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.
$1,840Sale Price|20% Off
Early 20th Century Ferguson Pedestal Base Tilt Top Table
Located in Pasadena, TX
This Ferguson tilt top dates to the early half of the 20th century. It's made of walnut. The top is a hand painted fabric. The top tilts for easy storage and decor. The table sits on...
Walnut
$15,750 / set
Pair of Louis XVI Painted Wood Jardinière Stands
Located in Kittery Point, ME
The circular container carved with pearls and rinceaux and supported by an inswept strung-piaster quadripartite stand with a central finial and hung with swags raised on a conforming...
Wood
Antique American Queen Style Cherry Birdcage Candle Stand
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Fine 19th Century Philadelphia type Tilt Candle Stand in glowing solid Cherry. The Table with particularly fine graining, elegantly turned support column, classic Birdcage support an...
Cherry
$1,040Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century Tilt top Tripod Base Walnut Candle Stand
Located in Pasadena, TX
This candle stand dates to the later half of the 19th century. It's made of walnut. The top is a nicely figured walnut. The top tilts for easy storage and decor. The table sits on a ...
Walnut
Pair of Swedish Neoclassical Giltwood and Painted Torchere
Located in Essex, MA
Each candle stand has a circular white marble top over a frieze with leaf tip, rosette and bead and reel carving, supported on three down-swept legs with conforming decoration joined...
Marble
Pair of Antique Swedish Neoclassical Late Empire Pedestals
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of antique Empire Neoclassical Swedish pedestals painted ebony with gold accents.
Wood
19th Century Louis XV Style Jardinière or Plant Stand
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Winter Park, FL
A late 19th century French Louis XV style Rococo bronze mounted jardinière, or planter, on a pedestal stand. Kingwood marquetry veneer. Decorated with two Sèvres hand painted porcela...
Bronze
Pair of 1920s French Cast Iron Jardinieres with Original Purple Paint
Located in Mt Kisco, NY
A pair of unique round cast iron jardinieres attributed to Deville & Cie of Charleville, France. The casting has a floral detail. There is drainage below for permanent planting.
Iron
Pair of English Carved Giltwood Torchère Stands or Pedestals
By James Moore
Located in London, GB
A good pair of candle stands in the manner of James Moore Constructed in well carved giltwood, rising from ‘S’ form tripartite scrolled feet, dressed with foliates, supporting lot...
Giltwood
$1,675 / set
H 32.29 in W 17.72 in D 17.72 in
Pair Of Antique French Faux Bois Wrought Iron & Wirework Plant Stand Jardinieres
Located in Bristol, GB
PAIR OF ANTIQUE PLANT STANDS Naturalistic wrought iron and wirework bases in the faux bois taste to emulate branches and twigs. Decorative wirework basket upper sections to hold po...
Metal, Wrought Iron, Wire
Antique French Gold Giltwood Neoclassical Style Stand
Located in London, GB
Antique French Gold Giltwood Neoclassical Style Stand French, Late 19th Century Height 34cm, width 70cm, depth 60cm Top diameter 40cm Expertly carved entirely from wood, this eleg...
Giltwood
$1,195
H 21.5 in W 20 in D 12 in
Ferguson Bros. Duncan Phyfe Style Mahogany Galleried Kidney Candle Stand
Located in Germantown, MD
A Mid Century Ferguson Bros. Duncan Phyfe regency Style Mahogany Galleried Kidney Form , , quadpad pedestal with brass cap paw feet Candle Stand Measures 20" in width x 12" in dept...
Brass
Georgian Inlaid Mahogany Hexagonal Top Candle Stand with Tripod Base
Located in San Francisco, CA
A charming English George III period inlaid mahogany tripod candle stand, the string inlaid hexagonal top supported on a turned column, terminating...
Mahogany
$1,560Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 42 in W 12 in D 12 in
Pair of Faux Painted Green and Gilt Neoclassical Pedestals
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of faux painted green and gilt neoclassical pedestals, each one with a 12-inch square marbleized top, on a tapering pedestal base with all-over incised and gilt decoration.
Wood, Giltwood
$2,450
H 27.25 in W 20 in D 19.5 in
Tilt-Top Tripod Pedestal Table/ Candlestand in Mahogany, North Shore, MA
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
In the style of Thomas Chippendale, a lovely American 18th century tilt-top table in mahogany that, historically, doubled as a candlestand. The square top is cut in curves at the cor...
Mahogany
$1,248Sale Price|50% Off
H 26 in Dm 21 in
Antique 18th Century Queen Anne Mahogany Candle Stand Pedestal Table Tripod Base
Located in Dayton, OH
A fine and impressive late 18th century candlestand. Made from mahogany with an oval form top over a baluster turned center support leading to a tripod base with cabriole and blocked...
Mahogany
Pair of Louis XVI Style Burl Pedestal Stands
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Classical poplar burl panel tapered pedestal, with a square top and a stepped plinth base. The original Louis XVI. Dimensions: 14" W x 14" D x 42" H.
Wood
Oval Verdigris Patinated Iron Glass Top Accent Table
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An oval verdigris patinated iron table with inset glass top, conjoined C-form stretchers and resting on four brass decorated legs with brass paw feet. Dimensions: 18 1/2" W x 13 1/4...
Brass, Iron
Vintage Neoclassical Occasional Table of Brass and Polished Steel
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Candlestand side table, of polished brass and steel, having a round top, raised on a trio of panther-headed, round legs, joined by a shelf stretcher with concave sides, ending in fee...
Brass, Stainless Steel
Sold
H 34 in W 17 in D 17 in
Figural Cast Bronze and Brass Tripodial Candle Stand Greeting Card Holder
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a stunning table with outstanding cast bronze figures in the tradition of the Greeks or Romans. The table is most likely for use as a greeting card stand, but can easily be u...
Brass, Bronze
Two Tiered Plant / Candle Stand by Flint & Horner Co. of New York
Located in Denton, TX
Two tiered candle stand that has two tables conjoined by one central leg that allows you to swivel the smaller table either underneath or out . "Flint & Horner advertised that its...
Mahogany
Pair of Neoclassic Column Form Pedestals
Located in Westwood, NJ
A pair of neoclassic style column-form pedestals with a reeded round top section, enclosing an interior with a single shelf and the lower squared section, fluted and also enclosing a...
Wood
French Painted Side Table, 19th Century Tricoteuse Table
Located in Doylestown, PA
This charming and delicate side table is traditionally known as a "knitter's (tricoteuse) table." It has a rounded tray top above small drawer over...
Wood
Diminutive Italian Glass Top Palm Tree Form End or Side Table or Candle-Stand
Located in Manhasset, NY
Diminutive Italian glass top palm tree form end or side table. This nicely carved and paint decorated side or end table is simply stunning and very swee...
Painted Candle Stand Accent Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Candle stand table, having a painted finish with natural wear, its round, molded top, on apron hand-painted with foliate sprays, raised on four splayed legs, each inset with beading,...
French Gilt Metal Side Table with Two-Tier Black Glass Shelves
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
A fine French gilt iron side table with two-tier inset black mirrored glass. Elegant gilt iron side table with curved iron legs and top decorative iron scrolls. Maison Jansen style made in France. Small side table...
Iron
Pair of Giltwood Urn Stands with Pink Marble Tops
Located in London, GB
Pair of giltwood urn stands with pink marble tops. Each decorated with bows and scrolling acanthus leaves, on paw feet.
Marble
Neoclassic Black Marble Pedestal
Located in Austin, TX
Vintage black marble pedestal with small white veins on top.
Marble