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 Austrian Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Early 1800s German Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Siena Marble
Early 1800s German Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1820s American Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Paint
Mid-18th Century German Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
20th Century American Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Poplar
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
2010s Italian Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf
Late 18th Century Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Brass
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
20th Century Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Pine
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Carrara Marble
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Ormolu
1790s Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
2010s Italian Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf
2010s Italian Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf
2010s French Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Cherry, Oak
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1880s Russian Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Brass
2010s French Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Cherry, Oak
2010s Italian Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut, Olive
Late 18th Century Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
2010s French Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Cherry, Lacquer
Early 1800s Italian Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Brass
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Brass
Early 19th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Satinwood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
20th Century German Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany, Maple, Softwood
1760s North American Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany, Pine
1780s Italian Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Paint
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Late 18th Century European Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
1860s Italian Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Fruitwood
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Stone
16th Century British Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Glass, Mirror, Wood
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Early 1800s Swedish Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Maple, Olive, Walnut