Beige Neoclassical Chairs
Antique 18th Century British Neoclassical Chairs
Feathers
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Chairs
Brass, Stainless Steel
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Neoclassical Dining Room Chairs
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Chairs
Linen, Poplar
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Chairs
Brass
Antique 1770s English Neoclassical Chairs
Other
Antique 1790s Italian Neoclassical Armchairs
Ash
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Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XV Sofas
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Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Canapes
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Antique 1860s Spanish Neoclassical Dining Room Tables
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Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
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Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
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Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Lounge Chairs
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Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Side Chairs
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2010s Canadian Modern Lounge Chairs
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2010s Canadian Modern Lounge Chairs
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Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Bergere Chairs
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Antique 19th Century English Dining Room Tables
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Vintage 1930s French Louis XVI Lounge Chairs
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Late 20th Century American Chippendale Sofas
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Antique 18th Century French Louis XV Sofas
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Antique Mid-19th Century American Neoclassical Patio and Garden Furniture
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Vintage 1980s Italian Neoclassical Chairs
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Vintage 1980s Italian Neoclassical Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1980s Italian Neoclassical Chairs
Metal
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Dining Room Chairs
Brass, Steel
20th Century American Neoclassical Dining Room Chairs
Wrought Iron
Antique 19th Century English Neoclassical Side Chairs
20th Century American American Classical Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1940s French Neoclassical Chairs
Brass
20th Century American American Classical Lounge Chairs
Rattan
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Chairs
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Chairs
Vintage 1960s American Neoclassical Chairs
Lacquer, Velvet, Wood
Antique 19th Century Russian Neoclassical Chairs
Antique Late 18th Century Italian Neoclassical Armchairs
Antique Mid-19th Century French Neoclassical Chairs
Wood
Antique Late 18th Century Italian Neoclassical Chairs
Vintage 1950s Italian Neoclassical Chairs
Chrome, Nickel
Antique 19th Century Swedish Neoclassical Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage 1950s Italian Neoclassical Chairs
Wrought Iron
Vintage 1970s Italian Neoclassical Chairs
Brass
Antique Late 18th Century English Neoclassical Chairs
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Russian Neoclassical Armchairs
Beige Neoclassical Chairs For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Beige Neoclassical Chairs?
A Close Look at Neoclassical Furniture
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.
Finding the Right Chairs for You
Chairs are an indispensable component of your home and office. Can you imagine your life without the vintage, new or antique chairs you love?
With the exception of rocking chairs, the majority of the seating in our homes today — Windsor chairs, chaise longues, wingback chairs — originated in either England or France. Art Nouveau chairs, the style of which also originated in those regions, embraced the inherent magnificence of the natural world with decorative flourishes and refined designs that blended both curved and geometric contour lines. While craftsmanship and styles have evolved in the past century, chairs have had a singular significance in our lives, no matter what your favorite chair looks like.
“The chair is the piece of furniture that is closest to human beings,” said Hans Wegner. The revered Danish cabinetmaker and furniture designer was prolific, having designed nearly 500 chairs over the course of his lifetime. His beloved designs include the Wishbone chair, the wingback Papa Bear chair and many more.
Other designers of Scandinavian modernist chairs introduced new dynamics to this staple with sculptural flowing lines, curvaceous shapes and efficient functionality. The Paimio armchair, Swan chair and Panton chair are vintage works of Finnish and Danish seating that left an indelible mark on the history of good furniture design.
“What works good is better than what looks good, because what works good lasts,” said Ray Eames.
Visionary polymaths Ray and Charles Eames experimented with bent plywood and fiberglass with the goal of producing affordable furniture for a mass market. Like other celebrated mid-century modern furniture designers of elegant low-profile furnishings — among them Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Finn Juhl — the Eameses considered ergonomic support, durability and cost, all of which should be top of mind when shopping for the perfect chair. The mid-century years yielded many popular chairs.
The Eameses introduced numerous icons for manufacturer Herman Miller, such as the Eames lounge chair and ottoman, molded plywood dining chairs the DCM and DCW (which can be artfully mismatched around your dining table) and a wealth of other treasured pieces for the home and office.
A good chair anchors us to a place and can become an object of timeless appeal. Take a seat and browse the rich variety of vintage, new and antique chairs on 1stDibs today.