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.
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
Italian Neoclassical Dining Room Table & Chairs Set
Located in Perkasie, PA
Italian Neoclassical Dining Room Table & Chairs Set – Item L72855 This elegant Italian dining set combines the refined symmetry of Neoclassical design with a beautifully decorative ...
Wood
$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
Italian 11 Piece Neoclassical Dining Room Table & Chairs Set
Located in Perkasie, PA
Italian 11-Piece Neoclassical Dining Room Table & Chairs Set – Items L72995/96 Exceptional Italian 11-piece Neoclassical dining room set, approximately 30 years old, featuring a...
Wood
$34,401 / set
Louise Dining Set, Brass Metal Clad Table Chairs
By Stephanie Odegard Collection, Paul Mathieu (French)
Located in New York, NY
A Brass metal-clad dining set that comprises a Brass-clad dining table and four matching chairs, each hand-applied in Brass over wood. The piece presents a complete Brass-clad dining...
Brass, Sheet Metal
Neoclassical Dining Table and 8 Chairs From Mastercraft
By Mastercraft
Located in North Canton, OH
This set would be virtually impossible to replicate. Gorgeous original Patina in extremely fine condition. One 37" filler has a slightly darker patina from lack of use. Pls refer to ...
Elm
$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
Lovely Dining Set, Four Chairs and a Dining Room Table
Located in New York, NY
This set includes a dining room table that includes an attachment. The table is approximately 53 inches long, but the extension adds 16 inches, making it nearly 70 inches in length. ...
Wood
$1,350Sale Price / set|40% Off
H 30 in W 45 in D 30 in
Midcentury Steelcase Tanker Dining Table and Chairs Set
By Steelcase
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Midcentury steel Tanker dining table and chairs set features a table and four chairs made by Steelcase. Table: 30" tall X 30" Wide X 45" Dee...
Steel
$6,484 / set
H 31.75 in W 84.5 in D 45.5 in
Chinese Hard Wood Dining Table & Eight Matching Chairs all with Stylized Carving
Located in London, GB
A super quality Chinese hardwood dining table, with eight matching chairs including two armchairs. The dining table with a wipeable rice impregna...
Teak
Ralph Lauren Hither Hills Round Oak Extending Dining Table
By Ralph Lauren
Located in Rio Vista, CA
A handsome round oak "Hither Hills" extending dining table made by Ralph Lauren. The Palladian style table features a broad circular top raised on a grouping of four reeded neoclassi...
Brass
Knoll Marble Dining Table With 5 Chairs by Eero Saarinen, 1960s
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Magnificent and fully original Tulip dining set designed by Eero Saarinen. It is produced by Knoll International in the 1960s. The set consists of 5 original tulip chairs and the o...
Carrara Marble, Metal
$43,448 / set
H 30.71 in W 18.5 in D 22.05 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa Africa Dining Room Set for Maxalto, 4 Chairs and Table, 1976
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto
Located in Vicenza, IT
A dining set composed of four “Africa” dining chairs and an “Artona” table, designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto in 1975. Made of walnut, burl...
Brass
$5,800 / set
H 42.5 in W 21.5 in D 21 in
Set of Eight French Dining Chairs Purchased from Ralph Lauren
Located in Atlanta, GA
Set of eight French dining chairs, originally purchased from Ralph Lauren, NYC, when they were selling antiques in the early 2000s. The chai...
Upholstery, Wood
$5,000
H 30 in Dm 60 in
Ralph Lauren Geometric Modern Round Ash Lauren Studio Dining Breakfast Table 68"
By Ralph Lauren
Located in Dayton, OH
Ralph Lauren Lauren Studio Table Features a round ash top over a geometric modernist base. Great for use in a game room or dining / breakfast nook. Includes Glass top. Dimensio...
Ash
$4,813 / set
H 28.15 in Dm 51.19 in
Dining Room Set with Table and Four Chairs by Giotto Stoppino, Italy 1970s
Located in Hellouw, NL
Very nice dining room set by Giotto Stoppino from the 1970s in Italy. This set consists of a dining table and four matching dining room chairs. The table has a tubular, chrome-plated...
Metal, Chrome
Ralph Lauren Black Lacquer and Chrome Hudson Dining Table
By Ralph Lauren
Located in Rio Vista, CA
A striking signed Ralph Lauren rectangular dining table featuring a thick black lacquered mahogany top set on a tubular steel trestle base polished with a dramatic chrome like finish...
Stainless Steel, Steel
$3,715 / set
H 37.8 in W 18.12 in D 20.48 in
MCM Rattan / Cane Dining Table & 6 x Chippendale Style Chairs, Angraves 1970s
Located in Richmond, Surrey
Mid Cent Rattan / Cane Dining Table & 6 x Chippendale Style Dining Chairs, 1970s Magnificent mid century rattan / Cane set of six vintage Chinese Chippendale style dining chairs plus matching table by ‘Angraves’ from the “Invincible” range. Brown in colour. The Table has a 10mm Glass top with polished edges. The chairs and table have cane lapping on all joints and other areas in abundance, the seats of the chairs are heavily woven wicker. In great condition Plaque reading: Angraves, Invincible, Brook Street, Thurmaston, North Leicester Excellent quality and craftsmanship, in great condition. Please note these are made from natural materials, so they may differ slightly in finish and colour. Angraves of Leicester: manufactured high class cane furniture in Britain for almost a century. From 1912 through to 2011, when the company along with its highly skilled craftsmen were bought out by Soane Britain...
Cane, Rattan
Russel Woodart dining set
Located in Paris, FR
Dining set by Russell Woodard - USA Mid century 4 chairs and 1 table. Made of lacquered fiberglass with a circular lacquered wooden top. Fully restored. New seat cushions in an out...
Fiberglass, Lacquer
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
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
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 T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Kreiss
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