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.
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Brass
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Iron
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Tables
Ormolu
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Tables
Iron
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Tables
Marble, Ormolu
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Tables
Wood
2010s Mexican Neoclassical Tables
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Tables
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Tables
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Tables
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Tables
Wood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Tables
Ormolu
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Tables
Marble, Ormolu
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Brass
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Tables
Ormolu
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Tables
Marble, Porphyry
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Tables
Marble
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Tables
Brass, Ormolu
1970s European Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Bronze, Steel
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Tables
Wool, Wood
18th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Neoclassical Tables
Wood
Early 1800s French Antique Neoclassical Tables
Brass
20th Century Neoclassical Tables
Glass, Plaster
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Tables
Wood, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Tables
Onyx
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Tables
Brass
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Tables
Marble
Late 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Tables
Walnut
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Tables
Burl
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Tables
Wood
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Iron
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Brass
Late 18th Century British Antique Neoclassical Tables
Marble
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Tables
Marble
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Tables
Stone, Bronze
1940s Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Marble, Iron
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Tables
Marble, Iron
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Tables
Mahogany
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Tables
Brass
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Tables
Marble, Metal
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Marble, Metal
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Tables
Walnut
1820s French Antique Neoclassical Tables
Walnut
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Tables
Wood
1990s American Neoclassical Tables
Wrought Iron
2010s American Neoclassical Tables
Metal
1760s Italian Antique Neoclassical Tables
Walnut, Pine
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Tables
Walnut
20th Century American Neoclassical Tables
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Tables
Stone
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Carrara Marble, Metal
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Marble, Brass
1810s Italian Antique Neoclassical Tables
Walnut
Early 2000s Philippine Neoclassical Tables
Walnut
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Brass
1990s American Neoclassical Tables
Mahogany
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Tables
Iron