Neoclassical Desks
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-19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Desks
Brass
Early 20th Century European Neoclassical Desks
Brass
1810s Swedish Antique Neoclassical Desks
Wood
20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Desks
Brass
Mid-19th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Desks
Mahogany, Oak
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Desks
Brass
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Desks
Brass
20th Century American Neoclassical Desks
Maple
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Desks
Brass
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Desks
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Desks
Wood
Early 1800s Italian Antique Neoclassical Desks
Bronze
2010s French Neoclassical Desks
Leather, Wood, Cherry, Lacquer
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Desks
Brass
Late 18th Century Austrian Antique Neoclassical Desks
Walnut
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Desks
Brass
20th Century French Neoclassical Desks
Bronze
20th Century French Neoclassical Desks
Quartz, Brass, Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Desks
Leather, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Desks
Leather, Wood
18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Desks
Brass, Ormolu
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Desks
Walnut
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Desks
Ormolu
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Desks
Cherry
Early 20th Century Swedish Neoclassical Desks
Elm, Mahogany
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Desks
Wood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Desks
Leather, Birdseye Maple, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Desks
Gold
2010s American Neoclassical Desks
Acrylic, Mirror
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Desks
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Dutch Neoclassical Desks
Metal
1910s British Vintage Neoclassical Desks
Mahogany
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Desks
Rosewood
1970s Danish Vintage Neoclassical Desks
Brass
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Desks
Leather, Cherry
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Desks
Leather, Walnut
2010s American Neoclassical Desks
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Swedish Neoclassical Desks
Teak
1890s British Antique Neoclassical Desks
Walnut
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Desks
Brass
1960s Unknown Vintage Neoclassical Desks
Walnut
Early 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Desks
Wood, Oak
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Desks
Walnut
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Desks
Wood, Cherry
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Desks
Walnut
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Desks
Brass
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Desks
Oak
20th Century American Neoclassical Desks
Hardwood
20th Century French Neoclassical Desks
Macassar
1940s Vintage Neoclassical Desks
Brass
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Desks
Maple, Walnut, Fir
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Desks
Metal, Brass, Stainless Steel
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Desks
Brass