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 French Neoclassical Tables
Brass, Steel
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Tables
Mirror, Poplar, Giltwood
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Brass
2010s American Neoclassical Tables
Steel
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Tables
Fruitwood
20th Century French Neoclassical Tables
Metal, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Tables
Brass
2010s American Neoclassical Tables
Oak
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Tables
Belgian Black Marble
2010s French Neoclassical Tables
Wrought Iron
2010s American Neoclassical Tables
Oak, Ash, Maple, Walnut
1780s Italian Antique Neoclassical Tables
Pine
1980s French Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Brass
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Tables
Glass, Wood, Walnut
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Tables
Cherry
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Tables
Mahogany, Oak, Walnut
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Tables
Onyx, Brass
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Tables
Walnut
20th Century French Neoclassical Tables
Marble
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Tables
Marble, Bronze, Steel
1780s Italian Antique Neoclassical Tables
Marble, Brass
Late 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Tables
Marble
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Tables
Brass
20th Century French Neoclassical Tables
Marble, Bronze
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Tables
Marble
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Tables
Serpentine
1920s Swedish Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Marble
1930s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Mirror, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Tables
Iron
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Tables
Mirror, Wood
Early 19th Century Belgian Antique Neoclassical Tables
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Tables
Glass, Wood, Paper
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Tables
Marble
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Tables
Wood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Tables
Ormolu
1970s Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Glass, Burl
1990s American Neoclassical Tables
Mahogany
20th Century French Neoclassical Tables
Bronze
20th Century French Neoclassical Tables
Malachite, Ormolu, Bronze
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Tables
Bronze
20th Century French Neoclassical Tables
Nickel
20th Century Neoclassical Tables
Wood
2010s Italian Neoclassical Tables
Marble, Griotte Marble, Gold Leaf
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Tables
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Tables
Oak, Walnut
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Tables
Marble, Ormolu
20th Century American Neoclassical Tables
Walnut
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Tables
Marble, Steel
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Tables
Wood, Paint
20th Century French Neoclassical Tables
Marble
2010s Belgian Neoclassical Tables
Stone
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Tables
Cherry
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Tables
Brass
1920s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Walnut
1830s American Antique Neoclassical Tables
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Tables
Wood
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Tables
Marble, Stainless Steel, Nickel, Bronze, Brass
Late 20th Century North American Neoclassical Tables
Brass