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.
Italian Neo-Classic Walnut Inlaid Side Table, 19th Century, Italy
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Neo-Classic (19th Century) square walnut end / side table with a top featuring an inlaid design of concentric circles and geometric shapes, an inlaid apron, single drawer wit...
Wood, Walnut
$4,497 / item
Neo Classic Round End Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
Crafted from rich mahogany and accented with brass-bound details. The circular top is gracefully complemented by a single frieze drawer, ideal for keeping small essentials close at h...
Brass
Faux Painted Marble Top Iron Table
Located in Locust Valley, NY
This Faux Painted Marble Top Iron Table combines elegant craftsmanship with timeless design. The tabletop is expertly crafted with a faux marble finish, imitating the luxurious look ...
Marble, Iron
$1,120 / item
Classic Three-Tier Side Table, Greyed
Located in Westwood, NJ
Classic three-tier side table. A small rectangle tiered end table with two shelves, and tapered feet, has a "rabbit" finish showing slight grain accents. Dimensions: 22" W x 14" D...
Wood
Console - side table, Western Europe, late 19th century.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Antique console - table from around 1890, Fracnja. Furniture in very good condition, after professional renovation. Dimensions: height 85 cm / width 95 cm / depth 52 cm
Walnut
$1,272Sale Price|20% Off
Hand Painted Italian Oval Shaped Neoclassical Style Table
Located in Pasadena, TX
This table is hand painted. The age and patina gives it a nicely weathered look. It's possibly Italian and very well made. It has a scalloped skirt and cabriolet legs. The knees and ...
Wood, Paint
19th Century Russian Neoclassic Mahogany & Brass Tilt-Top Table
Located in Queens, NY
Russian Neoclassic (19th Century) brass mounted mahogany tilt-top table with 12-sided specimen wood parquetry top above an incurved tripartite base
Brass
$1,680 / item
Classic Narrow Side Table, Mahogany Finish
Located in Westwood, NJ
Classic narrow rectangle side table with two drawers, brass hardware, and tapered feet, with a “country” dark mahogany tone with natural highlights, a hand-rubbed and distressed anti...
Wood
French Table in Bronze with Black Marble Top from Hotel George V
Located in Montreal, Quebec
French Neoclassical Midcentury Modern side table in the manner of Baguès for Maison Jansen from the famed George V Hotel in Paris. This square table features cast bronze legs and a ...
Marble, Bronze
$1,815 / item
Classic Narrow Side Table, Greyed
Located in Westwood, NJ
Classic narrow rectangle side table with two drawers, brass hardware, and tapered feet, with a “rustic” warm walnut finish with subtle visual dist...
Wood
19th Century Walnut Occasional Table with Carved Apron and Leg Detail
Located in Memphis, TN
A beautifully aged 19th century walnut occasional table featuring a richly patinated surface, carved apron detailing, and finely fluted tapering legs. The restrained silhouette and u...
Walnut
Silvered-Bronze Coffee Table and Two Nesting Side Tables with Églomisé Tops
Located in Pembroke, MA
A set of three silvered-bronze tables comprising a coffee table and two matching side tables that nest under the coffee table. The tops are églomisé silver with tones of gold and gre...
Brass, Bronze
Gilt Bronze Mounted Neoclassical Style Side Table by Thiébaut Frères
Located in London, GB
Gilt bronze mounted Neoclassical style side table by Thiébaut Frères French, 19th century Measures: Height 75cm, width 68cm, depth 45cm This charming side table is crafted from wood, gilt bronze, and marble. The table features a rectangular veined marble top, which is set above a gilt bronze mounted apron. The apron features a large frieze...
Marble, Ormolu
Antique French Gilt Bronze and Marble Neoclassical Style circular side table
Located in New York, NY
Antique French Gilt Bronze and Marble Neoclassical Style circular side table This antique French gilt bronze and marble circular side table is executed in the Neoclassical style. Th...
Marble, Bronze
$6,800 / set
Pair of Faux Porphyry Painted Side Tables
Located in Essex, MA
Wonderful pair of side tables Designer created, artist painted Neoclassical Faux porphyry tops.
Maple
Carved Wood, Gold Leaf and Portoro Marble Console, Italy, Late 19th Century
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Carved wood, gold leaf and portoro marble console, Italy, late 19th century.
Marble, Gold Leaf
Italian Brass and Cork Drinks Table
Located in North Miami, FL
A restored drinks table or side table . Period italian design of the midcentury period. I believe this piece has a clasic / neoclassical inspiration as well. I have reimagined and up...
Metal
Neo Classical Style Mahogany Side Table Inset with Japan Lacquered Panels
Located in Montreal, QC
Neo classical style ormolu mahogany two tier side table inset with Japan lacquered top with sliding doors.
Mahogany
Satinwood and Mahogany Parquetry Circular Side Table
Located in London, GB
This table was created in England in the 19th century. It is crafted from satinwood, and is fitted with a mahogany stretcher. The table is comprised of an oval-shaped top, which ...
Mahogany, Rosewood
$2,650 / item
19th Century English Cellarette / Cabinet Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Nicely carved with paw feet detail. Marble inset may not be original. The wood is oak.
Marble
Antique Parisian Neoclassical Style Side Table by Au Gros Chêne
Located in London, GB
Antique Parisian neoclassical style side table by Au Gros Chêne, French, late 19th century Dimensions: Height 75cm, width 90cm, depth 59cm This elegant oval shaped side table is...
Ormolu
$3,960 / item
19th Century Italian Carved Pine Neoclassical Tables
Located in Dallas, TX
Gorgeous 19th century Italian carved pine neoclassical tables. Interesting ram's head carvings on the legs and beautiful marble tops. Lovely decorative accent pieces! Note: Price lis...
Marble
19th Century Russian Neoclassic Mahogany Side Table with Brass Gallery
Located in Queens, NY
Russian Neoclassic-style mahogany side table with brass gallery over a frieze drawer and splayed legs joined by a fan parquetry inlaid stretcher.
Brass
Continental Neoclassic Karelian Birch Lyre Side Table
Located in Queens, NY
Continental Neoclassic Karelian (Circa 1820 and later embellished) birch, mahogany & parquetry side table with a frieze drawer on a lyre form stem.
Birch, Mahogany
Four Black Painted Metal Tray Tables in the 1940s Style, France, circa 1960s
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Neoclassical style set of four metal tray tables painted glossy black with traces of orange primer visible beneath. The two highest side tables have removable trays (top and bottom...
Pair of 19th Century Northern Italian Neo Classical Inlaid Side Tables
Located in Dallas, TX
Exceptional pair of 19th century Northern Italian neo-classical style side tables. Featuring very fine inlaid images and a marble top. And when you open up the doors there are drawer...
Marble
$2,650
Neoclassical Style Table
Located in Stockton, NJ
A quality mid-20th century neoclassical style brass table with white marble top and opaque white glass lower shelf.
Marble, Brass
Fine Regency Bronze Ormolu Rosewood Empire Tilt Top Marquetry Paw Foot Table
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Fine Regency Gilt Bronze Ormolu Mounted Gallery & Rosewood Empire Tilt Top Table With Marquetry Inlay And Raised On 3 Paw Feet
Ormolu
Very Fine 19th Century French Rosewood and Mahogany Ormolu-Mounted Table
Located in Roslyn, NY
A very fine 19th century French rosewood and mahogany ormolu-mounted table with gallery lower tier.
Bronze
Champlevé and Cloisonné Enamel Mounted White Onyx and Gilt Bronze Table
Located in London, GB
This stunning occasional table is crafted from onyx, gilt bronze, and champlevé enamel, the result being a beautiful combination of colours, textures, and materials. The square table...
Onyx, Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel
18th Century Classicism Side Table
Located in Berlin, DE
Sensational side table from the classicism, circa 1790. oak. Straight-edged frame base on four pointed tines. The tabletop, which is folded at the corners, with a diced inlay work,...
Wood, Oak
Italian Mid 18th Century Neoclassicism Cherry, Mecca and Polychrome Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An attractive Italian mid 18th century neoclassicism cherry, Mecca and polychrome table from the Tuscany region. The table is raised by a triangular base with concave sides above Mec...
Wood, Cherry
1900s Iron Marble Top Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
In excellent condition. Marble has been cracked, but it has a fine repair. Marble separates from table. Has a coppery/bronze finish.
Marble, Iron
Antique French Gilt Bronze-Mounted Mahogany Side Table
By Jean-Henri Riesener
Located in London, GB
The beautiful neoclassical style designs of Jean-Henri Riesener (1735-1806), perhaps the most celebrated cabinetmaker of all time, are the inspiration for this wonderful antique side...
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
$2,256Sale Price / set|56% Off
Neoclassical Italian Mid-Century Black and White Urn End Tables, circa 1960s
By Gio Ponti
Located in Camden, ME
A Neoclassical pair of mid century Italian black and white painted wooden urn based side tables with aquamarine glass tops. The 1960's end tables with hand-painted white gladiators...
Glass, Fruitwood
Italian Early 19th Century Neo-Classical St. Cherry and Ebony Side Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exceptional and uniquely shaped Italian early 19th century Neo-Classical st. cherry and ebony side table. The table is raised by a square mottled support with concave sides and decorative half round rosettes at each corner all above topie shaped legs. At the base is a central reserve bordered by four 'S' shaped supports. At the circular apron is a concave design with ebony borders. The top has a sunburst marquetry...
Cherry, Ebony
$1,200Sale Price|33% Off
Neoclassical Style Black Lacquered X-Crossed Leg Table
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Neoclassical style black lacquered X-crossed leg table. Lovely black lacquer side table in the chic spirit of Hollywood Regency, elegant X-legs. Price ...
Wood
Fine Italian Ebonized and Marquetry Inlaid Low Table
Located in Sheffield, MA
A fine Italian ebonized and marquetry. Inlaid low table. 19th century. The rectangular top with marquetry inlaid throughout over a frieze with three dovetailed drawers all resting o...
Wood
Italian 19th Century Neoclassical St. Model of Francois Briot's, Temperantia
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most decorative Italian 19th century neo-classical st. ormolu side table, after a model by François Briot's, Temperantia, Temperance Dish. The table ...
Ormolu
Neoclassical Marble Top Oval Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An elegant Neoclassical, fruitwood, oval side table with gilded bronze lions head and carved, ebonized paws. The door conceals a shelf and storage space. Veined marble top. From the ...
Marble, Bronze
Italian Late 19th Century Neoclassical St. Mahogany Marble Specimen Side Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An outstanding and extremely decorative Italian late 19th century Neo-Classical st. mahogany marble specimen side table. The table is raised on thr...
Marble