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.
Maison Jansen Brass Coffee Table with Glass Top, Ram's Head Design
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Maison Jansen Hollywood Regency brass coffee table ram's head and hoof detailing. It has a rectangular glass top set in the brass frame. Maison Jansen was a prominent French Interior...
Brass
Brass Coffee Table with Carrara Marble Top by Maison Jansen
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice neoclassical style coffee table is made of brass and gilt metal with a Carrara marble top. This is a French work by famous designer Maison Jansen. Circa 1940
Carrara Marble, Brass
Holly Hunt Rue de Seine Limestone and Iron Cocktail Table 5 Ft
By HOLLY HUNT
Located in Rio Vista, CA
A refined Rue De Seine Cocktail Table designed by Holly Hunt measuring over 5 feet square. The bespoke table features a segmented 4-piece pale limestone top set within a hand-forged ...
Stone, Iron
Vintage Italian Round Walnut Burl Burr Side Table and Tripod Carved Legs
Located in Carimate, Como
Beautiful antique Italian solid walnut side table features a round beveled top with veneer wood burl decor standing on the central beautifully carved tripod legs. This Italian walnut...
Wood
Maison Jansen, Neoclassical Brass Coffee Table with Black Lacquered Glass Top
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This nice neoclassical style rectangular coffee table is made of brass with fluted legs and a stretcher on the bottom part. It has a black lacquered glass shelf on top with brass tri...
Brass
1960s Traditional Removable Tray Top Coffee/ Cocktail Table by Baker Furniture
Located in Opa Locka, FL
1960s Traditional style Walnut Removable Tray Top Coffee Cocktail Table by Baker Furniture. Stunning Coffee Cocktail Table. Presents beautifully with tray on and off.
Wood
Elegant Antique Neoclassical Mahogany Coffee Table with Gilt Bronze Gallery
Located in Miami, FL
Elegant antique neoclassical coffee table crafted from fine wood with an exquisite mahogany-toned finish. It stands out for its delicate gilt bronze details, including the decorative...
Bronze
Brass Rectangular Coffee Table in the Style of Maison Jansen, circa 1940
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This rectangular two tiers neoclassical style coffee table is made of brass with twoglass shelves. This is a French work in the style of Maison Jansen. Circa 1940.
Brass
Brass Round Coffee Table with Marble Top by Maison Ramsay
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This beautiful neoclassical style round coffee table is made of brass with a beautiful marble top. This is a French work by Maison Ramsay. Circa 1940
Marble, Brass
Diminutive French 1950's Maison Jansen Style Gilt Metal And Glass Coffee Table
Located in London, GB
A Diminutive French 1950's Gilt Metal And Glass Coffee Table In the manner of Maison Jansen. Frame in very good condition commensurate of age. Glass top with minor surface scratche...
Metal
Maison Jansen 2 tier Leather and Brass coffee Table
Located in Miami, FL
Maison Jansen 2 tier brass and leather coffee table
Brass
Bronze Coffee Table with Black Portor Marble Top in the style of Maison Jansen
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This coffee table is made of bronze with a black Portor marble top. This is a French work in the style of Maison Jansen. Circa 1940
Bronze
A NEOCLASSICAL SHABBY-CHIC Lacquer COFFEE TABLE by JEAN-CLAUDE MAHEY France 1970
Located in PARIS, FR
An elegant and luxurious rectangular coffee table, Post-Modernist, Shabby-Chic, base in black lacquered wood, thick square section top in burgundy red lacquered wood (deep and intens...
Brass
Mid Century French Neoclassical Brass and Glass Narrow Slim Coffee Table
Located in London, GB
Mid Century French Neoclassical Style Brass and Glass Narrow Coffee Table C.1950 In the manner of Maison Jansen In very good condition commensurate with age. Please message for an ...
Brass
Marble Tile Coffee Table
Located in Sheffield, MA
Mid-Century Modern Fortunoff stone / marble top and wrought iron coffee table. Heavy wrought iron base with legs resembling a swan motif. Natural stone top with a tile design and wit...
Abalone
Vintage Bronze Putti Mermen coffee table, 1960s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Fantastic Italian nautical cocktail table or coffee table featuring a pair of patinated bronze Putti Di Mare mermaids supporting a thick glass beveled glass. Nicely detailed sculptu...
Bronze
Brass Coffee table with Black Lacquered Glass Top in the style of Maison Jansen
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This nice and elegant rectangular coffee table is made of brass with a black lacquered glass top. This is a French work in the style of Maison Jansen. Circa 1940
Brass
Mid Century Drexel Fontanella Bookmatched Top Fruitwood Coffee Table
By Drexel
Located in Germantown, MD
Mid Century Drexel Fontanella Bookmatched Top Fruitwood Coffee Table, cocktail Table. Measures 50" in width, 20" in depth, 17" in height.
Cherry
Baker Furniture French Empire Mahogany Gueridon or Tea Table, Newly Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Empire or Neoclassical style gueridon, tea table, or occasional side table By Baker Furniture USA, Late 20th Century Mahogany, with original brass lion head dra...
Brass
Antique Italian Walnut Side Table
Located in Carimate, Como
Beautiful and very elegant antique Italian solid walnut side table features an beveled top with two drawers and brass handles standing on a central beautifully crafted leg and classi...
Brass
French Brass and Glass 3-Part Coffee Table
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a beautifully fabricated 3-part gilt bronze or brass coffee table. The main section of the table measures 18.5"h X 37.5"w X 19.75"d; the two smaller tables measure 17.5"h X 1...
Brass
French Mahogany Oval Cocktail Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
A French-style mahogany oval cocktail table, with a brass-bound top and under tier, the top fitted with four leather inset slides, on sabre legs. Dime...
Brass
Brass Coffee Table with Black Lacquered Glass Maison Jansen. Circa 1900
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This neoclassical style coffee table is made of brass with black lacquered glass top. This is a French work by Maison Jansen. Circa 1900
Brass
1940s Italian Sorrento Étagère Side Table Walnut, Burl Walnut veneer with inlay
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Nice étagère Sorrento of the period Art Deco, 1940 years of the 20th century. Top floor in burl walnut with floral inlay in maple, drawer, legs at columns, the lower floor and saber-...
Walnut, Maple, Burl
Jean Maurice Rothschild - Marble Coffee Table - Forged Iron Lounge Table-50s
Located in Bussiere Dunoise, Nouvel Aquitaine
Original "Jean Maurice Rothschild 1902-1998 Coffee Table" Hand hammered iron- marble coffee table Neoclassical Style from the 50s. Jean Maurice Rothschild 1902-1998 was an interior...
Marble, Composition, Wrought Iron, Metal
Elegant Gild Bronze" Palmiers" Table by Maison Charles, France , Circa1960.
Located in Brussels, BE
Elegant bronze tablel " Palmiers" model. Clear glass top. By Maison Charles- Paris-circa 1960.
Bronze
Mastercraft Faux Bamboo Brass & Glass Coffee Table
By Mastercraft
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This Mastercraft faux bamboo brass and glass coffee table embodies the timeless elegance and refined craftsmanship that has made Mastercraft a celebrated name in luxury furniture des...
Brass
Raymond Subes Brass and Marble Neoclassical Style Coffee Table
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice and elegant neoclassical style coffee table is made of bronze and brass with a black and gilt marble top. This is a French work by famous designer Raymond Subes. Circa...
Marble, Brass
Maison Jansen Black Lacquer, Bronze & Mirror Surtout de Table Coffee Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Maison Jansen Black Lacquer, Bronze & Mirror Surtout de Table Coffee Table France, Circa 1960s—Louis XVI Neoclassical Style A rare and exceptional Mai...
Bronze
Chrome Octogonal Coffee Table in the style of Maison Jansen
Located in Asbury Park, NJ
Wonderful oversized chrome coffee table in the style of Maison Jansen. This neoclassical style table has great faux bamboo style stretcher on the base.
Chrome
Brass Coffee Table with Clear Glass Top Surrounded with Black Lacquered Edges
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice rectangular coffee table is made of brass with a clear glass top surrounded by black lacquered edges. This is a French work by Maison Jansen. Circa 1940
Brass
Pace Collection Chrome & Clear Glass Rectangular Statement Coffee Table
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A Stylish Chrome & Clear Glass Rectangular Statement Coffee Table By The Pace Collection. The Pace Collection was a contemporary high-end furni...
Steel, Chrome
Michael Taylor Montecito Round Glass Coffee Table Outdoor Indoor Cocktail Table
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Michael Taylor Montecito Round Glass Coffee Table Outdoor Indoor Cocktail Table. Constructed from solid aluminum for outdoor use with a premiu...
Aluminum
Neoclassical Brass Table with a Glass and Mirror Top by Maison Jansen, France
Located in Brussels, BE
Elegant neoclassical brass table, glass top with an aged mirror border. By Maison Jansen France 1960.
Brass
Neoclassical Directoire Style Wrought Iron Granite Coffee Cocktail Table 50"
Located in Dayton, OH
Impressive late 20th century Neoclassical Directoire style coffee / cocktail table featuring a wrought iron base with a foliate leaf design, gold rosette medallions, and a large gran...
Granite, Iron
Mid Century Metal Framed Glass Topped Coffee Table
Located in New York, NY
Mid-Century Neoclassical-Style Coffee Table — A sleek rectangular coffee table featuring a metal frame with an antiqued brass finish, topped with a clear glass surface that showcases...
Brass
Minton Spidell Marble Coffee Table
Located in Essex, MA
With a rectangular marble top with specimen overall cube design.The base with square tapered legs.
Marble
Raymond Subes Style Marble Top Coffee Table
Located in Miami, FL
Raymond Subes Style Marble top coffee table .
Marble, Brass, Bronze
A NEOCLASSICAL POSTMODERN COFFEE TABLE by JEAN-MICHEL WILMOTTE France 1980
Located in PARIS, FR
An elegant and elegant rectangular coffee table, Post-Modernist, Neo-Antique, Neo-Classical, Memphis, with a geometric structure made of square-section metal tubes with a khaki patin...
Brass
French Maison Jansen Round Glass, Brass & Steel Coffee Table Neoclassical
Located in Miami, FL
French neoclassical Maison Jansen coffee table in Steel with Brass Details and round thick beveled glass top. The coffee table is in very good original condition. Glass measures: 27 ...
Steel, Brass
Horseheads and horseshoes Coffee Table by Maison Jansen
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice and elegant coffee table is made of black lacquered metal with brass horseheads, horseshoes and feet. This is a work by famous French designer Maison Jansen. Circa 1940
Metal, Brass
Round Brass Coffee Table by Maison Baguès
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This neoclassical style round coffee table. is made of brass with a stretcher and 4 elegant brass finials. This is a French work by famous Maison Baguès. Circa 1940.
Brass
Vintage Italian Neoclassical Style Steel Bronze Twisted Metal Oval Coffee Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Vintage Italian Neoclassical Style Steel and Bronze Twisted Metal Oval Coffee Table. ...
Bronze, Steel
A MINIMALIST POST-MODERN COFFEE TABLE by ALAIN RICHARD France 1970
Located in PARIS, FR
An elegant minimal and square rectangular coffee table, side table or night stand, Radical, Post-Modern, Architectural, black geometric structure made of square-section metal tubes, ...
Travertine, Metal
French Brass Base Coffee Table with Blush Marble Top, 1950s
Located in Chicago, IL
A 1950s French coffee table featuring a patinated brass base with scrolling legs and delicate foliate motifs along its stretcher. The intricate frame supports a rectangular marble to...
Marble, Brass
Baker Furniture French Empire Cherry and Burl Wood Tea Table, Circa 1960s
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Empire style tea table, occasional side table, or nightstand By Baker Furniture USA, Circa 1960s Cherry wood, with beautiful book-matched starburst top, burl woo...
Brass
Round Brass Coffee Table With Swan Heads & Feet & Marble Top by Maison Jansen
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice neoclassical style round coffee table is made of brass with swan heads and feet topped by a white marble top with greek keys brass incrustations. This is a French work...
Carrara Marble, Brass
Coffee Table Scagliola Polychromy by Guglielmus Blaeuni, from 1731
Located in Milano, IT
Scagliola Policromia coffee table from 1731 with the signature of the original Italian origin from Venice. The work is signed by the artist Giglielmo Blaeuni. At the center of the polychrome table we find an astrolabe. The astrolabe is an instrument that calculated the height of the sun but also had a dual purpose that of solving problems of spherical astronomy. On the sides of the astrolabe there are two cobalt blue circles containing other symbolic animals. To protect the work, the table is protected by glass. Scagliola is a type of fine plaster...
Steel
Vintage French Neoclassical Figural Bronze Merman Mermaid Glass Top Coffee Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Vintage French Neoclassical Style Figural Red Patinated Bronze "Merman/Mermaid" Glass...
Bronze
Plaza Athénée Bronze and Leather Coffee table by Laval Furniture
By LAVAL
Located in Miami, FL
This Table comes from the fabulous Parisian Palace Le Plaza Athénée ( see pictures)
Bronze
20th Century Marble top French Coffee Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
This exquisite 20th-century French coffee table is a stunning blend of opulent materials and elegant design, perfect for adding a touch of timeless sophistication to any interior. Th...
Marble, Brass
Rare Oval Brass Coffee Table with Carrara white Marble Top by Maison Jansen
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This rare neoclassical style oval coffee table is made of brass with a Carrara white marble top. This is a very nice and unusual model in this oval shape. This is a French work by Ma...
Brass
Early 20th Round coffee Table in Antique White with Handmade Painted flours
Located in Miami, FL
Early 20th Round coffee Table in Antique White with Handmade Painted flours
Wood
French Coffee Table Neoclassical bronze and marble
Located in Brussels, BE
Circular Coffee Table in Bronze and marble inlaid a brass star, Neoclassical louis XVI style. Attributed to Maison jansen, French made in 1940... in good and original condition.
Carrara Marble, Bronze
French Bronze, Iron And Églomisé Glass Coffee Table With Greek Key Frieze
Located in Norwood, NJ
French mid-20th century coffee table crafted with a sophisticated combination of cast bronze legs and a gilded iron Greek key frieze, topped with a hand-painted églomisé glass panel....
Bronze
Neo-Classical Style Custom Chestnut Burl & Maple Coffee Table W/ Storage
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a large scale neo-classical style custom coffee table. It is hand hewn from chestnut burl and maple with ebonized columns. The lid comes off revealing substantial storage. It...
Chestnut, Ebony, Maple
Leather and Brass Tusk Coffee Table by Maitland Smith
Located in Las Vegas, NV
This gorgeous, leather covered coffee table is an exemplary example of Classic Maitland-Smith craftsmanship. The coffee table is covered ...
Brass
Italian Neoclassical Style Curule Brass Slate Cocktail Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Opulent Italian mid-century modern coffee cocktail table made in the neoclassical style and manner of Maison Jansen. The table features a patinated brass metal trestle base with Grec...
Slate, Brass, Metal
Mid-Century Italian Neo-Classical Style Painted Coffee Table and Faux Marble Top
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a mid-century Italian neo-classical style painted coffee table with faux marble top. The edges are giltwood, while the base is both black and gilt. The top is a green toned f...
Poplar
Vintage Neoclassical Style Slate Top Hand Painted Coffee Table
Located in Hopewell, NJ
One of a kind eye catching neoclassical style coffee table having artist embellished painted slate top and simple black base. Signed by artist.
Slate