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.
John Salterini Wrought Iron Dining Set, Oval Glass Top, 1940s, USA
Located in Stamford, CT
This is a spectacular rarely found John Salterini wrought iron dining set with an oval glass top table with two arm chairs and four side chairs. Unusual "tree of life" type decoratio...
Wrought Iron
Giacometti inspired wrought iron Bakers Rack
Located in Cumberland, RI
Giacometti inspired wrought iron Bakers Rack Available now and ready to ship. This piece is in excellent condition and has spent its decades...
Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron
$3,250Sale Price / set|35% Off
Italian Neoclassical Dining Room Set
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Table and six chairs set, burl maple veneer top and walnut base. Chairs reupholstered in original material from the period some of the upholste...
Burl, Wood
Ralph Lauren Oval Round Extending Farm Rustic Claw Feet Dining Set, 7 Pieces
By Ralph Lauren
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
The extremely rare Ralph Lauren dining set is statement piece which is also comfortable and packed with personality! Just look at the details a...
Wood
$2,800 / set
Elegant Neoclassical Dining Chairs
Located in Atlanta, GA
Elegant set of four neoclassical dining chairs, American, circa 1950s. They retain their original vibrant yellow ostrich print vinyl upholstery.
Upholstery, Wood
$2,997Sale Price / set|40% Off
H 31.75 in W 17.5 in D 20.75 in
Salterini Style Art Deco / Modern Gold Painted Gilt Metal Glass Top Dinette Set
By John Salterini, Russell Woodard
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Art Deco, Hollywood Regency and Mid-Century Modern design elements have combined to create what is arguably the most sublime patio dinette set ever. Gilt gold and black glam of this ...
Metal
1970s Mid Century Dining Room Set of 7
Located in North Hollywood, CA
1970s American Mid-Century Dining Set This 1970s dining set is a striking example of American mid-century design, combining timeless style with thoughtful functionality. The set fe...
Wood
$3,250
H 18.5 in W 48 in D 36 in
Diego Giacometti Style Sculptural Iron Coffee Table Mid Century Modern 48"x36"
Located in Atlanta, GA
Sculptural wrought iron coffee table, in the manner of Diego Giacometti, France, circa 1970s. While this is not an authorized work by Giacometti, it doesn't come with the $150,000 pr...
Iron
$1,895 / set
H 33 in W 28 in D 23 in
Midcentury Outdoor Dining Iron 8 Piece Set John Salterini Large Glass Top Table
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous 8 piece set consisting of a large dining table from the early 50s, heavy decorative iron with a large beveled glass top. 6 armchairs from the late...
Steel, Iron
$2,960 / set
H 29 in Dm 42 in
Vintage Woodard "Florentine" Wrought Iron and Marble Upholstered Dining Set
Located in Doylestown, PA
Woodard vintage midcentury black wrought iron and marble dining set with upholstered chairs. A shapely cone form pedestal with a lattice pattern on a circular base supports a new sc...
Marble, Wrought Iron
$4,500 / set
H 29.5 in W 104 in D 44 in
Mastercraft Burl and Brass Extendable Dining Table and Six Chairs
By Mastercraft, Charak Furniture Company, William Doezema
Located in Hanover, MA
Vintage 1960s dining table and six chairs designed by William Doezema for Mastercraft retailed by Charak of Boston. Briar root burl veneer although frequently identified as Amboyna. ...
Brass
Ralph Lauren Mahogany Plaid Sadler Cocktail Ottoman 4 Ft.
By Ralph Lauren, Theodore Alexander
Located in Rio Vista, CA
American classical mahogany coffee cocktail table or large ottoman designed by Ralph Lauren and produced by Theodore Alexander. The "Sadler" cocktail ottoman crafted on a large scale...
Brass
Wrought Iron Mid Century Garden Patio Set Five Pieces
Located in Newfoundland, PA
Five-piece wrought iron dining / patio set. One glass-topped table and four chairs. Painted green. Table measures: 42.5 in across.- 29-3/8 in high. - 29- 11/16 in high. With glass t...
Wrought Iron
Ralph Lauren Trestle Desk
By Ralph Lauren
Located in Evergreen, CO
Crafted from wood and finished with a light stain that enhances the wood's natural grain, this beautiful desk by Ralph Lauren Home features a plank top raised on wooden trestle legs....
Wood
$6,870
H 27.56 in Dm 14.57 in
Wrought Iron Gueridon - Tripod - Manner Jean-Michel Frank & Alberto Giacometti
By (after) Jean Michel Frank, Alberto Giacometti
Located in Hasselt, VLI
a handcrafted side table inspired by 19th-century smoker's tables. Handmade in Belgium by a master blacksmith, it is timeless and elegant, an ode to old craftsmanship, yet presented ...
Wrought Iron
$2,925
H 17.75 in W 35 in D 25 in
1970s Giacometti Style Forged Wrought Iron & Glass Rectangle Coffee Table
By Alberto and Diego Giacometti, Paul Ferrante
Located in St. Louis, MO
1970s style after Diego Giacometti , Etruscan glass top hand wrought iron coffee table, painted a dark copper / bronze finish with twisted steel supports and tree leaf motif. Coffe...
Metal, Wrought Iron
André Arbus Dining Room Set.
By André Arbus
Located in Paris, FR
André Arbus dining room set. Oak table in ebonized pearwood. 8 chairs and 2 armchairs with medallion backrest, conical front and saber back legs. Covered in Havana velvet. Table ...
Velvet, Ebony, Pearwood
Sold
H 36 in W 20.6 in D 15.5 in
Four French Lyre Back Iron Chairs with Brass Swan Heads and Feet and Table
Located in Stamford, CT
Set of four French wrought iron lyre back, brass swan head and feet folding chairs. These are in the style of Maison Jansen. The vintage round wrought iron, glass top table is 22.5" ...
Brass, Wrought Iron
Sold
H 30 in W 45 in D 36 in
Vintage Hitchcock Maple Drop Leaf Breakfast Table and Matching Side Chairs
By Hitchcock
Located in Westfield, MA
This charming vintage Hitchcock maple breakfast table with matching side chairs offers a perfect blend of traditional New England craftsmanship and timeless appeal. The drop-leaf tab...
Maple
Sold
H 36.75 in W 21 in D 25 in
Set of 8 Klismos Dining Chairs in the manner of Robsjohn Gibbings by Kreiss
By Kreiss, T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Atlanta, GA
Set of Eight Klismos Dining Chairs, in the manner of T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings, and made by Kreiss, circa 2000s. The seat cushions are currently being reupholstered and can be completed...
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage Neoclassical Style Cast Aluminum 5PC Outdoor Patio Dining Set
Located in West Hartford, CT
This elegant vintage cast aluminum dining set includes a glass top table and four matching cast aluminum armchairs. Table features arrow motif...
Aluminum
Set of Ten Black Lacquered French Neoclassical Styled Dining Chairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a fantastic set of ten (10) French Neoclassical dining chairs ready to be refinished and reupholstered or can be used in its c...
Brass
Antique Table with Two Armchairs and Two Chairs on Lion Feet
Located in Chorzów, PL
An antique table with chairs and armchairs from the turn of the century. At the moment it is possible to choose fabric for armchairs and chairs. dimensions: Table: 76 cm height...
Mahogany
Set of 19th Century Klismos Dining Chairs
Located in Atlanta, GA
Set of Four Late 19th Century Klismos Dining Chairs, probably Italian, circa late 1800s. They have a curvaceous form and look great from every ang...
Leather, Wood
Sold
H 35 in W 20.63 in D 22.75 in
Baker Furniture Palladian Collection Neoclassical Cherrywood Dining Set
Located in South Bend, IN
An outstanding neoclassical style extension dining table and chairs from the Palladian collection by Baker Furniture. Inspired by the neoclassic s...
Cherry
Sold
H 31.5 in W 78.35 in D 38.98 in
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Style Walnut Carved Dining Set 7 Pieces
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Impressive 20th century Italian neoclassical style walnut carved dining set 7 pieces: An table Six chairs Italian table in neoclassical style in w...
Walnut
Oval Dining Suite with Iron Leg Chairs and Banquette
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Bespoke dining suite featuring a large oval dining table and iron legs with a curule leg style motif. Four dining chairs and a dining bench or banquette upholstered with a stylish te...
Iron
Sold
H 36.62 in W 21.26 in D 116.15 in
20th Century Italian Neoclassic Style Wood Briar, Gilt, Marble Dining Room Set
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Refined and elegant dining room made in the first half of 1900 in perfect Empire style with details of neoclassical taste which perfectly reflects the canons of wealth and importance...
Marble
Tommi Parzinger Dining Table with Two Leaves by Charak Modern
Located in Manhasset, NY
Tommi Parzinger dining table with two leaves by Charak. Beautiful Tommi Parzinger for Charak extension dining table in flamed mahogany with a parquetry inlaid top and fluted brass ca...