Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
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
Vintage Neoclassical Style Horn Mosaic Cigar Box by Enrique Garcel, Colombia
Located in Atlanta, GA
This refined cigar box is the work of Enrique Garcel, a Colombian maker known for producing meticulously handcrafted decorative objects distinguished by their use of natural horn arr...
Category
Mid-20th Century Colombian Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Materials
Horn
Italian Neoclassic Walnut Miniature Commode
Located in Essex, MA
Rectangular top with diamond inlay over three drawers with similar inlay, slight cabriole legs.
Category
1790s Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Materials
Walnut
Neoclassical Octagonal Green Guilloche
Ormolu Box, after Faberge
By Fabergé
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Neoclassical octagonal green Guilloche & Ormolu box, after Faberge
A fine late 20th century example, intricate, well executed example, with presentati...
Category
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Materials
Ormolu
$1,196 Sale Price
20% Off
French 19th Century Neo-Classical St. Ormolu And Crystal Box
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and finely detailed French 19th century Neo-Classical st. Ormolu and Crystal box. This beautiful Crystal box displays a wonderful thick Crystal body with lattice designed ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Materials
Crystal, Ormolu
19th Century Italian Voting Box Tuscan Confraternity Carved Barrel Ballot Box
Located in Milano, MI
19th century Italian Confraternity Voting Urn of Tuscan origin realized with turned and carved poplar wood. The barrel-shaped central body, in which hands were inserted to insert the ballot ball into one of the two holes connected to the small drawer below, where on the front we find the inscription YES and NO related to voting, SI and NO, in order to distinguish for and against votes on paper, then collected in two separate small drawers, just below. Standing on four curly feet, it has a beautiful curved handle and carved parts at both ends, highlighted by ebonized details.
In a fraternity, this ballot box was used to collegially adjudicate community choices. In good age related condition, with sogns of wear and use. This antique Italian ballot wooden box, carved and painted, coming from Tuscany, in Central Italy. This ballot urn is an excellent example of a 19th century wooden voting box...
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Materials
Poplar
Decorative Gilt Bronze and Enamel Box for Ovington Brothers New York / France
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Decorative Gilt Bronze and Enamel Box
Retailed by Ovington Brothers New York
Important from France
Marked: New York, Chicago, France on Interior of Lid.
Dated pre 1896 as Ovington Br...
Category
1890s French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Materials
Bronze, Enamel
Antique C.F. Blanke Tea and Coffee Company Exposition Brand Green Tin Coffee Bin
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique C.F. Blanke Tea and Coffee Company Exposition Brand Green Tin Coffee Bin
This antique forest green coffee bin with a slanted lid opening has an exterior reading: "Blankes Ex...
Category
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Materials
Metal
Vintage French Bakelite Box with Coat of Arms
Dore Bronze Details
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage French Bakelite box. Coat of arms on top says " they shall not pass".
Sides are adorned with a Dore bronze wreath. The box is raised on chased Dore bronze feet.
Category
20th Century French Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Materials
Bakelite
Box Pedestal Column Neoclassical Style
Located in New York, NY
A pedestal column box in the neoclassical style, circa early to mid-20th century, USA. Piece is a rich dark brown wood with an octagonal base and fluted pillar. Box opens to an insid...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood
18th Century Italian Florentine Silver-leaf Polylobed Engraved Box
Located in Milano, MI
Italian antique silvered Florentine box, polylobed box from the end of the 1700s made of bent and curved wood to obtain a four-pointed polylobe. The ori...
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Materials
Walnut
German Neoclassical Painted Lacquer Snuff Box, Early 19th Century
By Stobwasser
Located in Spencertown, NY
German neoclassical round snuff box with ancient Roman scene.
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Materials
Lacquer
18th Century Italian Florentine Giltwood Engraved Box
Located in Milano, MI
Italian antique gilded Florentine box, octagonal shape realized in white walnut, engraved on each side and the top and with bulin scrolling decor...
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Materials
Walnut
George Reevers, Dutch .934 Silver Biscuit Box, Rope Borders, Holland, C.1838
Located in Chatham, ON
GEORGE REEVERS (Maker - Silversmith) - Extraordinary and rare Dutch fine silver round biscuit box - 934/1000 silver - finest quality and timeless design (nearly 200 years old) - classic rope twist borders (two to the top and one to the base) - indent to the edge of the hinged lid for easy opening and grip - original green wool felt base liner (not photographed...
Category
1830s Dutch Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Materials
Sterling Silver
Scatola Fiorentina Legno Inciso e Dorato Decorata con Uccellino 1780s Ottagonale
Located in Milano, MI
Originale scatola Italiana in legno laccato ed inciso a bulino di forma ottagonale di epoca Settecentesca, in discreto stato conservativo. Questo tipo di scatole solitamente apparten...
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Materials
Walnut
Early 1900s French Neoclassical Oval Brass Jewellery Box with Agate Moth Decor
Located in Haarlem, NL
Very pretty and heavy early 1900s Neo-Classical oval brass jewellery box with 2 moth decorations carved in agate.
The figures on the (I think machine made repoussé) side look like from Roman times.
The middle-eastern little tent shaped lid feels very Moorish, also the round glass 'gem stone' decorations look like the decoration on antique Moorish jewellery...
Category
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Materials
Agate, Brass
$1,000 Sale Price
20% Off
Empire Revival Leather and Brass Decorative Box, Italy 1950s
Located in Atlanta, GA
This stunning 1950s Italian decorative lidded box showcases an Empire Revival Neoclassical flair. The tall, rectangular shape boasts a classic modernist design, featuring gilded bras...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
A Rosso Antico Marble Model of the Sarcophagus from the Tomb of the Scipios
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Large Rosso Antico Marble Model of the Sarcophagus from the Tomb of the Scipios. Attributed To The Workshop Of Benedetto Boschetti.
The lid with palm-scrolled ends, is inscribed ...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Materials
Marble
Italian Tortoiseshell
Enamel Dresser Box
Located in Bradenton, FL
Late 19th / early 20th Century Italian trinket/dresser box. Box features embossed brass frame with tortoiseshell panels. Hinged lid with inset outdoor...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass, Enamel
Antique bronze gilded jewelry box with angels and Blood Jasper plaques .
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Just beautiful metal/brass jewelry box with bronze angels and Dragon's Blood Jasper mounted plaques .
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Hollywood Regency Style Square Tissue Box
Located in Sheffield, MA
Add a touch of glamour to your countertop, nightstand, bath or powder room with a gold gilt edge, Swedish grey finish square tissue box cover for added protection for your facial ti...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Materials
Metal
Neoclassical Style Metal Tissue Box Cover
Located in Sheffield, MA
Add style and the finishing touch to your countertop or nightstand with this antiqued gold toned top and grey ribbed metal body tissue box cover to pr...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Materials
Metal
$450 / item
Grouping of 3 French and English Porcelain boxes
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a charming grouping of three early 20th century dressing table boxes or table decorations. Two of the boxes are hand painted, Fren...
Category
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Materials
Porcelain
Vintage Neoclassical Style Metal Lidded Urn
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Silver tone metal with brass tone coating. With twin swan form handles and a lid with twin goose form finial.
8" Diam. x 11 1/2" H
Condition: Some wear to the brass tone finish on...
Category
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Materials
Metal
French School 1790 Louis XVI Oval Snuff Box in 18kt Gold with Miniature Portrait
Located in Miami, FL
Presentation Snuff box from the 18th century French School.
A very important and rare Neoclassical oval box, made in Paris, France circa 1790. It was crafted with translucent natu...
Category
1790s French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Materials
Gold
Sevres Porcelain Box
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Sevres porcelain box
octagonal format
Hand painted and signed on its base
perfect condition
Origin France Circa 1900
its mount is gilded bronze.
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Materials
Bronze
$1,520 Sale Price
20% Off
Wooden Casket Box with Mirror mid 19th century Flame Mahogany Biedermeier
Located in Sweden, SE
This exquisite flame mahogany veneered casket, originating from Central Europe mid 19th century, is a stunning example of Neoclassical applied arts. Its original shape and high quali...
Category
Early 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Brandt Furniture Co. Inlaid Mahogany 4 Bottle Decanter Spirit Box
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Brandt Furniture Co. Inlaid Mahogany 4 Bottle Decanter Spirit Box
This Brandt Furniture Co. decanter box has a beautiful four bottle ...
Category
1930s American Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Materials
Velvet, Mahogany
Shepherd Box, Carved Horn or Antler, Spain, 1822
Located in Madrid, ES
Shepherd box. Carved horn. Spain, 1822.
Rectangular box made of carved horn that has a date (1822) engraved on the lid and front, a legend (Soi de Manuel Zulueta year 1822) and an...
Category
1820s Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Materials
Other
Box Tobacco Swedish, 19th Century Stone Sweden
Located in New York, NY
A tobacco box made during the 18th-19th century in Sweden. From gray lime stone in a temple shape. Neoclassical.
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Materials
Stone
Silver Box, 19th-20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
With hallmarks.
Three-lobed flat-top box made of silver in its color decorated on the edge and lid with elements on chopped luster. The upper part presents a scene framed by scallop...
Category
Early 20th Century European Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Materials
Silver
Silver Heart-Shaped Spice Box, Lopez Portero, Manuel, Spain, Granada, 1870
Located in Madrid, ES
Heart-shaped spice. Silver. LOPEZ PORTER, Manuel. Spain, Granada, 1870.
With contrasting and burilada marks.
Silver spice rack in its color with a heart shaped shape and curved spout to one side that has two hinged lids and three spaces inside (partition above and not below); It is supported by three legs decorated with classicist elements and has, towards the side, a series of fine smooth moldings. The hallmarks are those corresponding to Granada, to date, and to the silversmith Manuel López Portero, who also worked as hallmarks in the city. The shape of the piece does not follow the usual prototypes of the time or of the school to which it corresponds (a heart shaped silver box...
Category
1870s Spanish Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Materials
Silver
Silver 800 and Enamel Music Box Signed Fallaci Firenze, Italy, circa 1930
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Silver 800 and enamel music box signed Fallaci Firenze. Italy, circa 1930.
Marked silver 800.
Machine signed "Thorens Switzerland".
Category
1930s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Materials
Silver, Enamel
Porcelain and Glass Oval Box, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Small oval box with etched glass base and lid hinge closure made, the latter combining enamel and metal. The bottom has a bucolic landscape with a series of h...
Category
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Materials
Porcelain, Glass
Neoclassical decorative boxes for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Neoclassical decorative boxes 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 decorative boxes created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, more furniture and collectibles, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Neoclassical decorative boxes made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original decorative boxes, popular names associated with this style include Wedgwood, Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres, Hermès, and Spanish Manufactory. 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 decorative boxes differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $65 and tops out at $117,686 while the average work can sell for $1,023.
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