Neoclassical Blanket Chests
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.
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Blanket Chests
Metal
Early 1900s American Antique Neoclassical Blanket Chests
Metal
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Blanket Chests
Metal
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Blanket Chests
Cedar, Pine, Paint
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Blanket Chests
Metal
Mid-19th Century Antique Neoclassical Blanket Chests
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Blanket Chests
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Blanket Chests
Mahogany
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Blanket Chests
Metal
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Blanket Chests
Metal
Late 18th Century American Antique Neoclassical Blanket Chests
Brass
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Blanket Chests
Wood
18th Century Belgian Antique Neoclassical Blanket Chests
Oak
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Blanket Chests
Pine
Late 19th Century Hungarian Antique Neoclassical Blanket Chests
Pine
1940s Vintage Neoclassical Blanket Chests
Oak
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Neoclassical Blanket Chests
Steel
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Blanket Chests
Pine
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Blanket Chests
Iron
Late 19th Century Hungarian Antique Neoclassical Blanket Chests
Pine
1860s Romanian Antique Neoclassical Blanket Chests
Steel
Early 20th Century Chinese Neoclassical Blanket Chests
Elm
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Blanket Chests
Mahogany, Cedar
1840s English Antique Neoclassical Blanket Chests
Brass, Steel
1880s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Blanket Chests
Pine
1940s Vintage Neoclassical Blanket Chests
Hardwood, Cedar
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Blanket Chests
Brass
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Blanket Chests
Mahogany
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Blanket Chests
Ash
Early 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Blanket Chests
Pine, Paint
Early 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Blanket Chests
Pine
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Blanket Chests
Cedar, Mahogany
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Blanket Chests
Hardwood, Paint
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Blanket Chests
Brass
Mid-20th Century North American Neoclassical Blanket Chests
Steel, Other
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Blanket Chests
Metal, Steel
18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Blanket Chests
Walnut, Burl