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.
$1,600Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Dutch Neoclassical Silver Tea Caddy, 1805
Located in New York, NY
Dutch Neoclassical silver tea caddy, 1805. Oval bowl; cover hinged and domed with silver-mounted wood finial. Beading and fluting. An austere vessel for keeping fresh the precious le...
Silver
Stunning Engraved Neoclassical Antique Sterling Silver Tea Caddy - London 1806
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1806 by Thomas Paine Dexter, this charming, George III period, Antique Sterling Silver Tea Caddy, is oval in shape, and in the Neoclassical taste, with bright cut engraved decoration to the body and lid, a tea plant finial, and an engraved crest to the cartouche. The tea caddy measures 4.25"(11cm) tall, by 4.5"(11.5cm) wide, by 3.25"(8.5cm) deep, and weighs 11 troy ounces. The crest is likely that of John Trotter...
Sterling 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
Antique Victorian Sterling Silver Tea Caddy (1890)
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver tea caddy; an addition to our Victorian silverware. This exceptional, fine and impressive antique Victo...
Sterling Silver
Antique William IV Sterling Silver Table Snuff Box
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique William IV English sterling silver table snuff box; an addition to our collectable silverware collection. This exceptional antique William IV sterling silver snuff box has a rectangular, rounded form. The body of the box is embellished with impressive chased floral motifs accented with scrolling stem and foliate ornamentation, all on a matte background. The decoration to the body incorporates a chased single leaf design to each corner, emanating from the rounded lower portion. The upper rim of the body and swept sides of the cover are encompassed with a continuous band of engine turned decoration. The underside of the box features a further panel of engine turned decoration. This exceptional example of antique silverware is fitted with a hinged hallmarked cover embellished with an engine turned bordered rectangular vacant cartouche to the upper plateau. The cover is further embellished with an exceptional cast and applied domed, incurved border to the upper portion, matching the ornamentation to that of the body and continuing to an impressive floral thumbpiece to the anterior edge. This antique sterling silver snuff box opens to reveal the original gilded interior. Condition This antique sterling silver snuff box is an exceptional gauge of silver, exceptional quality and in exceptional condition. The chased and applied ornamentation is all very sharp and the engine turned decoration is all very crisp. Full hallmarks struck to the interior of the box are all very clear. Reflections in photographs may detract from the true representation of this antique silverware. Dimensions Length 9.8cm/3.9" Width 6.5cm/2.6" Height 4.3cm/1.7" Weight 8.2 troy ounces/253g Maker: Joseph Willmore...
Silver, Sterling Silver
$276Sale Price|20% Off
H 6.5 in W 6 in D 5 in
Antique Moroccan Silver Plated Tea Caddy Footed Candy Box
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
1920s Antique Moroccan Silver Plated Footed Tea Caddy with hinged lid. This authentic Moroccan brass silver plated box has a beautiful etched geometri...
Silver Plate, Brass
Antique English Art Deco Sterling Silver Box
Located in New York, NY
George VI sterling silver box. Made by Robert Pringle & Sons in London in 1939. Rectangular with curved corners. Cover hinged and tabbed; top has engine-turned wave ornament and rect...
Sterling Silver
Dutch Regency Tortoiseshell, Bone & Silver Tea Caddy, Circa 1820
Located in Atlanta, GA
A rare early 19th-century Dutch tortoiseshell tea caddy, circa 1820, of refined casket form with a softly domed hinged lid, canted serpentine corners, and richly figured tortoiseshel...
Bone, Parchment
$2,216
H 1.58 in W 0.36 in D 1.26 in
Antique Victorian Sterling Silver and Enamel Vesta Case by Lawrence Emanuel
By Lawrence Emanuel, Birmingham 1
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver and enamel vesta case; an addition to our range of collectable silver cases. This exceptional antique...
Silver, Sterling Silver, Enamel
$820
H 5.25 in W 3.75 in D 3 in
Antique Irish Georgian Hand Cut Crystal Sterling Silver Tea Caddy George III
Located in Dublin, Ireland
An exceptionally rare Irish George III hand cut full lead crystal single tea caddy of rectangular outline with canted corners and outstanding quality, first quarter of the nineteenth century. The finely chased silver mounted rim and hinged cover, hand cut with three bands of lozenges on a plain ground, decorative star cut base underneath. Condition: Exceptional condition for such an early piece, with no losses or clouding inside, silver mounts are unmarked but test positive for silver. Wonderful age wear underneath on base. Lock is present but key does not turn. Back and front views are similar. Measures: Height: 5.25” (13.5cm). Width: 3.75” (9.5cm). Depth: 3” (7.5cm). Location: Dublin City, Ireland. Stunning and rare Tea Caddy...
Crystal, Sterling Silver
Antique Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy
Located in Northampton, GB
FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING This Antique Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy dates to the Georgian period during the reign of George III, circa 1800. The tea caddy is formed in an elegant octagona...
Shell, Wood, Boxwood
Antique Sterling Silver Combination Vesta and Tobacco Box
By Smith & Bartlam
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique George V English sterling silver combination vesta and tobacco box; an addition to our smoking related silverware collection This exceptional antique George V sterling silver tobacco box has a plain circular rounded form. The upper portion of this antique silver...
Sterling Silver
$950Sale Price|20% Off
H 4 in Dm 2.25 in
19th Century Chinese Porcelain Tea Caddy with Dutch Sterling Silver Lid
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
19th century Chinese porcelain tea caddy with Dutch hallmarked sterling silver lid featuring scrolling foliate and floral designs and a win...
Sterling Silver
$1,461
H 6.7 in W 13.78 in D 7.68 in
Antique Victorian English Burr Walnut Tea Caddy Sarcophagus Double Tea Caddy
Located in Suffolk, GB
An antique Victorian English burr walnut tea caddy of classic sarcophagus form, raised on bun feet and of excellent colour throughout. The lid is beautifully shaped and finely carved...
Walnut
$3,385
H 4.3 in W 4.5 in D 2.7 in
Georgian Silver Tea Caddy Tableware Empire Sterling Silver Box Empire Casket
By Hester Bateman, Charles Nicolas Odiot, Gorham CO., Towle Silversmiths, Barbour Silver Co.
Located in Wommelgem, VAN
Antique Sterling Silver tea caddy / box Style Georgian, French Empire, Napoleonic, Dutch A sterling silver very stylized tea box with good working lock Decorated with embossed pearl...
Silver
Circa 1780 Continental Porcelain Tea Caddy
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Continental tea caddy, c.1780, molded soft paste porcelain. Neoclassical swag decoration, gilt monogram. No cover. Harvey Gunter collection. 3 1/4"w., 1 1/4"d., 5"h. Whitehall Antiq...
Porcelain
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H 3.94 in Dm 3.94 in
Neoclassical George III Period Antique Sterling Silver Tea Caddy - London 1775
By Walter Brind
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1775 by Walter Brind, this charming, George III period, Antique, Sterling Silver Tea Caddy, is cylindrical in shape, with wonderful engraved decoration to the...
Sterling Silver
Georgian Period Pear Shaped Treen Tea Caddy
Located in Savannah, GA
During the Georgian period the neoclassical manner became increasingly popular in England, resulting in a style of furniture and accessories now associated with elegant restraint. Wh...
Brass
Sterling Silver Tea Caddy Hamilton & Co Calcutta
By Hamilton & Co., Calcutta, Colen Hewer Cheshire
Located in Northampton, GB
Decorate with Repousee Flowers From our Tea Caddy collection, we are pleased to offer this Sterling Silver Tea Caddy. The Tea Caddy of oval canister form with a central band of flo...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Antique Cubic Tea Box, Birch Veneer, North Germany circa 1860
Located in Regensburg, DE
Beautiful cubic tea box. Birch book-matched veneered on softwood. Restored and hand polished with shellac. Knob made of bone. Signed "1865" on the bottom. Dimensions: H 14 cm x W...
Birch, Softwood
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H 4.75 in W 8.75 in D 5.25 in
Antique French Ebony & Mahogany Inlaid Tea Caddy Box, Susse Freres, circa 1840
By Susse Freres
Located in Pearland, TX
A superb antique French ebony and mahogany inlaid tea caddy chest made by the prominent Susse Freres brothers of Paris, circa 1840. Signed by the maker. Th...
Mahogany, Ebony
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H 5.71 in W 5.32 in D 3.75 in
John Scofield, George III Antique Sterling Silver Tea Caddy, London 1792
By John Scofield
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1792 by John Scofield, this very handsome, George III, Antique Sterling Silver Tea Caddy, is oval in shape, p...
Sterling Silver
Hester Bateman, Sterling Silver Tea Caddy, London 1788, Oval Shape
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1788 by Hester Bateman, this stylish, George III, antique sterling silver tea caddy, is oval in shape, plain in style and features a pull off cap and reed bor...
Sterling Silver
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H 4.34 in W 4.93 in D 3.75 in
Hester Bateman George III Antique Sterling Silver Tea Caddy from 1780
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1780 by Hester Bateman, this elegant, George III, antique, sterling silver tea caddy is pleasingly simple, with a plain oval body decorated top and bottom wit...
Sterling Silver
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H 6.3 in W 5.52 in D 3.94 in
Neoclassical George III Antique Sterling Silver Tea Caddy by John Robins in 1790
By John Robins
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1790 by John Robins, this fine, exceptional quality, George III, antique, sterling silver tea caddy, has striking brightcut engraving around the base, top and...
Sterling Silver
Tiffany Neoclassical Sterling Silver Ginger Jar Tea Caddy
Located in New York, NY
Neoclassical sterling silver ginger jar tea caddy. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Twisted ornament with flowers, pointille scrolls, and scallop s...
Decoupage and Fruit Painted Tea Caddy
Located in Greenwich, CT
Very fine early 19th century sarcophagus form tea caddy entirely decorated in original decoupaged and hand painted fruit, under original crackled varnish, retaining original brass pa...
Wood, Paint