5.12 in D 3.55 in
Antique 19th Century French Art Nouveau Pierced Gilt Bronze Jewelry Box
Located in Firenze, IT
This lavish French Art Nouveau period (1880-1910) jewelry box is entirely chiseled, hammered and pierced with flowers and leaf patterns. This late 19th – early 20th century rectangul...
Bronze
Liberace Autographed Vintage Schoenhut Toy Grand Piano
By Schoenhut
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Made by the renowned American toy manufacturer in approximately 1920, this wooden toy baby grand piano has been autographed in two places by the legendary Liberace. The piano shows o...
Brass
Sold
H 1.625 in W 3 in D 1.625 in
Mid-19th Century French Banded Agate and Ormolu Jewel Casket, Miniature
Located in Atlanta, GA
Mid-19th Century French Banded Agate and Ormolu Jewel Casket A refined French banded agate and gilt bronze (ormolu) rectangular jewel casket, mid-19th century, of hinged form with c...
Agate, Ormolu
C. 1830 Amboyna & Brass Bound Jewlery Box
By Tahan Paris
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1830 amboyna & brass bound jewelry box attributed to Tahan of Paris. Elegant lining. With working key. Provenance: Dr. John Fryer Collection, London & Chapel Hill, bought from ...
Brass
Vintage Jewerly Wood Box
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration a vintage jewerly wood box. Unmarked, no information from the maker. Dimensions: 3.88 H x 14.25 W x 9.75 D Please visit take a look at our listings, we have a...
Wood
19th C. French Charming Bronze Jewelry Box with Limoges enamel
By Limoges
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
19th C. French Charming Bronze Jewelry Box with Limoges enamel Made in france This Beautiful bronze jewelry box with delicately carved frames, and in the center with a wonderful por...
Bronze, Enamel
Simo, Florence Italy Musical Lipstick Carousel - Capodimonte Porcelain Cherubs
Located in Soquel, CA
Simo, Florence Italy Musical Lipstick Carousel - Capodimonte Porcelain Cherubs Italian lipstick carousel with a Porcelain works Simo, Florence Italy with a Swiss Reuge music box...
Silver Plate
Vintage Burl Wood Small Rectangular Hinged Lidded Box
Located in Amityville, NY
A small vintage rectangular lidded box with multiple species of wood. Primarily in a darker wood with small burls, featuring inlaid triangle shaped corners in a lighter wood tone. Th...
Brass
19th Century Italian Carved Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Heavily and finely carved with leaves and fruit, Has four drawers with inlaid interior. Could possibly be French.
Wood
Sold
H 5 in W 5.75 in D 3.5 in
Fine French Empire Ormolu Mounted Baccarat Cut Crystal Bronze Casket Jewelry Box
By Baccarat
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Very Fine French Empire / Neoclassical Style Bronze Ormolu Mounted & Faceted Cut Crystal Jewelry Box / Casket In The Manner Of Baccarat.
Crystal, Bronze, Ormolu
Neoclassical Box, Rosewood, Mother-of-Pearl, France, 19th Century
Located in Regensburg, DE
Antique neoclassical box, rosewood and maple. Mother-of-pearl inlays. Refinished condition, hand-polished with shellac. Dimensions, H 10 cm x W 27,5 cm x D 20 cm.
Mother-of-Pearl, Rosewood
English Wedgwood Jasperware Box Neoclassical Style
By Wedgwood
Located in New York, NY
An English Wedgwood Jasperware teal green and white jewelry or decorative box with Neoclassical design, circa late-20th century, England. B...
Stoneware
Petite Antique French Neoclassical Gilt Bronze Jewel Casket
Located in Forney, TX
A fine diminutive French Neoclassical ormolu gilded metal jewelry casket. Born around the turn of the 18th/19th century, the exceptionally executed petite masterpiece features a rectangular chest shape with hinged dome lid, opening to the original worn ivory silk-lined interior, when removed revealing mark "XVII" (c.1785-1795) to the bottom of the interior. The top, front, sides and back magnificently decorated in ornate repousse ornamentation, classical masks, fruit filled urns flanked by cherubs...
Metal, Ormolu
Malachite Jewelry Box
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful and substantial green Malachite decorative or jewelry box, circa late-20th century. Box is rectangular in shape with female resin cameo detail on top lid. A great decorative or jewelry box (as demonstrated), to necklaces, rings, earring, cufflinks, etc., on a vanity, nightstand, dresser, desk, credenza, walk-in-closet, etc. Very good condition as shown in images and video. Dimensions: 2.25" Height x 2.38" Width x 3.32" Depth. Other boxes shown available separately; search 1stDibs ref. #s: Purple Charoite box...
Malachite