Neoclassical Desks and Writing 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 Portuguese Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Marble, Silver Leaf
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Marble, Silver Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Stone
20th Century French Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze, Stainless Steel
1840s Italian Antique Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
1760s Italian Antique Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut, Pine
20th Century French Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze, Steel, Stainless Steel
20th Century English Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
Early 20th Century European Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze
1990s Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Marble
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Mother-of-Pearl, Hardwood
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Oak
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Metal, Iron, Gold Leaf
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
Early 20th Century European Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Poplar
1970s European Vintage Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Iron
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1810s Spanish Antique Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Ormolu
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Marble, Carrara Marble
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Early 1800s Italian Antique Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
2010s American Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Pine
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Czech Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Oak
20th Century American Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze
Early 19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
1860s American Antique Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Birdseye Maple
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze, Stainless Steel
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Cherry
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Other
20th Century French Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Quartz, Brass, Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Wood
18th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Iron, Other
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Early 20th Century North American Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Late 18th Century Austrian Antique Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
20th Century French Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze