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.
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
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
$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
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
$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
$11,979 / item
H 29.53 in W 118.12 in D 47.25 in
Customizable Monolithic Dining Table in Sea Blue Lacquer Finish
Located in New York, NY
This elegant and authentic dining table is distinguished by its unique design, where the legs resemble smoothed monoliths. It is available in two stunning versions: lacquered or wood...
Wood, Lacquer
$8,000
H 28 in W 77.75 in D 46.75 in
Restored Vintage Florence Knoll Oval Top Rosewood Dining or Conference Table
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in St. Louis, MO
Restored Mid-Century Modern vintage Florence Knoll oval top dining table / conference or desk in rare book matched rosewood veneer on chrome star...
Chrome
$5,000
H 28.5 in W 78.75 in D 42 in
Italian Post-Modern Polished Beige or Cream Marble Pedestal Dining Table C.I.M
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Made in Italy in the late 1970s or early 1980s, a simple design, but stunning in its large scale, warmth and functionality, a large pedestal base, cream or beige, marble dining table...
Marble
$54,150Sale Price|27% Off
H 28 in W 100.5 in D 55 in
Finn Juhl 'Judas' Rosewood and Sterling Silver Dining Table, c 1950s, Signed
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Exceptionally rare and sought after, this Finn Juhl for Niels Vodder 'Judas' dining table, 1950s Denmark, was professionally restored and features gorgeous Brazilian Rosewood with sterling silver inlaid medallions which assist in tableware placement and gives the table its infamous name. Signed underneath with Finn Juhl / Niels Vodder stamp which reads: "Niels Vodder Cabinetmaker Denmark Design Finn Juhl". The table is expandable, with a 22 inch leaf making the table just over 100" fully expanded. The Judas table...
Sterling Silver
$6,900
H 30 in W 98.5 in D 39.5 in
Antique French Country Dining Table Farmhouse Pedestal Trestle Honey Oak 1930s
Located in Tyler, TX
UNIQUE and BEAUTIFUL Antique French Country Honey Oak Farmhouse Dining Table with Trestle Base and Radial Ends~~c. 1930s-40s This table offers beauty and unique charm~~one of our mo...
Oak
Midcentury Italian Organic Modern Rattan Pedestal Dining Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Fantastic Mid-Century Modern Italian double pedestal dining table crafted from split reed rattan. The organic modern design features are demilune or "C" shaped pedestal forms topped ...
Bamboo, Rattan, Glass, Wood
$2,240Sale Price|20% Off
H 28.25 in W 108 in D 35.25 in
Aluminum Base Parsons Dining Table with Black Formica Leaves
Located in New York, NY
Nice quality aluminum base parsons table, with plate glass top, and two black formica refractory style leaves. The table measures 65"- L without the leaves, each leaf is 24"- L. The table frame is 2.5" W. Table suitable for use as a dining table, or a receptionist desk...
Aluminum
$5,520Sale Price|20% Off
H 28.5 in W 75.5 in D 42 in
Dunbar Wormley Dining Table in Rosewood Model 936 C 1960's
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
Stunning rosewood dining table designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture. The table features a rich and vibrant rosewood veneer top on an architectural pedestal base, with original metal disk...
Rosewood
$7,800
H 29 in W 79 in D 40 in
Single Pedestal Rectangle Travertine "Live" Edge Dining Conference Table Italy
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Italian Mid-Century Modern single pedestal rectangle travertine "Live" edge dining conference table Made in Italy.
Travertine, Marble
Modernist Dining Table, Reclaimed Elm Top on Ebonized Steel Base
By Brendan Bass
Located in Dallas, TX
Modernist dining table made from reclaimed elm on an ebonized steel base Piece from the Le Monde collection. Exclusive to Brendan Bass.
Metal
$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
Sold
H 29.75 in W 98.5 in D 47.25 in
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
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 Barbara Barry, Baker Furniture Company
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