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.
$3,464Sale Price|25% Off
Oval Brass Drinks Trolley by Maison Bagués
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This neoclassical style oval bar cart is all made of brass. It has two removable oval trays made of glass and surrounded by a delicate brass gallery. This is a French work by famous ...
Brass
Russian Polychrome Folk Painted Two-Tier Rolling Tea Table Dessert Cart
Located in Forney, TX
An exceptionally rare and unusual original Russian folk painted rolling tea table / dessert cart / side table. circa 1920 Russia, early 20th century...
Paint, Lacquer, Wood
Serving Drink Bar Cart Trolley with side flaps, marquetry inlays, 1970s.
Located in Radomsko, Województwo łódzkie
Beautiful Italian Neoclassical inlaid Marquetry Dessert - Bar Cart Bar cart in Neoclassical Design - made from fine Woods and Brass. Magnificent intricate Marquetry on the Serving Su...
Brass
Maison Jansen French Neoclassical Steel & Bronze Hoof Feet Pedestal Drink Table
Located in Miami, FL
Neoclassical French drink table Maison Jansen style steel, brass & bronze hoof feet with a round sand color travertine top. The natural taupe color 1-inch-...
Travertine, Brass, Bronze, Steel
$1,008Sale Price|57% Off
French Mid Century Expandable Bar or Serving Table with Removeable Tray C1950s
Located in Trensacq, FR
A stylish Louis XVI Neoclassical style two-tier expandable serving table c1950 France. A sleek and stylish French dessert with ribbon detailing and tapered legs and finished with bra...
Brass
Neoclassical Style Brass Bar Cart with Removable Glass Tray By Maison Baguès
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This beautiful bar cart is made of brass with removable glass trays and bottles holder on the bottom shelf. This is a French work by famous Maison Baguès, circa 1940.
Brass
Neoclassical Carved White and Brèche Violette Marble Console
Located in Essex, MA
A large carved marble and breche violette topped console table. Free standing with winged figural supports holding a shell and beautiful marble top. Provenance: Sotheby's Private ...
Breccia Marble, Statuary Marble
Swedish Neoclassical Style, Giltwood, Marble, Console Tables, Sweden, 20th c.
Located in Manhasset, NY
Swedish Neoclassical Style, Giltwood, Marble, Console Tables, Sweden, 20th c. Pair of elegant gilt and parcel-painted console tables featuring ebonized twisted column legs with gilt...
Marble
Gustavian Late 18th Century Neoclassical Swedish, White-Painted Console Table
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
Carved wood with original white paint, carved giltwood rosettes, original grey white-veined marble top. The rectangular top above a Greek key frieze with applied rosettes on square t...
Marble
Set of 3 Maison Lancel Nesting Tables Brass Wood Top French Mid-Century Modern
Located in Miami, FL
Superb set of nesting tables by Maison Lancel in brass and ebonized wood. Great as Drink Table, Serving Table or Sofa Table for Your favorite Snacks. Mid-Century Modern Design from ...
Brass
$3,320Sale Price|20% Off
Neoclassical Style Wood and Brass Bar Cart in the Style of Maison Jansen
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This elegant neoclassical style bar cart is made of wood and brass. This is a French work in the style of famous designer Maison Jansen. Circa 1940.
Brass
$3,519Sale Price|20% Off
Maison Jansen Style Ovale Brass Bar Cart with Smoked Glass Shelves
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This unusual ovale bar cart is made of brass with bronzed glas shelves. This is a model attributed to famous French Designer Maison Jansen. Circa 1940.
Brass
$1,320Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Neoclassical Carved Mahogany & Burl Server C1930
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Neoclassical Carved Mahogany & Burl Server C1930. Measures- 40.75''H x 46''W x 19.75''D. An antique neoclassical style server offers mahogany and burl construction with backsplash having carved cartouche over single drawer case with stylized shield, dental and scroll elements raised on legs...
Mahogany
$1,876Sale Price|20% Off
Unusual Tray Table in Brass with a Lacquer Tole Top, circa 1950
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This tray table is made of a folding brass base with a lacquer tole top with gilt geometrical decor. This is a French work, circa 1950.
Brass
$1,905Sale Price|20% Off
Neoclassical Style 3 Tiers Mahogany and Brass Round Table, French, Circa 1940
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This neoclassical style 3 tiers serving table is made of mahogany and brass. This is a French work, circa 1940.
Brass
Country House Garden Serving Table
Located in Sturminster Marshall, Dorset
A fine teak country house exterior serving table with a rectangular fixed geometric slatwork top, supported by an under-frieze. A pair of architectural turned columns, united by stre...
Teak
Large Gray Painted and Limestone Console Table
Located in Dallas, TX
Large console table with a limestone top and caved wood acanthus leaf legs with a gray painted finish.
Limestone
19th Century Italy Antique Bed Service Table in Walnut, Neoclassic, Wax Polished
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Antique Classic and elegant bedroom service table in solid walnut, with the top in solid briar. It is proposed as a piece of furniture for other uses in a modern environment. Produce...
Walnut
Neoclassical Empire Style Rectangular Bronze Side Serving Table with Glass Top
Located in Plainview, NY
This classic Neoclassical French Empire style side serving table features a refined rectangular glass top supported by slender bronze legs. The legs, adorned with graceful paw feet,...
Bronze
French Fruitwood Demi-lune Server
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Antique French Directoire style server crafted in fruitwood with a demi-lune form having a black and white marble top with a brass gallery on a one drawer case with brass hardware on...
Brass
Small Walnut Side Table with Glass Top Serving Tray
Located in Pasadena, TX
With a removable serving tray, this side table is unique. Dating from the 1940's, its made of walnut. It has cabriole legs and a carved skirt.
Glass, Walnut
Italian, Veneto, Walnut Neoclassical 1-Drawer Console Table (1 available)
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of Italian walnut neoclassical one drawer walnut consoles, Veneto Region.
Walnut
Venetian Neoclassical late 18th century Painted Console Table
Located in Troy, NY
Venetian Neoclassical late 18th century Painted Console Table. The elegant and charming console, painted in hues of green and red, The front and both sides with a wavy frieze centere...
Wood
American Mahogany Two Tiered Supper Table. Circa 1840
Located in Charleston, SC
American mahogany two tiered supper table with brass decorative column supports, reeded and turned tripod pedestal, and terminating on original brass casters. Early 19th Century
Brass
$9,600Sale Price|20% Off
Pair of American Mahogany Console Servers in Natural Washed Finish
Located in North York, ON
American mahogany console servers in natural washed finish. Original design and look with beautiful inlaid work and slender curved legs. This piece is p...
Metal
An Important Neoclassical Giltwood Console Florence, Italy
Located in Sheffield, MA
An Important Neoclassical Giltwood Console Roma,Italy 18th Century The mottled grey rectangular marble above an egg and dart edge, the guilloche frieze with a central rosette, on r...
Wood
$1,687
H 18.9 in W 14.57 in D 13 in
Maison Jansen Midcentury Brass and Crystal French Serving Bar Cart, 1950s
Located in Roma, IT
Fantastic Mid-Century serving bar cart in solid brass and crystal glass attributed to Maison Jansen, 1950s . This lovely object is unique thanks to its small dimensions and perfect ...
Brass, Metal
Two-Tier Polished Brass Glass Rolling Serving Bar Cart
By Aldo Tura
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Decorative polished brass serving tea bar cart. Larger carriage style wheels.
Brass
Italian Mid-Century Bamboo and Rattan Serving Bar Cart or Trolley, 1970
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Italian Mid-Century Bamboo and Rattan Serving Bar Cart or Trolley, 1970 Gorgeous bar cart or trolley made of curved bamboo and rattan during the Italian mid-century in the 1960s. Th...
Bamboo, Rattan
$584
H 97 in W 66 in D 40 in
Vintage Service Trolley by Variett Bremshey for Bremshey & Co., Germany, 1966
Located in Roma, IT
This Variett multipurpose table or trolley was designed by Bremshey & Co. and exhibited by Arnex Products Ltd at The Daily Mail Ideal Home Exhibitio...
Metal, Chrome
Antique French Neoclassical Alabaster Pedestal
Located in London, GB
Antique French neoclassical alabaster pedestal French, Late 19th Century Height 112cm, width 35cm, depth 35cm This elegant and fine pu...
Alabaster
Midcentury Chrome Glass and Marble Bar Cart
Located in Houston, TX
A midcentury two-tiered chrome, glass, and marble bar cart on casters.
Marble, Chrome
1950s Italian oval brass drinks trolley
Located in London, GB
Elegant two-tier oval drinks trolley with simple curved brass frame that extends to create a handle either end. Decorative filigree brass edge to both shelves. Simple brass bottle ho...
Brass
$2,688
H 29.34 in W 25.99 in D 15.75 in
Stunning Antique Italian circa 1950's Brass & Glass Tea Cake Serving Trolley
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very fine, circa 1950’s Mid-Century Modern brass and glass Italian drinks trolley A good looking well made and decorative piece, the beauty...
Brass
French Gilt-Bronze Bar Cart with Gold Églomisé Tops attr. to Bagues
Located in Pembroke, MA
A highly-decorative and very rare French gilt-bronze bar cart with a gold églomisé tops. The bronze frame is in the form of palm leaves, and sun flowers adorn the sides where the sup...
Ormolu, Bronze
$1,828
H 30.52 in W 26.58 in D 16.54 in
Space Age Vintage Bar Cart Serving Trolley Green Chromed Metal 1970s Germany
Located in Vienna, AT
Space Age vintage bar cart or serving trolley from green formica plates and chromed metal frame 1970s. Throughout its foldable parts on eac...
Metal
Louis XV Style Kingwood and Gilt Bronze Two-Tier Tea Table
Located in Montreal, QC
Louis XV style kingwood trellis parquetry two-tier tea table with twin handled rectangular trays, the serpentine borders banded in gilt bronze over ta...
Ormolu
Campo e Graffi Bar Cart w/ Removable Tray in Teak and Brass, Italy 1960s
By Franco Campo & Carlo Graffi
Located in Roma, IT
Gorgeous triangular shaped serving bar cart with removable top tray in a beautiful combination of teak wood, brass, hand-woven wicker and white laminate. This incredibly unique and e...
Brass
Sold
H 37 in Dm 16 in
19th Century American Mahogany Three -Tier Side Table Muffin Stand, makers label
By A.L. Diament & Co.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A 19th Century American Three-Tier Side Table Muffin Stand with the original paper makers label. A graceful hand crafted mahogany wood table with three graduating circular shelves f...
Mahogany
Sold
H 26.38 in W 30.32 in D 20.48 in
Neoclassical Style Brass Bar Cart with Removable Trays by Maison Jansen
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This neoclassical style bar cart is made of brass with removable glass trays. This is a French work by Maison Bagués. Circa 1940.
Brass
Sold
H 29.14 in W 36.23 in D 19.3 in
Neoclassical Style Brass Drinks Trolley with Removable Trays by Maison Jansen
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This neoclassical style bar cart is made of brass with removable glass trays. This is a French work by famous designer Maison Jansen. Circa 1940.
Brass
Oval Brass Drinks Trolley by Maison Bagués
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This neoclassical style oval bar cart is all made of brass. It has two removable oval trays made of glass and surrounded by a delicate brass gallery. This is a French work by famous ...
Brass
Sold
H 34.5 in W 18 in D 25 in
Midcentury Neoclassical Mahogany & Marble Bar Cart Wine Trolley Champagne Bucket
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous, very elegant wine trolley, bar cart. Crafted from mahogany, brass and copper this cart has a built in wine cooler bucket. Three levels for storage with the top level a ligh...
Marble, Brass, Copper
19th Century Marble Top Serving Table
Located in The Cotswolds, The Cotswolds
The mahogany cluster column legs below the frieze with twin drawers, Derbyshire fossil marble top. Paper label to the underside of the top, “From the ‘once a week’ quarry at Sheld...
Marble
Sold
H 25.99 in W 29.93 in D 17.33 in
Maison Baguès, Neoclassical Style Brass Drinks Trolley with Removable Glass Tray
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This beautiful bar cart is all made of brass with removable glass trays and bottles holder on the bottom shelf. This is a French work by famous Maison Baguès, circa 1940.
Brass
Three Tiers Silvered on Brass Drinks Trolley by Maison Jansen
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This neoclassical style three tiers bar cart is made of silvered on brass. This drinks trolley is a French work by Maison Jansen. Circa 1940.
Brass
Round Brass Drinks Trolley by Maison Baguès. French. Circa 1940
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
Thsi neoclassical style round drinks trolley is made of brass with removable trays. This is a work by famous French designer Maison Baguès. Circa...
Brass
Brass Drinks Trolley by Maison Jansen. Circa 1940
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This neoclassical style bar cart is made of brass with two removable glass trays. This is a work by famous French designer Maison Jansen. Circa 1940
Brass
Sold
H 28.15 in W 30.12 in D 15.75 in
Neoclassical Style Brass Drinks Trolley with Removable Trays by Maison Jansen
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This neoclassical style bar cart is ade of brass with 2 removable Trays. This is a French work by famous Maison Jansen. Circa 1940.
Brass
Sold
H 36.5 in W 76 in D 16 in
Early 19th Century Tuscan Walnut Veneered and Marble-Top Shallow Console Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
Highly functional for serving as this piece is tall in height and lean in depth with an easily maintainable marble top. Elegant in style this piece is from the early 19th century.
Marble