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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.

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Style: Neoclassical
Baltic Commode, Circa 1800
Located in New York, NY
This mahogany commode has the fluted rails and canted corners typical of case furniture made along the coasts of the Baltic and North Seas around 1800. More difficult to pinpoint, however, is the exact place of its making, since this geographical region stretches from Germany to Russia, and north from Poland to Scandinavia. That said, a strikingly similar, if slightly plainer commode in a private German collection bears an old paper label that identifies it as having been made in the city of Altona. It also bears the seal of King Christian VII of Denmark who reigned until 1808. At the time, Altona was in the independent Duchy of Schleswig-Holstein, located between Denmark and Prussia. Both nations tried to annex the Duchy, and in 1848 it was ceded to Prussia, which became part of Germany in 1871. A North Sea port, Altona was a member of the Hanseatic League, an association of seaports that was established in the 14th century to foster trade and police the high seas. Around 1800, the aforementioned King Christian of Denmark, who was also the Duke of Schleswig-Holstein, allowed Jews to freely settle in Altona to increase the tax base. This allowed them to conduct business in neighboring Hamburg, a larger financial hub that maintained quotas. The prosperous Jewish families of Altona built villas there, and decorated them with furnishings that were made locally and imported. Many of those makers owned copies of furniture-pattern books, which were widely disseminated among these seaports, accounting for the difficulty in determining if a piece was made in Altona, Stockholm, or St. Petersburg. We can’t trace our commode to a Danish king or a known Altona merchant, but we can link it to the New World empire builders...
Category

Early 1800s German Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Baltic Commode, Circa 1800
Baltic Commode, Circa 1800

Baltic Commode, Circa 1800

$20,000
18th Century Italian Small Marble Top Commode
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fine 18th Century Italian commode in excellent condition. French polish is in excellent condition.
Category

18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

18th Century Italian Small Marble Top Commode
18th Century Italian Small Marble Top Commode

18th Century Italian Small Marble Top Commode

$8,950
Italian Early 19th Century Neo-Classical St. Ormolu, Fruitwood Chest
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exquisite and extremely decorative Italian early 19th century Neo-Classical st. ormolu, Fruitwood, and ebonized Fruitwood inlaid chest and original matching mirror. The four-drawer chest in the manner of Giuseppe Maggiolini is raised by elegant square legs with fine mottled feet and decorated with lovely foliate inlays. At the center are three drawers each displaying a stunning and wonderfully executed array of intricately inlaid scrolled foliate designs of amphora, vessels, musical instruments, staffs, and roaring lions with ormolu keyhole escutcheons and flanked by striking columns with elegant ormolu top and bottom caps. The top drawer also displays a fine richly chased ormolu keyhole escutcheon with a tied berried laurel design set on additional stunning inlaid designs of charming cherubs...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Ormolu

Italian Early 19th Century Neo-Classical St. Ormolu, Fruitwood Chest
Italian Early 19th Century Neo-Classical St. Ormolu, Fruitwood Chest

Italian Early 19th Century Neo-Classical St. Ormolu, Fruitwood Chest

$58,500
Chic, 19th Century, Neoclassical Ebonized Commode
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand-carved and finished, Northern Italian, three-drawer Neoclassical commode with white, Carrara marble top above pilaster fore-legs trimmed in silver gilt. The whole embellished wi...
Category

Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Carrara Marble

Chic, 19th Century, Neoclassical Ebonized Commode
Chic, 19th Century, Neoclassical Ebonized Commode

Chic, 19th Century, Neoclassical Ebonized Commode

$9,500
Baltic 19th Century Empire Style Rosewood and Mahogany Buffet
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A very handsome Baltic-Continental mid-19th century neoclassical style walnut commode. The two-door and one-drawer commode is raised by square tapered legs ending with square ormolu ...
Category

19th Century Baltic Antique Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Ormolu

Baltic 19th Century Empire Style Rosewood and Mahogany Buffet
Baltic 19th Century Empire Style Rosewood and Mahogany Buffet

Baltic 19th Century Empire Style Rosewood and Mahogany Buffet

$28,500
Bespoke Solid Wood Chest of Drawers in Ivory Finish by Modenese Gastone
By Modenese Gastone
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Magnificent bespoke 7-drawers chest of drawers by Modenese Gastone Luxury Interiors, with lightly curved shape and handcarved achantus details. Each drawer features a Blumotion sof-c...
Category

2010s Italian Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf

Bespoke Solid Wood Chest of Drawers in Ivory Finish by Modenese Gastone
Bespoke Solid Wood Chest of Drawers in Ivory Finish by Modenese Gastone

Bespoke Solid Wood Chest of Drawers in Ivory Finish by Modenese Gastone

$10,832 / item
21st Century Classic Night Stand in Walnut Finish and Gold Leaf by Modenese
By Modenese Gastone
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Preciously designed squared classic night stand with three drawers by Modenese Gastone Interiors. The precious carvings in this night table make i...
Category

2010s Italian Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf

21st Century Classic Night Stand in Walnut Finish and Gold Leaf by Modenese
21st Century Classic Night Stand in Walnut Finish and Gold Leaf by Modenese

21st Century Classic Night Stand in Walnut Finish and Gold Leaf by Modenese

$3,783 / item

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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