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.
Rectangular Walnut Plank Top Metal Base Dining Table
Located in Sheffield, MA
Elegant and rustic at the same time, this wrought iron dining table base with walnut top can be used a dining table, a desk, or a confer...
Iron
Wood Dining Table on Wood Carved Pedestal Base Shown in Walnut Natural Finish
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Vernon dining table shown with a wood top and carved wood base can be customized to your specifications - can be made as coffee table as well as having an oval top. Hand carved i...
Walnut
Wood dining table with solid top and cylindrical base with special cut details
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Macon dining table shown in walnut wood with a solid top and special angled edge on top. The base is carved with special cut details to reveal an inside smaller base that can be ...
Walnut
Mid-Century French Iron and Marble Conference Table with Leaf Supports
Located in Dallas, TX
Elevate your conference or dining space with this striking antique French table, crafted circa 1960. The substantial rectangular top is carved from richly veined rouge marble, displa...
Marble, Iron
$10,000 / item
Walnut Wood Dining Table with Round Wood Base and Posts
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Fulton dining table is the elder to our Benson coffee table - round top with carefully selected wood grain to feature the beauty of the species...
Walnut
Wood Pedestal Dining Table with Carved Base and Wood Top with Carved Edge
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Harmon dining table is an elegant and styled piece - it can be used in both a dining room or conference room. Wood top and base with Classic detailing and smartly finished in nat...
Oak
Two Part Rosewood Two Pedestals Dining Table Game Table Mint
By Baker Furniture Company, Charak Furniture Company
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Two part rosewood two pedestals dining table game table mint. Dining table consisting of two came cafe tables that look together to form one dining table and can be used separately....
Rosewood
$17,800 / item
H 30 in W 40 in D 96 in
Live Edge Walnut Table Hand Cast Black Steel Pedestal Base by Alabama Sawyer
Located in Birmingham, AL
Our Live Edge Walnut Table features the beautiful "live edge" curving contour of a tree's natural profile. Each slab will be different. Shown an...
Iron
$6,918
H 28.35 in W 79.93 in D 41.74 in
Vintage Mid Century Modern Herman Miller No1 Eames Conference Table
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer this super rare and highly collectable, original, Mid Century Modern, Herman Miller No1 Edition conference table, which were purchased by the original owner...
Chrome
$2,200
H 27 in Dm 54 in
Mid Century Dining Conference Table with Round Solid Walnut Top on Chrome Base
By Ward Bennett, Knoll
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional dining, or conference table, having a thick solid walnut top, which is supported by a bright chrome pedestal base with four chrome legs which radiate from the center pole...
Chrome
Custom English Walnut Double Pedestal Dining Table
Located in Woodbury, CT
Custom made, English walnut double pedestal dining table. This richly finished table features a handsomely figured English walnut top bordered i...
Walnut, Burl, Ebony
$2,495
H 28.5 in W 71.5 in D 29.5 in
MCM Eames for Herman Miller Segmented Taupe Base Table Rectangular Top
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Topeka, KS
Gorgeous Eames for Herman Miller segmented base table with taupe base and table edge, rectangular natural oak wood veneer top, and aluminum spi...
Aluminum, Steel
$6,500
H 28.75 in W 83 in D 45 in
Post Modern Italian Oval Top Pedestal Base Crystal Alabaster Marble Dining Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A rare marble table made of Alabaster-Crystal, with a thick, very durable and perfectly polished resign coating on the top and base. This large and super cool table easily seats 8 to...
Alabaster, Marble
$2,816
H 28.75 in W 66.93 in D 39.38 in
Scandinavian Midcentury Walnut and Chrome Dining Table with 2 Extension Leafs
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
The super-ellipse table with top in walnut with chrome-plated spring steel legs. Double 50 cm extension leafs. ( 170/270 x 100 x 73 cm).
Chrome
$7,500 / item
H 30 in W 84 in D 36 in
Bookmatched Walnut Dining Table with Black Steel Legs "Lafayette Dining Table"
By Anton Maka
Located in Shelby Twp, MI
The Lafayette dining table is made of a book-matched claro walnut top with a blackened steel base with walnut inserts. This piece has been finished in an extremely durable matte conv...
Steel
Vintage Modern Double Pedestal Dining Table with Rectangular Glass Top
Located in Topeka, KS
Gorgeous vintage Modern double pedestal rectangular glass top dining table comprised of speckled solid surface material square c...
Glass, Corian
$20,410 / item
H 30.5 in W 120 in D 46 in
Dos Gallos Custom Walnut Wood Table with Decorative Base and Stretcher
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Custom 10' walnut dining table with carved trestle. Based on an antique Spanish monastery table. Large 24 inch overhang on each side created am...
Oak, Walnut
$11,038 / item
H 29.53 in W 47.25 in D 122.05 in
Modern by Giuseppe Carpanelli Desyo Dining Table Walnut Wood with Leather
By Carpanelli
Located in Desio, IT
Fixed oval top. The base can be covered in eco-leather, eco-nabuk, real leather or real nabuk. The top is enriched by sunburst inlays in essence of Canaletto Walnut wood. This piece ...
Leather, Walnut
Burl Walnut Three Extension Boards Single Pedestal Round Dining Table
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Burl Walnut three extension boards single pedestal round dining table three (3) table leaves measure 21 inches across.
Mahogany
French Neoclassical Style Large Mahogany Dining Table, 20th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
Of sizable depth and length, the table and 6 leaves all having full aprons, raised on square tapering legs ending in original brass casters, width of leaves are four at 19.5" and two...
Mahogany
Large Mahogany Library or Dining Table, 1940s, Danish
Located in London, GB
A 1940s Danish mahogany library table with leather insert would be most appropriate used today as a large desk or dining table. This substantial neoclassical table is an example of Danish cabinetmakers adopting the British aesthetic...
Leather, Mahogany
Barbara Barry for Baker Neoclassical Mahogany Extending Dining Table
By Baker Furniture Company, Barbara Barry
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Imposing Barbara Barry collection for Baker Furniture modern neoclassical style extending dining table. Crafted from mahogany featuring an oval top that measures 68 inches wide close...
Metal
1880s University of Prague Wooden Library Table
Located in High Point, NC
This regal wooden table originates from the University of Prague’s museum. A unique library table extending its superb frame along twenty feet, standing firm on Louis XVI inspired ta...
Oak
Sold
H 30.5 in W 42 in D 59 in
Antique Early 20th Century Rectangular Walnut Extendable Dining Room Table
Located in Dayton, OH
An early 20th century extendable dining table. Rectangular with cut corners, chamfered and fluted termintating to rams tongue and a hidden leaf for extension. Made from American Waln...
Walnut
Sold
H 32.68 in W 76.38 in D 25.99 in
Neoclassical Expandable Dining Table, Solid Cherry, Chestnut, France circa 1820
Located in Regensburg, DE
Beautiful, big and straight-lined biedermeier / Neoclassical / french restoration Expandable Dining room table in solid cherry wood and chestnut, from Bretagne, France about 1820. ...
Felt, Chestnut, Oak, Cherry
Sold
H 29 in W 67.75 in D 44 in
Kittinger Antique Duncan Phyfe Style Banded Mahogany Dining Table Claw Feet
By Kittinger Furniture Company
Located in Dayton, OH
Kittinger antique Duncan Phyfe style banded mahogany dining table claw feet 68" A graceful Duncan Phyfe table by Kittinger out of Buffalo, New Yo...
Mahogany
Vintage Large Oval Conference or Center Table in Oak
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage oval oak table with ten legs and ten drawers. Top has inlaid basketweave motif made from solid pieces of oak, not veneer. Recently finished in a...
Oak
12FT 1900 Royal Dutch Antique Oak Table
Located in Pasadena, TX
Baroque style 12 Ft. Royal Dutch/Shell Group Roxana Petroleum Corporation oak conference table. This magnificent table is constructed from solid oak and features three hand carved oak pedestal legs with intricate motifs and scroll work. Dark walnut stain. The Royal Dutch/Shell Group began selling gasoline imported from Sumatra in the United States in 1912, to capitalize on the growth of the country's automobile industry and to compete with the Standard Oil Company. Starting with the formation of the Seattle-based American Gasoline Company, Royal Dutch/Shell Group also founded Roxana Petroleum Company in 1912 in Oklahoma to locate and produce crude oil...
Oak
Sold
H 30 in W 84 in D 53 in
Neoclassical Parcel-Gilt and Paint Decorated Dining Table with Ebony Finish Top
Located in Stamford, CT
Neoclassical parcel-gilt and paint decorated dining table with ebony finished top. This table has one 16 inch width leaf with a full matching carved apron. The tabletop itself has be...
Wood
19th Century Tiger Maple Farm Table by Leonards, New England
Located in Stamford, CT
19th century solid maple rustic farm table by Leonards Sackonk, New England. This stunning custom quality by Leonards Farm Dining Table is one of a kind. The table legs all have custom made lifts for higher sitting if warranted. This table purchase directly from Leonards has originally cost the consignor $18,000 Leonards New England...
Wood
Italian Walnut Trestle Table with X Leg Base
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Bespoke Italian walnut trestle dining table featuring x legs or x-base frame supports. Large conference size table supported by elegant and graceful x legs conjoined with a stretcher...
Copper