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.
Antique Plaster Pantheon Friezes After John Henning the Elder In A Bespoke Case
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
This antique collection of plaster Pantheon friezes after John Henning the Elder in a bespoke case is a true cabinet of curiosities. The oak box is carved in a Tudor style, with sy...
Plaster, Wood, Oak
French Neoclassic Maplewood Hinged Box, 2nd quarter 19th century
Located in Atlanta, GA
possibly a cigar box at once point based on its wooden liner of Spanish cedar, having a hinged top with matching grains to the bottom, with a brass pull and escutcheon
Maple
German Neoclassical Painted Lacquer Snuff Box, Early 19th Century
By Stobwasser
Located in Spencertown, NY
German neoclassical round snuff box with ancient Roman scene.
Lacquer
American Antique Handwoven Straw Box, Tri-Color Design, 1920, USA
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Rare American antique handwoven tri color straw box in great condition. Great decorative piece and collectible.
Straw
Italian Neoclassic Walnut Miniature Commode
Located in Essex, MA
Rectangular top with diamond inlay over three drawers with similar inlay, slight cabriole legs.
Walnut
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
$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
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...
Other
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
Neoclassical Antique Sterling Silver Tea Caddy Set from 1797 by Robert Sharp
By Robert Sharp
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1797 by Robert Sharp, this rare and exceptional quality, George III, antique sterling silver tea caddy set, comprises two oval tea caddies and a sugar caddy...
Sterling Silver
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 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
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
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
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
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
Signed Val St Lambert Neoclassical Trinket Box Designed, c1910
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Signed Val St Lambert Neoclassical Trinket Box Designed, c1910 Additional information: Date : Designed c1910 Origin : Belgium Bowl Features : Cobalt blue glass with gilded classical...
Glass
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
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
$12,500
German Porcelain Snuff Box
Located in New Orleans, LA
This important German porcelain snuff box exhibits delightful artistry and craftsmanship. Hand painted classical tableau celebrating the e...
Porcelain
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