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.
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Blanket Chests
Cedar, Pine, Paint
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Blanket Chests
Metal
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Blanket Chests
Metal
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Blanket Chests
Metal
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Blanket Chests
Metal
Early 1900s Antique Neoclassical Blanket Chests
Oak, Pine
19th Century Mexican Antique Neoclassical Blanket Chests
Wood
Late 18th Century American Antique Neoclassical Blanket Chests
Brass
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Blanket Chests
Wood
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Blanket Chests
Wood, Fruitwood, Satinwood
1880s Scottish Antique Neoclassical Blanket Chests
Oak
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Blanket Chests
Silver Plate
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Blanket Chests
Iron
Mid-20th Century Thai Neoclassical Blanket Chests
Teak
Early 1900s American Antique Neoclassical Blanket Chests
Metal
Mid-20th Century British Neoclassical Blanket Chests
Pine
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Blanket Chests
Oak
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Blanket Chests
Wicker
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Blanket Chests
Walnut, Cedar
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Blanket Chests
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Blanket Chests
Brass
Late 19th Century Hungarian Antique Neoclassical Blanket Chests
Pine
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
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Blanket Chests
Metal, Steel
18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Blanket Chests
Walnut, Burl
Late 18th Century German Antique Neoclassical Blanket Chests
Iron
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Blanket Chests
Walnut
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Blanket Chests
Wood
Mid-19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Blanket Chests
Oak
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Blanket Chests
Wood, Fruitwood, Satinwood
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Blanket Chests
Wood