Neoclassical Side 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.
1910s Unknown Vintage Neoclassical Side Tables
Beech
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Side Tables
Marble, Brass
20th Century American Neoclassical Side Tables
Marble, Iron
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Side Tables
Burl
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Neoclassical Side Tables
Walnut
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Side Tables
Brass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Side Tables
Brass
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Side Tables
Carrara Marble, Brass
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Side Tables
Brass
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Side Tables
Brass
1990s European Neoclassical Side Tables
Wood
Early 1900s Indonesian Antique Neoclassical Side Tables
Wood
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Side Tables
Marble, Metal, Brass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Side Tables
Brass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Side Tables
Brass
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Side Tables
Brass, Steel
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Side Tables
Mahogany
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Side Tables
Mahogany
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Side Tables
Brass, Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Side Tables
Wood, Paper, Glass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Side Tables
Glass, Wood, Paper
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Side Tables
Marble, Ormolu
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Side Tables
Wood
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Side Tables
Brass
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Side Tables
Metal, Brass
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Side Tables
Brass
1810s Italian Antique Neoclassical Side Tables
Walnut
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Side Tables
Marble, Brass, Steel
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Side Tables
Brass
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Side Tables
Marble, Brass, Iron
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Side Tables
Granite
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Side Tables
Glass, Wood, Beech
1990s American Neoclassical Side Tables
Wood
1830s Italian Antique Neoclassical Side Tables
Walnut
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Side Tables
Bronze
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Side Tables
Fabric, Glass, Hardwood, Paint
1920s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Side Tables
Brass
1950s Unknown Vintage Neoclassical Side Tables
Metal
1980s Colombian Vintage Neoclassical Side Tables
Bone, Beech
1920s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Side Tables
Beech
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Side Tables
Brass, Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Neoclassical Side Tables
Formica, Oak
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Side Tables
Burl
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Side Tables
Bronze
Late 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Side Tables
Walnut
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Side Tables
Marble, Wrought Iron
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Side Tables
Marble, Iron
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Side Tables
Silver Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Side Tables
Wood
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Side Tables
Wood
Early 1900s Italian Antique Neoclassical Side Tables
Walnut
2010s Italian Neoclassical Side Tables
Metal
2010s Italian Neoclassical Side Tables
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Side Tables
Glass, Walnut, Burl
1950s British Vintage Neoclassical Side Tables
Marble, Bronze
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Side Tables
Marble
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Side Tables
Brass, Steel
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Side Tables
Brass, Steel