Neoclassical Side Chairs
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.
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Style: Neoclassical
1960s Italian Pair Of Lacquered Armchairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Spectacular, 1960s pair of Italian lacquered armchairs with velvet seats.
The chairs have been professionally lacquered in an off-white color-way and the seats have been reupholste...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Velvet, Wood, Lacquer
Italian Neoclassical Lyre Back Chairs, Circa 1800
Located in Rochester, NY
Pair of antique Italian Neoclassical lyre back side chairs with carved rosette design at center of curved top back rails.
Circa 1800. Look at all pictures and read condition report ...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of American Mahogany Upholstered Slip Seat Gondola Chairs, c. 1830-35
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Pair of American neoclassic mahogany and figured mahogany veneered slip seat gondola chairs in the French Restoration taste. The boxed slip seat is fitted to a bowed mahogany front s...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
Swedish Gustavian Period Chair Pair
Located in Savannah, GA
Set of two Swedish chairs with classical lotus pattern back splats, a design often attributed to the chair makers of the Stockholm Guild. The chair splats have the carved crest also ...
Category
1790s Swedish Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Silk, Walnut
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 Side Chairs
Materials
Wood, Giltwood
Pair of Boston late Classical slip seat mahogany side chairs, 1830-45
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Pair of American mahogany and figured mahogany veneered late Classical upholstered slip seat side chairs. The chairs feature a shaped & pierced crest rail and back rail. Chestnut sec...
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Chestnut, Mahogany
Connecticut Valley rush seat painted Hitchcock side chair, 1830
Located in Kenilworth, IL
American Hitchcock rush seat side chair with a tie-on seat cushion. The chair features the original gilt and bronze powder stencil decoration on the double cornucopia back splat as w...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Set of Six 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 Side Chairs
Materials
Cane, Walnut
Painted Neoclassical Side or Desk Chair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Painted Neoclassical side or desk chair with laurel wreath & studs.
Category
20th Century Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Wood
Gilt Brass Chiavari Chair Neoclassical Style
Located in Hanover, MA
Neoclassical style gilt brass Chiavari chair with original claret red velvet upholstery, circa 1955.
The brass has a gilt wash or gold plating giving it an extra rich and refinied ap...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Brass
Neo-Classical Style Satinwood William Switzer Game Table Side Chairs, S/4
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a handsome set of neo-classical style satinwood side chairs by William Switzer out of Canada. The frames are in great shape but the vintage upholstery is not. They are except...
Category
Late 20th Century Canadian Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Satinwood
Pair of 19th Century Maple Side Chairs with Rush Seats
Located in Huntington, NY
A pair of 19th century maple side chairs with rush seats.
Seats with remnants of paint. Frames tightened. Chairs touched up & polished.
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Rush, Maple
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 Side Chairs
Materials
Wood, Linen, Upholstery
Pair of Italian Piedmontese Rounded Back Carved and Upholstered Armchairs
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Italian Piedmontese (c.1785) open arm chairs with a rounded back having a carved floral crest, the frame carved with wheat, and the legs having a twisted fluting with light g...
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Wood
Pair of Neoclassical Side Chairs, Wrapped Metal, Rams Heads, European, Gustavian
Located in Manhasset, NY
Pair of Gustavian or Neoclassical side chairs can be used in any room. Each having fully metal wrapped frames with Finely carved rams heads on the back rests. The finely wrapped metal frames with rose, vine and leaf design tacked securely upon the frames. Enormous time and detail went into the construction of this fine pair of chairs...
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Metal
Pair of Neoclassical Black Painted Side Chairs with Woven Seats, Italy ca. 1790
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of Neoclassical Black Painted Side Chairs with Woven Seats, Italy circa 1790. These period chairs feature rounded tapered legs and a un...
Category
1790s Italian Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Wood
Circa 1835 Set of 6 American Late Classical Period Tiger Maple Side Chairs
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
A fine set of 6 American late Classical period tiger maple side chairs, c. 1835. New England origin. Raised on ring turned, tapered legs with vasiform terminals. Cane sears in excell...
Category
1830s American Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Cane, Maple
Pair of Italian Neoclassical Style Backless Hall Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Opulent pair of Italian hall chairs made in the neoclassical style. The chairs feature a backless design having decorative molded raised arms ending with large greek keys topped...
Category
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Faux Leather, Wood
Set of Four American Classical Painted Faux Grain Rosewood & Caned Dining Chairs
Located in Southampton, NY
Set of four American Classical painted faux grain rosewood & caned dining chairs -
A really lovely set of four chairs with faux painted rosewood design on the back and legs with deli...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Rosewood
Pair Of Fine Neoclassical Style Lyre Back Side Chairs
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Possibly Italian. Elegant side chairs with curved and scrolled crest rails with reeded bands. The lyre form splats with finely carved scrolled leafy sides and a center palmette and l...
Category
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Pair of French Neoclassic Upholstered Seat Side Chairs, c. 1795-1810
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Pair of French neoclassic upholstered seat side chairs. The chairs are defined by sabre front and raked rear legs which support an upholstered boxed seat. The splayed upper leg posts...
Category
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Cherry
Custom Bobbin Arm Side Chair with Caned Seat by Dos Gallos Studio
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Custom bobbin chair with caned seat. These chairs are made in Alder with a variety of finishes. Can be made with a caned seat or with an upholst...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Walnut
Pair of French Neoclassical Painted Louis XVI Side Chairs
Located in Hopewell, NJ
French neoclassical giltwood dining chairs featuring a compound shaped rectangular back, carved foliate crest, ornate painted frame with decorative embellishments, padded back and se...
Category
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Suite of Three Italian Neoclassical Polychrome Painted Side Chairs, circa 1780
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Suite of three Italian neoclassical polychrome painted side chairs, circa 1780
Antique, excellent and rare suite of three Northern Italian (probably Venice) Neoclassical side chai...
Category
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Wood
Michael Taylor Teak Klismos Chair
Located in San Francisco, CA
Michael Taylor was a iconic interior designer, and also designed
a number of pieces of furniture.
The Klismos design dates back to Ancient Egyptian chairs as well
as Ancient Greek. ...
Category
Early 2000s American Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Teak
Set of three American upholstered seat mahogany side chairs, 1800-1810
By Duncan Phyfe
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Set of three American mahogany upholstered seat side chairs on reeded sabre legs with flared feet. The London cabinetmakers book of this period describes a scroll back chair with a bell-shaped seat and sweeping Grecian front legs with a hollow below the cross banister. The description fits these chairs and identifies them as a popular model in New York, circa 1800-10. In these examples, the reeded upper rear leg posts frame a solid crest rail over a horizontal back rail & lower banister rail. The seat frames and corner blocks are tulip poplar with white pine medial brace and oak rear seat rail. Fragmented nailers were spliced with new poplar and mahogany surfaces were cleaned and finished in shellac. Seats have been reupholstered in a Scalamandre damask fabric...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany, Oak
214K chair by Micheale Thonet for Thonet
By Thonet, Michael Thonet
Located in Ravenna, IT
The famous coffee chair designed by Michael Thonet in 1859 is still considered the world's most successful industrial product. It marks the beginning of the history of modern furnitu...
Category
Early 2000s German Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Reed, Hardwood
Early Brass Charivari Chair, Italy 1930's
Located in New York, NY
A very early Charivari chair, it is made of cast hollow brass elements silver welded together unlike the later solid brass ones, more unusual is its pierced brass seat, most likely m...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Brass
Antique 19th C. French Empire Regency Mahogany Side Chair with Bronze Ormolu
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Early 19th Century French Empire Regency Mahogany Side Chair with Bronze Ormolu. Item features finely cast bronze ormolu, rounded back with carved top rail, beautiful crotch mahogany...
Category
Early 19th Century Unknown Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Bronze
Early 19th Century Baltic Neoclassical Side Chair
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a superb example of a solid mahogany carved and inlaid Danish or Baltic side chair of Klismos form. The chair has been refinished at some point. The quality of the carving, i...
Category
Early 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Velvet, Mahogany
Single Neoclassical Side Chair
Located in New York, NY
A single Neoclassical side chair.
Karelian Birch frame with curved legs and upholstered seat.
Category
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Birch
Neoclassical Marquetry Desk Chair in the Style of Giuseppe Maggiolini, Italy
Located in Dallas, TX
A spectacular Italian Neoclassical style desk chair, in the manner of Giuseppe Maggiolini, late 19th c. Exquisite marquetry veneer in rosewood, satinwood and other decorative woods. Front fully decorated with intricate inlaid marquetry foliate designs, back featuring a centered foliate cartouche and corner cartouches rising on four elegant squared tapering legs finished with the original brass castor cups.
The shape and the inlaid designs are similar to those on pieces of furniture produced by Giuseppe Maggiolini (1738-1814), the foremost cabinet-maker in late 18th-century Milan. Maggiolini and his workshop specialized in marquetry scenes inspired by antiquity, based on drawings by late 18th-century artists and designers such as Andrea Appiani...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Brass
Pair of 19th Century Italian Neoclassical Side Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of 19th century Italian neoclassical side chairs. Gold leaf and painted wood frame with linen upholstered seats.
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Gold Leaf
Hollywood Regency Faux Bois Cane Dining Armchair Bright Green Upholstery
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A beautiful wood faux bois armchair with cane back and bright green upholstered seat. A Hollywood Regency staple, faux bois furniture is a highly ...
Category
20th Century American Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Cane, Wood
Lovely Pair of Painted 18th century Neoclassical Side Chairs
Located in Hopewell, NJ
1790 French Neoclassical beautiful original grey painted side chairs with traces of old gilding, carved with acanthus leaves, wheat and urns. Reeded legs.
Category
18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Wood
Rare Neoclassical Style Side Chair with Caduceus Crest
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Very rare caduceus carved back to a traditional neoclassical style side chair. The richly historical and ancient Caduceus symbol features ...
Category
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Wood
Wonderful Set of Five French Gold Gilt Carved Harp Lyre Back Regency Side Chairs
Located in Roslyn, NY
Wonderful set of FIVE (5) French gold gilt carved harp lyre back regency neoclassical dining or living room ladies side chairs
Sold per chair
Measu...
Category
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Giltwood
Pair of French 1900s Side Chairs with Caned Seats
Located in Buchanan, NY
An exceptional pair of French 1900s neoclassical style side chairs with caned seats and brass detailing. This pair of neoclassical style s...
Category
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Wood, Wicker
Continental Neoclassical Style Mahogany Side Chair
Located in Southampton, NY
Continental neoclassical style mahogany side chair. Made in beautiful mahogany wood with an upholstered blue-gray-colored moire silk sea...
Category
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Mahogany, Burl
Pair of Italian Neo-Classic Black Painted & Gilt Upholstered Dining Side Chairs
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Italian Neo-Classic (18th Century) black painted side chairs with curved backs ahaving rectangular tops carved with two-wreathed swags, with upholstered back and seat in blac...
Category
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Giltwood
Pair of Steel and Gilt Metal Hall Chairs
Located in Stamford, CT
An attractive pair of steel and gilt metal side chairs with black leather seats. Sold in pairs. Four available.
Category
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Steel
Pair of Klismos Early 19th Century Ebonized Side Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Klismos Early 19th Century ebonized side chairs.
Ebonized wood.
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Wood
19th Century Chinoiserie Queen Anne Style Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Nicely detailed Queen Anne chair. Seat was originally can but now hard upholstered in new mohair. Strong and sturdy.
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Mohair, Wood, Paint
Pair of Italian Genoese Carved Parcel Gilt Side Chairs, circa 1820-30
Located in Spencertown, NY
The pair of side chairs come from the Palazzo Tursi, Genoa. Residence of King Vittorio Emanuele and Queen Maria Teresa. Probably designed by Carlo Randoni (1755-1831). They are uphol...
Category
1820s Italian Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Wood
Pair of Mahogany Neoclassical Style Armchairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of mahogany, Neoclassical style armchairs with painted inlay back. Hand painted inlay features cherub and leaf details. Tapered legs and black back spindles. Great age and patin...
Category
1930s American Vintage Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of Italian Neoclassical Side Chairs with Swans and Lyre from the 1850s
Located in Atlanta, GA
This pair of Italian Neoclassical style walnut side chairs from the mid-19th century features slightly concave pierced backs, marrying perfectly the sitter's body. On each chair, the...
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
Set of 8 Russian Neo-Classic Mahogany Green Chairs
Located in Queens, NY
Set of 8 Russian Neo-classic mahogany & brass mounted side chairs with green leather upholstered seats & backs and brass filigree panel and fruitwood inlaid trim (early 19th Cent)
Category
Early 19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Brass
Fine Pair of Neoclassical Side Chairs, 1st Half 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
An elegant pair of Italian Neoclassical mahogany chairs adorned with patinated brass mounts from Italy. These chairs feature bold saber shaped legs and vertical lyre shaped back supp...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Brass
Continental Neoclassic Mahogany Side Chairs
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Continental neoclassic style mahogany side chairs with squared back and pierced vertical splat above turned legs. (possibly Italian, 19th century).
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of Italian Neoclassical Painted Side Chairs Great Form and Patina
Located in Buchanan, MI
A pair of Italian neoclassical painted side chairs
19th century. Amazing form and carving, lovely old patina. Priced per chair.
Measures: Height 34 1/2 inches.
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Giltwood
Pair of 19th Century Italian Carved and Painted Side Chairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Newly upholstered in turquoise color high-end fabric. Strong. Sturdy. Comfortable.
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Wood, Paint
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 Side Chairs
Materials
Velvet, Wood, Paint
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 Side Chairs
Materials
Silver Leaf
Pair Neoclassical Style Side Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair neoclassical style side chairs. The chairs have black lacquered wood frames, a decorative gold pattern with a round bronze insert to ...
Category
1960s Vintage Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Bordeaux Velvet + Gilded Iron Sculptural Side Chairs, 20th Century
Located in Chicago, IL
A pair of vintage sculptural side chairs featuring intricate gilded iron frames with high backs and elegant scroll motifs. Rich, bordeaux hued velvet upholstery beautifully complemen...
Category
20th Century Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Iron
Mid-19th Century Pair French Provincial Wooden Chairs Yellow Linen
Located in Brescia, IT
These fine French Mid-19th Century wooden chairs have an eclectic style and with theirs yellow linen upholstery they can give a touch of brig...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
19th Century Chiavarine Chairs Turned Walnut with Hand-Carved Seat
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Elegant Mid-19th century Chiavarine side chairs in turned walnut and with hand-carved seat, restored and finished to wax
Measure cm: H 101\47 x W 45 x D 45.
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Walnut
21st Century Green and White Deluxe Chair by Modenese Gastone
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Created by the skilled craftsmen of Modenese Gastone Interiors, this dining chair, part of the Deluxe collection, presents a curved wooden structure with white finish, silver leaf ap...
Category
2010s Italian Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf
Neoclassical side chairs for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Neoclassical side chairs 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 side chairs created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, building and garden elements, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Neoclassical side chairs 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 side chairs, popular names associated with this style include Chiavari, Casa Bique, Conant Ball, and Dos Gallos Studio. 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 side chairs 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 $2,950.