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.
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Tables
Giltwood
1980s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Tables
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Tables
Wood
Early 1900s Italian Antique Neoclassical Tables
Walnut
1980s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Brass
2010s Italian Neoclassical Tables
Metal
2010s Italian Neoclassical Tables
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Tables
Metal
1890s American Antique Neoclassical Tables
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Tables
Marble, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Tables
Leather, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Tables
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Tables
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Tables
Wood
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Tables
Burl
Mid-20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Tables
Leather, Ostrich Leather, Wood
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Tables
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Tables
Wood
1970s Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Marble, Brass
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Tables
Glass, Walnut, Burl
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Tables
Marble
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Tables
Onyx, Metal
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Tables
Wrought Iron
Early 1800s French Antique Neoclassical Tables
Rosewood
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Tables
Brass, Steel
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Tables
Leather, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Tables
Wood
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Tables
Metal, Iron, Gold Leaf
1940s North American Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Wood
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Tables
Wrought Iron
1950s British Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Marble, Bronze
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Tables
Marble
20th Century French Neoclassical Tables
Marble, Ormolu
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Tables
Plaster
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Tables
Brass
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Tables
Marble, Brass
18th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Tables
Gesso, Wood
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Tables
Brass
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Tables
Walnut
1950s Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Marble
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Tables
Brass, Steel
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Tables
Giltwood
1840s French Antique Neoclassical Tables
Pine
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Tables
Mahogany, Giltwood
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Tables
Bronze
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Marble
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Tables
Brass, Steel
20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Tables
Iron
1820s French Antique Neoclassical Tables
Walnut
Late 20th Century Philippine Neoclassical Tables
Brass, Iron
1920s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Marble
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Tables
Metal
2010s Italian Neoclassical Tables
Metal
2010s Italian Neoclassical Tables
Metal
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Tables
Wood, Paint
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Tables
Wrought Iron