Neoclassical 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 Boxes
Crystal, Ormolu
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Boxes
Burl
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Boxes
Silver
Mid-19th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Boxes
Sterling Silver
1990s Neoclassical Boxes
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Neoclassical Boxes
Eggshell, Lacquer
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Boxes
Ormolu
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Boxes
Ormolu
20th Century English Neoclassical Boxes
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Boxes
Porcelain
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Boxes
Steel, Wrought Iron, Iron
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Boxes
Bronze
Early 20th Century German Neoclassical Boxes
Crystal, Bronze
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Boxes
Brass
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Boxes
Leather, Faux Leather, Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Neoclassical Boxes
Burl
Early 19th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Boxes
Alabaster
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Boxes
Silk, Wood
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Boxes
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Boxes
Metal
20th Century French Neoclassical Boxes
Crystal, Brass
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Boxes
Malachite, Ormolu
Mid-20th Century English Neoclassical Boxes
Stoneware
Early 20th Century Austrian Neoclassical Boxes
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Boxes
Bronze
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Boxes
Sheet Metal
20th Century British Neoclassical Boxes
Ceramic
20th Century Belgian Neoclassical Boxes
Glass
Mid-20th Century British Neoclassical Boxes
Silver Plate
20th Century American Neoclassical Boxes
Shell
20th Century French Neoclassical Boxes
Bakelite
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Boxes
Poplar
Late 20th Century English Neoclassical Boxes
Bronze
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Boxes
Metal
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Boxes
Bronze
1890s Russian Antique Neoclassical Boxes
Silver
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Boxes
Bronze
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Boxes
Bronze
Late 20th Century French Neoclassical Boxes
Porcelain
19th Century Swiss Antique Neoclassical Boxes
Metal
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Boxes
Crystal, Bronze
1990s Unknown Neoclassical Boxes
Wood
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Boxes
Brass
1930s Unknown Vintage Neoclassical Boxes
Steel
20th Century English Neoclassical Boxes
Ceramic
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Boxes
Carrara Marble
20th Century Chinese Neoclassical Boxes
Metal
Early 20th Century German Neoclassical Boxes
Silver
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Boxes
Agate, Brass
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Boxes
Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Boxes
Onyx, Bronze
Mid-18th Century Austrian Antique Neoclassical Boxes
Wood, Lacquer
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Boxes
Bone
19th Century Swiss Antique Neoclassical Boxes
Gold, Enamel
Early 20th Century Russian Neoclassical Boxes
Bone, Fabric, Paper
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Boxes
Bronze
1930s American Vintage Neoclassical Boxes
Velvet, Mahogany
Early 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Boxes
Mahogany
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Boxes
Bronze
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Boxes
Leather