Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
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 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary French Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Beech
Late 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
18th Century Austrian Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1950s Vintage Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Late 20th Century French Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Limestone, Metal
18th Century Maltese Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Fruitwood, Walnut
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal, Brass
Early 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Fruitwood
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1790s German Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Brass
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Late 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Ormolu
20th Century French Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Brass
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
Late 18th Century German Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1760s North American Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
18th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Early 1800s German Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Late 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
2010s French Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Cherry, Oak
2010s French Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Cherry, Oak
Late 19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birdseye Maple, Cherry, Poplar, Pine
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Metal