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.
20th French Marquetry Round Center Table with Four Cabriole Legs '2 Available'
Located in Miami, FL
20th marquetry round center table with four cabriole legs. We have two pieces available.
Fruitwood
Pair of 'Diagramme' Wrought Iron and Travertine Side Tables by Design Frères
By Design Frères, Paul Dupré-Lafon
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of 'Diagramme' wrought iron and travertine side tables by Design Frères. Measures: Lower bar is 4.5" inches from the floor.
Travertine, Wrought Iron
Pair of 'Diagramme' Wrought Iron and Travertine Side Tables by Design Frères
By Design Frères, Paul Dupré-Lafon
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of 'Diagramme' wrought iron and travertine side tTables by Design Frères. Measures: Lower bar is 4.5" inches from the floor.
Travertine, Wrought Iron
French Neoclassical Eglomise Side Table with Brass Frame, 1950s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
French Neoclassical eglomise top and brass framed side table. This rare campaign style table has a multiple of uses. From a very fine Palm Beach Estate.
Brass
French Figural Bronze and Marble Gueridon Table
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th Century Neoclassical Bronze and Marble Gueridon Table, masterfully combining bronze sculpture and fine marble. Table features a circular black marble top with natural veining an...
Marble
$1,531Sale Price|20% Off
Mahogany and Faux-Bamboo Gilt Metal Side Table with Magazine Rack
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This magazine rack side table is made of mahogany and faux-bamboo gilt metal. This is a French work, circa 1970.
Metal
$881Sale Price / set|20% Off
Hand-Painted Neoclassical Italian Side Tables, Classic Style, 1965
Located in Den Haag, NL
Two very nice Classic side table. Hand painted flowers on the top, and signed Creme color Craquelure finish. comes with Gold details. And scalloped top.
Wood
A Graceful Italian Neoclassical Style Beechwood Circular Single-drawer Side Tabl
Located in San Francisco, CA
the round top above a plain frieze apron fitted with a single drawer; raised on a tripod base of elegantly splayed and tapering supports with a waisted neck
Beech
Italian Neoclassical Brass Rams Head Round Marble Steel Gueridon Side Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Vintage Italian Neoclassical Maison Jansen Style Brass Rams Head Round Marble Top Ste...
Marble, Brass, Steel
Early 19th Century Russian Neoclassical Table by Heinrich Gambs
Located in Essex, MA
Period Russian neoclassical table with original planter insert. Attributed to Heinrich Gambs. Ebony and figured birch, brass inlay. Top bearing family m...
Brass, Ormolu
Pavane by Tomlinson Burl Table
By Tomlinson
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Stunning in its simplicity! Burl top Pavane by Tomlinson side table with geometric pawn style hexagon base.
Burl
Pair of Large Brass Side Tables with Smoked Glass
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This nice and large pair of lside tables is made of brass with smoked glass. This is a French work. Circa 1970
Brass
$449Sale Price|25% Off
Vintage Maitland Smith Nationall Geographic Table
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Vintage Maitland Smith National Geographic library table. On 4 pillar legs , with one drawer.
Wood, Paper
French Pair of Tables in Bronze with Black Marble Top from Hotel George V
Located in Montreal, Quebec
French Neoclassical Midcentury Modern side tables in the manner of Baguès for Maison Jansen from the famed George V Hotel in Paris. These square tables feature cast bronze legs and ...
Marble, Bronze
Antique Neoclassical French Style End Tabes/Nightstands - Pair
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Neoclassical French Style Hand Painted Satinwood Side/End Tabes/Nightstands - Pair This elegant pair of antique Neoclassical–style side tables or nightstands is crafted in ...
Satinwood
American Mission Oak Pedestal Oval Side Tables W Leatherette Nail Trim Apron
Located in Germantown, MD
A pair of vintage American Amish mission oak pedestal oval side tables with nail trim over Leatherette apron. Beautifully handcrafted in the USA. ...
Brass
Round End Table with Painted Olive Green Glass Top and Dark Mahogany Base
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Sutton side table shown with round green painted glass top and beautiful dark mahogany base - all hand carved and painted. ITEM IS ONLY AVAILABLE CUSTOM - PLEASE INQUIRE FOR CUST...
Art Glass, Mahogany
French Neoclassical Side Table with Brass Inlay, 20th Century
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Very fine French neoclassical style side table with brass inlay's and patterned wood top. Great attention to detail.
Brass
$1,012 / set
Pair of Antique Satinwood and Brass Side Tables
Located in London, GB
A superb pair of antique satin wood and brass side tables, made in England and dating from around the 1920’s. They are of outstanding quality, with gorgeous satin woods tops that co...
Brass
Early 19th Century Italian Neoclassical Dolphin Side Table
Located in Essex, MA
Period Norther Italian Neoclassical Inlaid Walnut and Fruitwood Gueridon Side Table. Wonderful Inlaid Marquetry Top. Carved and ebonized dolphin with Gilded Neptune's Trident. Mat...
Ebony, Fruitwood, Walnut
Very Fine Pair Marble Top Gilt Bronze Gueridons after Adam Weiswiler
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Fine neoclassical style circular bronze stands with black marble tops. Raised on three double faux bamboo from bronze legs mounted on an incurved tripod base in figured wood. With th...
Bronze
A SOLID BRONZE AND VERDE MARBLE SEAHORSE TABLE FROM CLARIDGE'S LONDON - c1950s
Located in London, GB
Exceptional quality patinated bronze with sculptural detail - a brace of facing sea horses which terminate gracefully into hooved feet. Featuring two levels in verde marble with wond...
Marble, Bronze
Vintage Circular Iron Side Table with Travertine Stone Top
Located in New York, NY
Vintage neoclassical style circular iron side table with travertine stone top.
Travertine, Iron
Nicholas I Period Russian Malachite Side Table with Gilt Bronze Base
Located in London, GB
Nicholas I period Russian malachite side table with gilt bronze base Russian c. 1840 Measures: Height 77cm, diameter 89cm This is a truly excepti...
Malachite, Ormolu, Bronze
Neoclassical Maison Jansen Style Steel Black Marble Round Bouillotte Side Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Vintage Neoclassical Maison Jansen Style Steel and Black Marble Top Round Bouillotte ...
Marble, Brass, Steel
Italian Neoclassical Style Brass Arrow And Quiver Table
By Guy Lefevre, Romeo Rega, Maison Jansen, Maison Baguès
Located in Houston, TX
Italian Neoclassical Style Brass Arrow And Quiver Table. Offered is a stunning Italian brass arrow and quiver tripod base holding a brass tray top from the 1960's. This table can b...
Brass
Maison Ramsay Marble & Brass Kidney Shaped Side Table
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Elegant Maison Ramsay Marble & Brass Kidney Shaped Cocktail, Side Table
Marble, Brass
Maitland-Smith Neoclassical Style Copper, Wood and Bamboo Occasional Table
Located in Morristown, NJ
Striking Maitland-Smith handmade occasional table. c. 1970, two-tiers with a round top clad in etched sheet copper, with reeded bamboo trim, having classical maiden caryatid legs on ...
Copper
$1,120 / item
Classic Three-Tier Side Table, Drift White
Located in Westwood, NJ
Classic three-tier side table - A small rectangle tiered end table with two shelves, and tapered feet, has a "drift" white painted finish with subtle grey distressing. Dimensions:...
Wood
Neoclassical Style Brass & Nickeled Metal Guéridon / Collapsing Side Table
Located in North Miami, FL
Elegant French Mid-Century solid brass guéridon, side, end or occasional table in the modern neoclassical style. This collapsible brass tri-legged table with ball feet and supports ...
Metal, Brass, Nickel
$2,950 / set
Vintage Regency Gilt Tipped Side Tables - A Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Elevate your interior with this sophisticated pair of Regency-style side tables. These pieces embody Neoclassical grandeur, featuring ebonized tapered columns accented with elegant g...
Mahogany
French Neoclassical Style 19th Century Walnut Table with Oval Top, Tapered Legs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Neoclassical style walnut side table from the 19th century, with almond shaped top, ebonized accents and tapered legs. Created in France during the 19th century, this walnut...
Walnut
Circular Mahogany Center Table, Danish, circa 1840
Located in London, GB
A finely carved mahogany center table, Danish, circa 1840. Circular top with carved frieze, mounted on an octagonal column and base supported by four claw feet, each foot has a la...
Mahogany
Oak Wood Side Table with Shaped Top on Pedestal Base and Legs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Morgan side table has a hexagon shaped top shown covered in horsehair. All hand carved oakwood with shaped pedestal base and legs. Available as is for price as shown. Can be made...
Oak
Pair of One Drawer Neoclassical Style Bronze-Mounted Mahogany End / Side Tables
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of one drawer Russian style bronze-mounted end tables or night stands. Having been professionally polished and touched up this fine pair of Russian inspired tables are reminisce...
Mahogany
$1,114Sale Price / set|20% Off
Elegant Pair of Neoclassical Side Tables by Maison De Coene Belgium 1960.
Located in Brussels, BE
Elegant pair of cherry wood side tables. One drawer and brass details. By De Coene Frères- Belgium 1960.
Brass
Maison Baguès foliage gilt bronze chinoiserie lacquered side tables 1950s
Located in Paris, IDF
These beautiful Maison Baguès chinoiserie nesting side tables were created in the early 1950s, with solid foliage shaped gilt bronze structure and chinese decor lacquered tops pictur...
Bronze
$1,300 / item
Small Classic Two-Tier Side Table, Drift White
Located in Westwood, NJ
Small Classic rectangle two-tier side table with lipped top, tapered legs, and a shelf, has a “rustic” warm brown finish with subtle visual ...
Wood
Pair of 'Diagramme' Wrought Iron and Travertine Side Tables by Design Frères
By Paul Dupré-Lafon, Design Frères
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of 'Diagramme' wrought iron and travertine side tTables by Design Frères. Measures: Lower bar is 4.5" inches from the floor.
Travertine, Wrought Iron
Pair of 19th Century Neoclassical Russian Karelian Birch and Slate Top Gueridons
Located in Essex, MA
Pair of continental Karelian Birch, faux bronze and parcel-gilt gueridons Possibly Russian Each circular slate top above a plain frieze raised on tapering lion's-head monopodia joi...
Slate
Italian Neoclassic Style Painted and Gilt Occasional Table with Marble Surface
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Morristown, NJ
Charming Italian Neoclassic style occasional table, mid-20th century, with circular inset marble top surrounded by a pierced gilt-bronze gallery. The fluted apron and tapering legs a...
Marble, Brass
Early 20th Century Empire Malachite and Gilt Bronze Tables
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine pair of early 20th century Empire neoclassical style gilt bronze and malachite tables Measures: Height 29 1/2 x width 28 1/2 x depth 20 1/4 inches.
Bronze
Vintage Italian Neoclassical Stone Top Side Tables - A Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This stunning pair of Italian-made side tables captures the timeless elegance of Neoclassical design with a sophisticated, late-century flair. Each table features a striking round to...
Marble
Pair of Neoclassical Style Brass Side Tables with Three Glass Tiers. French Work
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
Pair of brass side tables with three clear glass tiers set into moulded frames. Tubular uprights with rings surmounted by ball finials, original small castors. Work by Maison Scholtz...
Brass
George II Vitruvian Side Table
Located in Sturminster Marshall, Dorset
A Neoclassical gilt-wood side table with marble top above a panelled frieze decorated with a carved Vitruvian scroll. The square tapered and fluted legs are headed by paterae, carved...
Marble
Directoire French Louis XVI Neoclassical Guéridon Brushed Nickel Table
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful Directoire French Louis XVI neoclassical Maison Jansen style guéridon marble-top table with brushed nickel / stainless steel frame and bronze rings and feet.
Marble, Brass, Bronze, Nickel, Stainless Steel
Vintage Thonet Side Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This 1930s Thonet bentwood side table is crafted from beechwood using traditional steam-bent techniques. Sourced in Budapest, it features elegant curved supports, a compact square to...
Oak
$1,671Sale Price|20% Off
Petite Neoclassical White Lacquer Side Table by Jacques Adnet, France 1948.
Located in Brussels, BE
Small white lacquer neoclassical side table with a green marble top. By J.Adnet, France 1948.
Marble, Wrought Iron
Special Faux Rosewood Pedestal with Octagonal Top Shown in Covered in Leather
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Walton side table shown with leather top and faux rosewood pedestal base can be made to your custom specifications in finish as well as the top being covered or painted - all dim...
Leather, Rosewood
Maison Bagues French Bronze and Brass Neoclassical Table on Wheels
Located in Miami, FL
Maison bagues French bronze and brass neoclassical table on wheels.
Brass, Bronze
Enrique Garcel for Pilati Neoclassical Mosaic Bone Side Table Set 2
Located in Munich, DE
Neoclassical three-column side table with stepped top and interesting mosaic-like bone parquet. Designed by Enrique Garcel for Pilati Interior in Germany. Marked with brass plate at ...
Bone, Beech
Rose Tarlow Style Twig Iron Faux Bois Garden Drinks Table
By Rose Tarlow, Gregorius Pineo
Located in Rio Vista, CA
A charming wrought iron twig faux-bois garden side table, or drink table crafted in the style of Rose Tarlow and Gregorius Pineo. The table features an iron twig faux-bois constructi...
Wrought Iron
Pair of Neoclassical Style Side Tables, 19th Century French
Located in El Monte, CA
A pair of Louis XVI style side tables that exemplify the key characteristics of the neoclassical period from top to bottom. Fine wood inlays are featured on the table tops and frieze...
Bronze
French Neoclassical Figured Mahogany Round Side Table with Brass Gallery
Located in Brentwood, TN
French Neoclassical style figured mahogany side table with round top and elegant pierced brass gallery. The circular top is veneered with beautifully radiating matched mahogany, crea...
Mahogany
Antique French Gilt Bronze and Marble Neoclassical Style circular side table
Located in New York, NY
Antique French Gilt Bronze and Marble Neoclassical Style circular side table This antique French gilt bronze and marble circular side table is executed in the Neoclassical style. Th...
Marble, Bronze
Pair of Neoclassical Style Round Side Tables, Manner of Adam Weisweiler
By Adam Weisweiler
Located in London, GB
Pair of neoclassical style round side tables, manner of Adam Weisweiler French, 19th century Measures: Height 76 cm, diameter 37.5 cm These exquis...
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
$5,570 / set
Pair of 19th Century Mirrored Side Tables
Located in Madrid, EX
Pair of mirrored tables Mahogany and mirror; brass trim Nordic region, mid-19th century Height 64 cm, width 70 cm, depth 48 cm Pair of side tables made of solid and veneered mahoga...
Brass
Italian Neoclassical Giltwood and Painted Console Table
Located in Essex, MA
With a rectangular veneered marble top over a conforming frieze decorated with trailing grape vine and leaves and grapes, raised on circular tapered fluted legs.
Wood
Neoclassic Style Marble Specimen Table
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive vintage occasional table having a square top with three types of marble divided by onyx borders. The elegant tapered metal legs hav...
Marble
Pair of One Drawer Neoclassical Style Bronze-Mounted Mahogany End / Side Tables
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of One Drawer Neoclassical Style Bronze-Mounted Mahogany End / Side Tables A pair of one drawer Russian style bronze-mounted end tables or night stands that have been professio...
Bronze