Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
NEOCLASSICAL STYLE
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.
Style: Neoclassical
Color: Brown
Polychromed Italian Neoclassical Style Chest, 19th Century
Located in Houston, TX
Beautiful shades of pale green painted on this 19th century chest. The top
depicting a putti amidst a wreath band flora, the case with a bank of
three drawers, each in urn and scro...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Wood
Tortoise Wood Bronze Mounted Greek Key Design Commode / Chest Manner Jansen
Located in Stamford, CT
A tortoise wood bronze-mounted Greek key design commode or bedside stand in the manner of Maison Jansen. This spectacular burl walnut tortoise style three drawer commode depict the H...
Category
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Italian Neo-Classic Fruitwood Chests
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Italian Neo-classic (19th Century) fruitwood chests with 3 drawers and tapered fluted legs (PRICED AS Pair).
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Fruitwood
Italian 1790s Neoclassical Period Painted Commode with Pompeian Style Décor
Located in Palm Desert, CA
An Italian neoclassical period painted poplar four-drawer commode with hand-painted Pompeian style motifs and faux-marble top. Born in the later years of the 18th century, this exqui...
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Poplar
Italian Neo-Classic Kingwood Commode
Located in New York, NY
Italian Neo-classic (18/19th Century) kingwood veneer small commode with a single drawer and inlaid trim and medallion on door panel.
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Kingwood
Russian Neoclassical Brass Mounted Mahogany Commode
Located in Sheffield, MA
A Russian Neoclassical Brass Mounted Mahogany Commode
Early 19th Century
The rectangular faux marble top with outset square corners, above a conforming case fitted with three long graduated drawers, flanked by fluted stiles headed by roundels and ending in tapering square feet.
Height 31 1/4 in. Width 41 in. Depth 20 1/2 in.
Provenance:
Private Collection, New York
Le Trianon Fine Art & Antiques...
Category
Early 19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Mahogany
Seven-Drawer Tall Chest of Drawers
Located in New York, NY
Boston, Massachusetts
Seven-drawer tall chest, circa 1825.
Mahogany (secondary woods: mahogany, pine, and poplar)
Measures: 45 5/8 in. high, 27 5/8 in. wide, 14 5/8 in. deep
Inscribed (on six drawer locks): SECURE; (on seventh lock): CHUBB’S / PATENT / 57 St PAULS CHY / LONDON / CHUBB & SON / MAKERS TO / HER MAJESTY / 632284; (on one hinge): [BUR?] NE PATENT; (on master lock): 2 LEVER.
Although some Boston furniture of the Neo-Classical period is elaborately decorated with ormolu mounts, brass moldings, and carved and gilded elements, other pieces are more simple and are said to reflect the “conservative” taste of many of Boston’s great families. The simplicity evident in these pieces is not an indication of a less-expensive line of furniture or a less-sophisticated patronage, but, like the so-called “Grecian Plain Style” of Duncan Phyfe’s furniture...
Category
1820s American Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Mahogany
English Adam Maple Wall Console
Located in New York, NY
English Adam-style (19th Century) maple wall mounted bracket commode/console with walnut inlaid vine & trim with a single drawer and inset black glass top & carved finial base.
Category
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Maple, Walnut, Glass
Italian Venetian Style Painted Commode
Located in New York, NY
Italian Venetian style (18/19th Century with 20th top) two-door chest/commode having a refreshed off-white painted finish with foliate gilt details on cabriole leg with a faux marble...
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Gold Leaf
Italian Neoclassic Style Walnut and Tulipwood Bedside Commode
Located in New York, NY
Italian Neoclassic-style (19th Century) small walnut bedside commode with tulipwood and marquetry inlaid design on top, sides, and back, and two front-facing doors.
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Tulipwood, Walnut
Period German Mid-18th Century Neoclassical Painted Commode
Located in Essex, MA
Period German painted neoclassical commode mid -8th century
Wonderful painted surface. Gilding. Three drawers with original hardware.
Cabriole legs and carved gilded spade feet
Ex collection: Sabatino Abate...
Category
Mid-18th Century German Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mid 19th Century Italian Neoclassic Commode , in solid larch wood and walnut
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Mid 19th century neoclassic commode , chest of drawers , in solid larch wood, polished to wax .Embellishment of the front drawers wi...
Category
1860s Italian Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Walnut
Italian Neo-Classic Walnut Chest
Located in New York, NY
Italian Neo-classic (19th Century) walnut chest with 4 drawers and fluted column sides.
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Mid 19th C. Italian Commode in blond Walnut and Walnut veneer, Polished to Wax
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Italian elegant and important Lombard (from Lissone-Milan-) commode, Mironi e Fossati attributable from the Mid nineteenth century, in blond walnut and walnut veneer. Wax polished. ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Walnut
19th C. Neoclassical Italian Commode in Blond walnut with gray Marble Top
Located in Vigonza, Padua
19th century Italian elegant neoclassical commode chest of drawers in blond walnut and walnut veneer with marble top, restored and polished to wax. All original in excellent conditi...
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Marble
Important Pair of Neoclassical Commodes
Located in New York, NY
An important pair of neoclassical three-drawer commodes.
Cherrywood with ebonized pilasters, patinated bronze pulls,
escutcheons and details.
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Bronze
Chest of drawers. Italian Commode, 18th Century
Located in Miami, FL
Fine 18th century Italian five-drawer walnut commode with inlay and carved giltwood detail, with a figured marble top.
Category
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Walnut
Late 18th Century Dutch Neoclassical Mahogany Large Commode
Located in Hudson, NY
This unusually large three-drawer commode or chest of drawers is of Dutch origins and was made between 1780 and 1800. The simple yet dynamic form is enlivened with large moldings and...
Category
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Pair of Fine Italian Neoclassical commodes, Parma ca. 1780
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of fine 18th century Italian neoclassical serpentine figured walnut commodes with greek key and lion head carvings on apron and sides, with fluted detail on corners and legs....
Category
1780s Italian Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Fine Neoclassical Chest of Three Drawers
Located in New York, NY
A fine neoclassical chest with three drawers.
Category
19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Mahogany
18th Century Inlay Italian Neoclassical Walnut Commode / Chest
Located in Carmine, TX
Neoclassical (Louis xvi) commode hand-made in Italy in the early 1700s using walnut and pegged construction. This is an absolute beauty that will catch your, and your guests', eye be...
Category
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Satinwood, Walnut
American Tiger Oak Chest of Drawers, circa 1900
Located in New York, NY
American carved tiger oak chest of drawers or dresser, having five drawers and one door, brass hardware, circa 1900. Measures: 45.5" H x 36" W x 19" D....
Category
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Oak
1820s Neoclassical Period French Three-Drawer Walnut Commode with Brass Trim
Located in Bradenton, FL
A French neoclassic three-drawer commode with brass trim and tapered feet from the early 19th century. French commode features an exquisite sl...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Wood
Baltic 19th Century Neo-Classical St. Mahogany, Ormolu, and Soapstone Commode
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking and most elegant Baltic 19th century Neo-Classical st. flamed Mahogany, ormolu, brass, and fossilized Soapstone commode. The two drawer chest is raised by square tapered l...
Category
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Soapstone, Brass, Ormolu
Pair of Neoclassical-Style Two-Drawer Raised Chests, Bleached w/Champagne Trim
Located in Atlanta, GA
A vintage pair of nicely inspired French neoclassical style raised chests, American made by furniture makers Auffray & Co (NYC). This pair of French style commodes...
Category
20th Century American Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Wood
18th Century Italian Walnut Neoclassical Inlaid Commode
Located in Dallas, TX
Handsome 18th century walnut neoclassical commode. Beautiful wood finish and nice inlaid pattern. Creates a very upscale look!
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Walnut
Near Pair French Neoclassic Mahogany & Marble Top Pedestal Cabinets, 2ndq 19thc
Located in Atlanta, GA
Each having a circular marble top above a conforming pedestal cabinet with one hinged door opening to reveal interior shelving (one with a marble shelf), the difference in the two be...
Category
1830s French Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century Italian Neoclassical Commode
Located in Dallas, TX
Superb quality early 19th century Italian neoclassical mahogany commode. The three long drawers having old bronze escutcheons and pulls ...
Category
1830s Italian Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Mahogany
A Fine Russian Neoclassical Commode or Nightstand or Bathroom Vanity
Located in Stamford, CT
One of a kind Russian neoclassical three-drawer commode or bedside stand. Finely cast bronze mounts. Having marble tops supported by three drawers of framed mahogany with center bur...
Category
Early 20th Century Russian Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Neoclassical commodes and chests of drawers for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Neoclassical commodes and chests of drawers for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage commodes and chests of drawers created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets, more furniture and collectibles, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Neoclassical commodes and chests of drawers made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and France pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original commodes and chests of drawers, popular names associated with this style include Modenese Gastone, Carpanese Home Italia, Maitland Smith, and Venfield. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for commodes and chests of drawers differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $550 and tops out at $175,000 while the average work can sell for $6,878.
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