Neoclassical Natural Fiber Chairs
20th Century American American Classical Chairs
Rush, Mahogany
Vintage 1940s American American Classical Chairs
Wicker
Vintage 1950s American Neoclassical Armchairs
Wicker, Wood
Antique 19th Century American Classical Chairs
Rush, Wood, Paint
Antique Early 19th Century American American Classical Side Chairs
Rush, Maple
21st Century and Contemporary American American Classical Chairs
Cane
Vintage 1980s American Neoclassical Chairs
Leather, Wicker, Wood
Vintage 1920s Italian Neoclassical Chairs
Straw, Cherry
20th Century American American Classical Chairs
Fabric, Cane, Wood
Vintage 1940s Italian Neoclassical Chairs
Wicker, Wood
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21st Century and Contemporary Asian Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and...
Metal
Vintage 1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1950s American Chairs
Iron
Vintage 1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Leather, Mahogany
Vintage 1940s French Rustic Dining Room Chairs
Rush, Oak
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Nickel, Steel
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirrors
Rattan
Antique 19th Century French Victorian Bottles
Wicker, Straw, Rattan, Glass
Antique Early 19th Century French Country Wardrobes and Armoires
Wood, Pine
Antique Early 1900s American Late Victorian Chairs
Wicker
Antique 19th Century American Windsor Chairs
Pine
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Windsor Chairs
Upholstery, Oak
Vintage 1920s American American Craftsman Windsor Chairs
Wood
Vintage 1920s American American Craftsman Windsor Chairs
Wood
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Console Tables
Wicker, Upholstery
Antique 1890s English Chinoiserie Side Chairs
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
Recent Sales
Antique Late 18th Century Italian Neoclassical Chairs
Cane, Walnut
Mid-20th Century American American Classical Chairs
Rattan
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Chairs
Faux Bamboo, Cane, Wood
Antique 19th Century Italian Neoclassical Chairs
Cane, Wood
Antique 19th Century American Classical Chairs
Rush, Wood, Paint
Antique 19th Century English Neoclassical Chairs
Rattan, Mahogany
20th Century American American Classical Dining Room Chairs
Rush, Wood
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Dining Room Chairs
Brass
1990s American American Classical Stools
Rattan, Wood
Antique 18th Century English Neoclassical Side Chairs
Cane, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century English Neoclassical Armchairs
Velvet, Cane, Wood
Antique Early 19th Century Italian Neoclassical Dining Room Chairs
Cane, Fruitwood
Mid-20th Century Austrian Neoclassical Chairs
Straw, Beech
Antique Early 19th Century French Neoclassical Chairs
Wicker, Wood
Antique Early 19th Century French Neoclassical Chairs
Wicker, Wood
20th Century American Neoclassical Side Chairs
Iron, Gold Leaf
Vintage 1950s American Neoclassical Armchairs
Wicker, Wood
20th Century American Neoclassical Chairs
Silk, Cane, Wood, Paint
Antique 1820s American Neoclassical Side Chairs
Rush, Wood
20th Century American American Classical Lounge Chairs
Rattan
Antique 19th Century English Neoclassical Dining Room Chairs
Cane, Rosewood
Antique Late 18th Century Italian Neoclassical Chairs
Cane, Wood
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Italian Neoclassical Chairs
Walnut, Cane
Vintage 1950s Italian Neoclassical Side Chairs
Wood, Cane
Neoclassical Natural Fiber Chairs For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Neoclassical Natural Fiber 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.