Neoclassical Wood Loveseats

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.

Antique and vintage loveseats are functional and totally charming furniture in homes large and small these days. They first appeared in the 17th and 18th centuries, though they were not yet known by this endearing term.

These petite, two-seat sofas were originally intended to comfortably sit a woman clad in what were the era’s large and elaborate dresses — ornate hooped garments with copious folds of fabric, embroidery and lace. However, because the original seats featured just enough space for two, they quickly became popular for couples that were courting. Loveseats meant that the couples could engage in close conversation, but furniture makers ensured that there was enough space between sitters to prioritize modesty.

In the early days of loveseats, the furnishings were minimalist in appearance and could often be found in an s-shape, with the two sides facing each other. The spare seating was initially little more than a wooden bench, as loveseats weren’t yet upholstered or cushioned. Design of the seating evolved over time, and this wide chair was eventually padded and tufted for comfort. During the 1800s, loveseats were a luxurious addition to the homes of the wealthy, and even today, antique 19th-century loveseats are still quite alluring. In any lavishly decorated parlor of the Victorian era, you might find a pair of partygoers tucked into a particularly plush iteration of these cozy perches, one boasting arched crests of carved mahogany over its sculpted seats, with front cabriole legs resolving in paw feet.

In modern homes, loveseats — even antique Victorian loveseats — pair well with oversize sofas or are ideal replacements for sofas, particularly if you’re working on organizing and furnishing a smaller space. A loveseat is a stylish addition to a home library or a reading nook and can easily be situated at the foot of the bed in your bedroom. In the living room, you may wish to position your vintage loveseat and couch around a central focal point, such as a distinguishing architectural feature or a fireplace. But be sure to leave some walking room between your seating and any nearby coffee tables or side tables. Allow for around two feet for guests to pass between a couch and chair or loveseat and at least a foot between a loveseat and coffee table.

Find a wide variety of antique, new and vintage loveseats today on 1stDibs.