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.
20th Century Neoclassical Tables
Wood, Giltwood, Burl
2010s French Neoclassical Tables
Wood, Cherry, Lacquer
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Brass
20th Century American Neoclassical Tables
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Tables
Iron
1830s Italian Antique Neoclassical Tables
Giltwood
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Tables
Mirror, Wood
1970s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Brass, Chrome
1830s Italian Antique Neoclassical Tables
Walnut
1780s French Antique Neoclassical Tables
Oak, Rosewood
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Tables
Mahogany, Walnut
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Tables
Wood
1810s American Antique Neoclassical Tables
Brass
1990s American Neoclassical Tables
Marble
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Tables
Pine
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Tables
Metal
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Tables
Felt, Wood
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Brass
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Tables
Marble
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Tables
Mahogany
2010s French Neoclassical Tables
Wood, Cherry, Oak, Lacquer
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Marble, Brass, Bronze
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Tables
Wood
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Tables
Walnut, Burl
1820s Italian Antique Neoclassical Tables
Walnut
1810s European Antique Neoclassical Tables
Brass
2010s American Neoclassical Tables
Lacquer, Oak, Maple
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Marble, Brass, Bronze
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Tables
Marble
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Brass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Brass
1810s European Antique Neoclassical Tables
Bronze
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Iron
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Tables
Walnut
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Brass
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Leather, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Tables
Bamboo, Raffia, Hardwood
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Tables
Walnut
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Tables
Metal
Mid-20th Century European Neoclassical Tables
Onyx, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Tables
Steel
20th Century American Neoclassical Tables
Marble
1780s Italian Antique Neoclassical Tables
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Tables
Iron
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Tables
Onyx, Bronze
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Tables
Velvet, Walnut
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Tables
Mahogany, Burl
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Glass, Wood, Beech
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Brass
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Tables
Wood, Lacquer, Paper
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Tables
Burl
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Tables
Marble, Brass
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Tables
Breccia Marble
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Tables
Oak
Early 20th Century European Neoclassical Tables
Wood
1940s North American Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Wood
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Marble, Wrought Iron