Neoclassical Tables
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.
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Tables
Carrara Marble, Ormolu
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Tables
Marble, Brass
20th Century American Neoclassical Tables
Maple
Mid-20th Century European Neoclassical Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Tables
Maple
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Tables
Mother-of-Pearl, Hardwood
2010s American Neoclassical Tables
Walnut
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Wood
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Tables
Carrara Marble
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Tables
Walnut, Maple, Burl
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Tables
Mahogany
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Tables
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Tables
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Tables
Brass
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Tables
Wood, Paint
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Tables
Bronze
1960s German Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Metal
Mid-20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Tables
Brass, Bronze
Mid-20th Century European Neoclassical Tables
Onyx, Brass
19th Century Scandinavian Antique Neoclassical Tables
Mahogany
Late 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Tables
Marble, Brass, Steel
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Marble, Bronze
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Tables
Rosewood, Fruitwood
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Tables
Cherry
20th Century Neoclassical Tables
Marble
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Tables
Siena Marble
1890s Swedish Antique Neoclassical Tables
Mahogany
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Tables
Carrara Marble, Ormolu
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Tables
Pine
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Tables
Marble
18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Tables
Wood, Mahogany
1940s North American Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Wood
1980s Philippine Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Stone
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Tables
Oak
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Tables
Mirror, Wood, Giltwood
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Marble, Brass
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Bronze
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Tables
Fruitwood
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Tables
Silk, Mahogany, Sycamore
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Tables
Marble, Ormolu
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Tables
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Tables
Mahogany, Walnut
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Tables
Cherry
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Steel, Chrome
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Tables
Walnut
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Brass
1890s Italian Antique Neoclassical Tables
Marble, Brass
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Tables
Faience, Mahogany
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Tables
Wood
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Tables
Marble
19th Century Unknown Antique Neoclassical Tables
Ormolu
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Tables
Brass
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Tables
Marble, Ormolu
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Tables
Wood, Paper, Glass
19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Tables
Carrara Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Tables
Wood
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Brass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Brass