Neoclassical Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
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.
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Marble
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Glass, Satinwood
Early 1900s American Antique Neoclassical Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Glass, Wood
1790s Italian Antique Neoclassical Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Walnut
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Brass
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Granite
Mid-19th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Mahogany, Oak
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Fruitwood, Olive
Early 1800s German Antique Neoclassical Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Wood
Early 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Wood
1850s French Antique Neoclassical Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Chestnut, Walnut
1790s Italian Antique Neoclassical Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Fruitwood, Walnut, Palmwood
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Gold, Brass
20th Century French Neoclassical Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Malachite, Ormolu
1870s French Antique Neoclassical Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Marble, Bronze
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Glass, Cherry
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Wood
Late 18th Century German Antique Neoclassical Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Walnut
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Metal
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Brass
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Brass
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Birdseye Maple, Cherry, Poplar, Pine
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Wood
1790s English Antique Neoclassical Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Mahogany
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Leather, Glass, Wood, Boxwood, Oak, Satinwood
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Cedar, Pine, Paint
20th Century American Neoclassical Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Fruitwood
18th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Bronze
1930s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Brass
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Textile, Wood, Walnut, Pine, Paper
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Mahogany
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Wood
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Mahogany
20th Century American Neoclassical Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Brass
1770s Italian Antique Neoclassical Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Walnut
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Brass
1810s Italian Antique Neoclassical Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Fruitwood
18th Century German Antique Neoclassical Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Wood, Walnut
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Walnut
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Brass
20th Century American Neoclassical Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Brass
1970s Vintage Neoclassical Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Brass
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Wood
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Wood
1880s Swedish Antique Neoclassical Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Marble, Brass
1940s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Brass
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Steel
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Walnut
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Hardwood
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Satinwood, Walnut
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Marble
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Cherry
20th Century Neoclassical Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Leather, Wood
1780s German Antique Neoclassical Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Brass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Wood
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Wood
Late 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Maple
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Wood
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Brass