Neoclassical Seating
NEOCLASSICAL STYLE
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.
3
752
184
37
to
91
775
191
973
851
875
41,115
23,251
8,846
4,157
1,537
1,440
1,230
1,099
973
943
811
735
710
637
518
473
362
234
89
276
387
221
66
145
97
10
15
10
37
27
30
18
17
9
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
586
439
195
240
179
219
177
203
176
190
174
190
771
442
232
174
145
536
273
232
218
100
24
20
15
14
11
Style: Neoclassical
Camel Back Garden Bench
Located in Sturminster Marshall, Dorset
An exceptional Georgian Camel back design carved teak slatted back garden bench. Exterior seat pads can be supplied if required. Seat pad upholstered in cli...
Category
18th Century British Antique Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Teak
1880s Italian Chairs Neoclassic Eclectic Hand Carved Walnut Leather Upholstered
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Stunning original and sturdy 1880s Italian Chairs Eclectic in hand-carved walnut, real antique red leather upholstered.
About Italian Style: Neocl...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Leather, Walnut
Pair of Russian Mid 19th Century Neoclassical St. Mahogany & Giltwood Armchairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exceptional and extremely unique pair of Russian mid 19th century neo-classical st. Mahogany and giltwood armchairs. Each chair is raised by elegantly curved legs with beautiful g...
Category
19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Mahogany, Giltwood
Swedish Side Chair - London Mist
Located in Westwood, NJ
Swedish side chair in light London mist finish, with pristine forms and clean lines capable of dressing a dining space up or down with ease. With a molded slat back and a delightfull...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Wood
Set of 13 Fine French Neoclassical Dining Chairs
Located in Long Island City, NY
Set of 13 fine French Neoclassical cherry wood dining chairs in an Empire-Directoire style with carved and blackened wood details.
Category
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Cherry
Classic Tufted 3 Seater Sofa
Located in Westwood, NJ
Classic Tufted 3 seater sofa, With a tufted and rolled backrest and arms, with a two-boxed seat cushion, wonderful detail nailheads and turned and taper...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary North American Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Leather
Italian Gilt Metal Floral Bench
Located in New York, NY
Italian Gilt Metal Floral Bench. The frame is gilt metal, black painted with gold floral arrangements. Original seat fabric. Made in Italy. There is a...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Metal
Cerused Oak Neoclassical Style Benches Pair
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Cerused oak neoclassical style benches or loveseats. The benches have newly covered fabric seats with each having 8 legs.
Category
1990s Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Fabric, Oak
Folding Iron Bed
Located in Buchanan, NY
French iron bed, circa 1900, made to be used against the wall. This bed is not for sale, for rental only. Additional pillows and fabrics are available ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Iron
Pair of Neoclassical Style White and Polychrome Hall Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Each with an oval back in the form of a pierced fan paterae centered by a gilt floral roundel and edged in gilt; the dished seat with gilt banding raised on front square tapering leg...
Category
20th Century European Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Wood
Greek Key Stool
Located in Sturminster Marshall, Dorset
A Hepplewhite design stool or coffee table. The buttoned upholstered top above a fine Greek key frieze, supported by eight fine tapered and fluted legs. Fini...
Category
18th Century British Antique Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Brass
TOMLINSON 1960's Neoclassical Upholstered Dining Armchairs - Pair
By Tomlinson
Located in Charlotte, NC
A pair of Mid 20th Century Neoclassical style upholstered dining armchairs by Tomlinson Furniture. Walnut with their Tokay finish, slight ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Fabric, Walnut, Burl
Neoclassical Solid Brass Italian Chiavari Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian brass chair in neoclassical style from the 1950 s. The chair seat is vine color . We have one more chair slightly different size.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Brass
Hepplewhite Sofa
Located in Sturminster Marshall, Dorset
A fine Hepplewhite design parcel gilded sofa with arched shaped serpentine crest rail, straight front rail and fine tapered and fluted legs. This sofa is classically upholstered and although appearing formal in design, is extremely comfortable, with secret hidden...
Category
Late 18th Century British Antique Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Serpentine
George II Library Wing Chair
Located in Sturminster Marshall, Dorset
A fine and well-drawn George II design country house library/drawing room wing chair. This chair is unusual in that it has extremely generous proporti...
Category
18th Century British Antique Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Feathers
George II Giltwood Banquet Chair
Located in Sturminster Marshall, Dorset
A fine George II gilt-wood banquet chair with a classical rake to the back on acanthus and shell carved legs terminating in a carved hairy paw claw foot...
Category
18th Century British Antique Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Giltwood
Mid-Century Italian Majolica Neoclassical Style Garden Seat Stool
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Spectacular Mid-Century Modern Italian Majolica garden seat stool made in the neoclassical taste. The heavy stool has a square form decorated with a subtle...
Category
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Majolica, Pottery
GREGSON Mid 20th Century Black Vinyl Office Chair
Located in Charlotte, NC
A vintage Traditional style office side chair by Gregson Manufacturing, of Liberty, North Carolina, USA. Solid walnut frame with black faux leather (...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Metal
Classic Tufted Curved Back Sofa
Located in Westwood, NJ
Classic tufted curved back bench seat sofa. Curvaceous and shapely, with traditional elements like button-tufting and decorative nailhead trim, this ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood
18th Century Painted Venetian Settee
Located in Rochester, NY
`Antique 18th century Venetian settee in beautifully aged old painted and worn parcel gilded surface. Early construction. Losses to gilding showing und...
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
19th Century Russian Empire Period Neoclassical Salon Suite
Located in Forney, TX
A rare and most impressive five-piece Russian neoclassical partial gilt carved wood upholstered salon suite.
Born in the 19th century, during the ...
Category
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Silk, Mahogany, Giltwood
Dining Chairs Ellipse Upholstered Red Velvet Handmade Portugal Greenapple
By Greenapple, GF Modern
Located in Lisboa, PT
Ellipse Chair, Modern Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by GF Modern.
The Ellipse chair is a classic and comfortable piece for any occasion...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Brass, Stainless Steel
French Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gorgeous, antique pair of French arm chairs in the neoclassical style.
Each chair consists of an elegantly carved wood frame with a distressed paint finish and new linen upholstery....
Category
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Linen, Wood, Paint
Plitman Banquet Chair
Located in Sturminster Marshall, Dorset
The Plitman banquet chair is a mahogany dining chair hand carved in the Chippendale style and upholstered with client’s own fabric.
Bespoke sizing, d...
Category
16th Century British Antique Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Mahogany
Classic Skirted Slipper Chair in Hot Pink Velvet with Contrast Velvet Back
Located in Greenwich, CT
About this piece
Made to order skirted slipper chair. As shown with cotton velvet and cut velvet contrast outside back.
How we work
Made t...
Category
2010s American Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
André Arbus Pair of Ash Wood Neoclassical Armchairs, 1940s
By André Arbus
Located in Paris, IDF
These elegant André Arbus armchairs are sure to add an element of French neoclassicism chic to any room in your home. They were designed and prod...
Category
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Brass
Pair of 18th Century Silver Leaf and Painted Venetian Side Chairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of 18th Century silver leafed and hand painted Venetian side chairs. Seat inserts are covered in leather. Excellent condition for their age. S...
Category
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Silver Leaf
Neoclassical Italian Leather Armchairs Wicker Accent Dining by HOOKER
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description be sure to click on CONTINUE READING at the bottom of this listing.
Offering One Of Our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Furniture Acquisitions of
Hooker Neo...
Category
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Leather, Wicker, Wood
Vintage Painted Neoclassical Style Curule Bench
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Curule-form bench, having a padded, crown seat of onyx-printed linen with nailheads, on an ivory painted frame showing natural wear, its fielded apron centered with an acanthus-flank...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Wood
Grand Pair of Northern European Armchairs
Located in Greenwich, CT
Pair of Northern European mahogany and bronze mounted Neoclassical armchairs of great scale and design, early 19th Century and in the Neo-Grecian manner, the slightly scrolled back o...
Category
1830s European Antique Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Fabric, Mahogany
Fine Set Of Eight Neoclassical Style Dining Chairs With Red Silk Upholstery
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A particularly elegant set of Chairs with a very interesting and somewhat complex Neoclassical styling. With four arm and four side chairs. Fine wood frames in a dark stain with scro...
Category
20th Century Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Wood
Six Neoclassic Caned and Decorated Adam Style Dining Chairs
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive set of six dining chairs having two armchairs and four sides, crafted with mahogany in a neoclassic Adam style with painted decoration...
Category
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Cane, Mahogany
Dining Chairs Ellipse Upholstered Beige Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
By GF Modern, Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Ellipse Chair, Modern Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by GF Modern.
The Ellipse chair is a classic and comfortable piece for any occasion...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Brass, Stainless Steel
Chiavarina Chairs in Cherry Wood and Straw Seat, Early 20th Century, Set of Four
Located in Parma, IT
Set of 4 classic "Chiavarina" chairs early 20th century.
Cherry wood frame with "crosse" backrest, turned front legs and "saber" back legs "seat with "willow laths" fine stuffing. E...
Category
1920s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Straw, Cherry
Greenapple Chair, Ellipse Chair, Set 6 Chairs, Blue-Grey, Handmade in Portugal
By Greenapple, GF Modern
Located in Lisboa, PT
Set of 6 Ellipse chairs, Modern Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by GF Modern.
The Ellipse chair is a classic and comfortable piece for an...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Brass, Stainless Steel
Classic Tufted Curved Back Sofa - Blue
Located in Westwood, NJ
Classic tufted Curved back bench seat sofa. Curvaceous and shapely, with traditional elements like button-tufting and decorative nailhead trim, this ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Italian Neoclassical Lyre Back Chairs, Circa 1800
Located in Rochester, NY
Pair of antique Italian Neoclassical hand carved lyre back side chairs with rosette carving at center of curved top back rails. Both chairs with early period construction and nicely ...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
18th Century Dutch Inlaid Walnut Side Chairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
18th Century Dutch inlaid side chairs. Strong and sturdy, but delicate with different exotic inlaid woods. Ball and claw foot motif. Back...
Category
18th Century Danish Antique Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Wood
Antique Pair of Neoclassic Style Armchairs, Italy
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Italian pair of Neoclassical style armchairs from the early 20th century. This antique pair of accent chairs from Italy are each carved with n...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of Baker Neoclassical Style Chairs
Located in Houston, TX
A Classic and handsome pair of baker neoclassical style occasional chairs newly upholstered in a creamy white ecru velvet with black grosgrain detai...
Category
20th Century Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Wood, Giltwood
Early 20th-C. Neo-Classical Style Carved Mahogany Bench with Eagles
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a fantastic bench! It is a neo-classical style carved Italian piece newly upholstered in a flax linen. The supports are wonderful hand carved eagles. It is in very good condi...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
André Arbus Pair of Ash Wood Neoclassical Armchairs, 1940s
By André Arbus
Located in Paris, IDF
These elegant André Arbus armchairs are sure to add an element of French neoclassicism chic to any room in your home. They were designed and prod...
Category
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Brass
18th C. Pair of Italian Neoclassical Paint Decorated Armchairs
Located in Charleston, SC
Grand Pair of 18th Century Italian Neoclassical Paint Decorated Armchairs. These gracefully designed chairs are supported by two tapered square back legs and two carved rosettes abov...
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Wood
Early 19th Century Italian Curule Walnut Bench
Located in Charleston, SC
Elegant Neoclassical Italian bench, circa 1815, with a curulean frame and coral suede upholstery was made in the early 19th Century. A rel...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Walnut
Pair of English 1900s Neoclassical Style Painted and Gilt Chairs with Feathers
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of English Neoclassical style painted wood side chairs from the early 20th century with parcel gilt décor and carved feather motifs. Created in England at the Turn of the Century which saw the transition between the 19th to the 20th, this pair of Neoclassical style side chairs draws our attention with their shield-style backs adorned with mesmerizing giltwood feathers...
Category
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Wood, Linen, Upholstery
XXth Century, Pair of Italian Neoclassical Style Lacquered Wood Stools
Located in IT
This gorgeous pair of stools was made in Piedmont (northern Italy) in the early twentieth century in Neoclassical style. Their structure is in carved wood and lacquered in shades of ...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Wood
1900s Italian Giltwood Armchairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of finely carved 1900s. Possibly late 19th Century. Giltwood armchairs. Possibly English, but most likely Italian. Upholstery is new. Fabric is high end designer in an Asian mot...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Wood, Giltwood
19th-C. Italian Neo-Classical Style Carved Walnut Arm Chair with Swan Form Arms
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is an exceptional piece! It is a 19th century Italian neo-classical style carved walnut arm chair with swan form arms. The gilding is worn...
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Linen, Walnut
19th Century Italian Side Chairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Early 19th Century painted Italian low side chairs. Newly upholstered in aqua velvet. Flower garland and urn motif.
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Velvet, Wood, Paint
Early 19th Century American Mahogany Chair Back Window Bench
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Neoclassic chair back window seat with upholstered box seat in Honduran mahogany. Note the defining carved back rail.
American, New York, circa 1815.
Category
1810s American Antique Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
Jacques Adnet Neoclassic High Back Side Chair
Located in Hudson, NY
This tall back, neoclassic side chair is attributed to French designer Jacques Adnet circa 1945. The tight back and seat is enhanced with an appliqued decorative banding front and ba...
Category
Mid-20th Century European Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Fine Italian Style Giltwood Bench
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very fine wood carved Italian style giltwood bench. Upholstered in Janet Yonati silk velvet. Fine vintage reproduction.
Category
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Velvet, Wood, Giltwood
Jansen Paris Giltwood Bench
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1930s to 1940s Giltwood bench. Strong and sturdy. Signed into the wood "Jansen" with numerals. Covered in an embroidered fabric.
Category
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Wood, Giltwood
Set of Six Fine and Rare Walnut Klismos Style Chairs with Cane Seat
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Notable Italian made set of chairs with classic Klismos form in walnut with gilt inlay carved inset back panels and hand-caned seats. The attention to detail in the construction is v...
Category
Early 20th Century European Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Cane, Walnut
Tufted Club Chair in Blue Linen Fabric with Turned Wood Legs and Nailhead Trim
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Lewis club chair shown in blue linen fabric with tufted back and self covered buttons. All hair filled and stitched upholstery with hand carved dark m...
Category
2010s American Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Linen, Mahogany
Set of Ten Mid-19th Century Norwegian Upholstered Birch Armchairs
Located in Middleburg, VA
Rare Set of Ten Neoclassical armchairs. Elegant form with saber legs and simple arms . Made of beautiful golden colored birch. Extremely comfortable. Recently reupholstered . Denmark...
Category
Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Birch
Early 19th Century Venetian Armchairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of 18th century Venetian armchairs. Newly-upholstered in designer fabric. Heavy for their size. Comfortable.
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Wood, Giltwood
Neo Classic Mahogany Dining Chair
Located in Westwood, NJ
Modern Neo Classic mahogany side chair, the flame veneered bar top rail and solid splat above an upholstered seat, on square tapering legs.
Dimensions: 20" W x 25" D x 37" H.
Seat 19...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Wood
Neoclassical seating for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Neoclassical seating for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage seating created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, building and garden elements, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Neoclassical seating made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original seating, popular names associated with this style include Carpanese Home Italia, Modenese Gastone, Greenapple, and GF Modern. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for seating differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $300 and tops out at $225,000 while the average work can sell for $3,861.
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
French Chairs With Rush Seating
Gold Chrome Chairs
Herman Miller Light
Vintage Aluminum Outdoor Furniture
Vintage Asian Chair
White Leather Desk Chair
Blue Dining Chairs Lacquer
Charlotte Perriand On Sale
Curved Dining Sofa
Formal Dining Table And Chairs
Italy Walnut Desk Chair
Oval French Chairs
Set Of 4 Rattan Chairs
Tobacco Leather Chair
Used Outdoor Furniture Cushions
Blue Shell Chair
Cantilever Black Leather
Charles Fritz