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.
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Tables
Stone, Marble
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Tables
Walnut
Late 18th Century American Antique Neoclassical Tables
Mahogany
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary French Neoclassical Tables
Limestone
21st Century and Contemporary French Neoclassical Tables
Limestone
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Tables
Marble
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Tables
Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Tables
Walnut
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Tables
Hardwood
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Brass
Late 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Tables
Wood, Lacquer
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Brass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Tables
Travertine, Iron
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Brass, Nickel
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Tables
Plaster
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Carrara Marble, Brass
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Tables
Mahogany, Walnut
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Tables
Granite, Brass, Steel
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Tables
Walnut
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Tables
Pine
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Tables
Marble
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Wrought Iron
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Tables
Wood, Cherry
2010s Neoclassical Tables
Mahogany
20th Century American Neoclassical Tables
Steel, Bronze, Brass
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Tables
Malachite, Brass, Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Tables
Rock Crystal, Tin
2010s American Neoclassical Tables
Brass
20th Century European Neoclassical Tables
Bronze
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Brass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Brass
2010s American Neoclassical Tables
Lacquer, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Neoclassical Tables
Metal, Brass, Nickel
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Brass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century Spanish Neoclassical Tables
Marble
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Neoclassical Tables
Walnut
2010s Belgian Neoclassical Tables
Stone
1790s Dutch Antique Neoclassical Tables
Metal
20th Century American Neoclassical Tables
Wood, Beech
20th Century Neoclassical Tables
Gesso, Wood, Paint
1990s Italian Neoclassical Tables
Cherry
20th Century French Neoclassical Tables
Brass
1830s Italian Antique Neoclassical Tables
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Tables
Wood
Late 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Tables
Marble, Bronze, Steel
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Tables
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary French Neoclassical Tables
Travertine, Wrought Iron
20th Century American Neoclassical Tables
Iron
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Tables
Wood
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Brass
2010s French Neoclassical Tables
Stone
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Brass, Bronze
1920s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Tables
Marble
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Tables
Walnut
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Tables
Brass





