Neoclassical Armchairs
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.
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Armchairs
Upholstery, Wood
Early 1900s Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Gold Leaf
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Armchairs
Maple, Oak, Walnut
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Maple
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Armchairs
Brass, Steel
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Armchairs
Linen, Wood, Paint
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Armchairs
Leather, Bamboo
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Armchairs
Leather, Wood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Fabric, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Armchairs
Linen, Wood
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Armchairs
Wool, Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Armchairs
Leather, Mahogany
1820s Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Upholstery, Cherry, Fruitwood
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Armchairs
Fabric, Wood
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Armchairs
Alpaca
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Armchairs
Wood
20th Century American Neoclassical Armchairs
Suede, Mahogany
1830s Danish Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Fabric, Mahogany
1810s Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Mahogany
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Armchairs
Wood
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Bronze
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Armchairs
Leather, Fabric, Wood
19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Oak, Upholstery
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Upholstery, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Armchairs
Leather, Wood
1980s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Armchairs
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Armchairs
Upholstery, Mahogany
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Armchairs
Walnut, Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Armchairs
Wood
1820s Russian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Mahogany, Silk
2010s Portuguese Neoclassical Armchairs
Fabric, Bouclé, Foam, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Armchairs
Cane, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Armchairs
Upholstery, Wood
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Armchairs
Wicker, Wood
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Armchairs
Metal
1830s Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Silk, Wood, Paint
1980s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Armchairs
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Armchairs
Leather
Early 19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Giltwood
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Armchairs
Cane
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Armchairs
Faux Leather
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Kingwood, Satinwood, Walnut
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Upholstery, Wood
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Armchairs
Silk, Upholstery, Cane, Wood, Giltwood
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Armchairs
Linen, Walnut
19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Gold, Brass
Early 19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Metal
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Armchairs
Brass
1780s Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Silk, Upholstery, Walnut
Early 19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Walnut
20th Century American Neoclassical Armchairs
Wood, Lacquer
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Armchairs
Leather, Wood
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Armchairs
Leather, Oak
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Armchairs
Brass, Steel
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Velvet
20th Century Neoclassical Armchairs
Silk
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Armchairs
Leather
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Beech
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Wood
1930s Spanish Vintage Neoclassical Armchairs
Upholstery, Hardwood





