Neoclassical Tables
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 American Neoclassical Tables
Mahogany
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Tables
Marble
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Tables
Mirror, Paint, Lacquer, Wood
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Tables
Giltwood
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Walnut, Burl
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Tables
Wrought Iron
20th Century Belgian Neoclassical Tables
Oak
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Tables
Iron
1930s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Mirror, Wood
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Tables
Oak
1940s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Brass, Gold Leaf
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Tables
Walnut
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Tables
Glass, Wood, Walnut
20th Century American Neoclassical Tables
Brass
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Brass
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Tables
Cherry, Ebony
1830s English Antique Neoclassical Tables
Marble
2010s Italian Neoclassical Tables
Metal
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Leather, Wood
20th Century Neoclassical Tables
Wrought Iron
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Tables
Cane, Fruitwood
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Tables
Wood, Paint
20th Century Neoclassical Tables
Marble
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Stone, Brass
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Tables
Metallic Thread
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Bronze, Iron
1820s American Antique Neoclassical Tables
Mahogany
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Tables
Marble, Ormolu
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Tables
Wood
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Tables
Giltwood
18th Century European Antique Neoclassical Tables
Iron
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Tables
Ebony, Rosewood, Satinwood
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Tables
Marble, Brass, Bronze, Stainless Steel, Nickel
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Tables
Marble, Brass
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Tables
Wood
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Wood
1810s Italian Antique Neoclassical Tables
Tin
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Tables
Carrara Marble
1820s French Antique Neoclassical Tables
Metal
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Tables
Mahogany
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Tables
Maple
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Tables
Bronze
Early 20th Century Russian Neoclassical Tables
Bronze
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Tables
Mahogany
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Tables
Brass
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Tables
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Tables
Marble, Carrara Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Tables
Wood
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Glass, Hardwood
20th Century American Neoclassical Tables
Walnut
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Tables
Bronze
18th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Tables
Marble, Bronze
20th Century Neoclassical Tables
Composition
20th Century French Neoclassical Tables
Brass
1980s Philippine Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Stone, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Tables
Iron
1990s Neoclassical Tables
Glass, Burl