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.
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 authentic neoclassical furniture today on 1stDibs.
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Armchairs
Velvet, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Armchairs
Velvet, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Armchairs
Gold Leaf
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Armchairs
Gold Leaf
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Armchairs
Leather, Beech, Wood
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Armchairs
Fabric, Giltwood
1880s British Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Wood
20th Century Neoclassical Armchairs
Fabric, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Armchairs
Wrought Iron
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Upholstery, Wood
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Velvet, Wood, Giltwood
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Wood, Fabric, Upholstery, Giltwood
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Giltwood, Paint
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Brass
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Armchairs
Metal, Brass
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Armchairs
Steel
1990s American Neoclassical Armchairs
Fruitwood
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Armchairs
Iron, Wrought Iron
1820s French Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Abalone, Silk, Upholstery, Foam, Mahogany
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Brass
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Giltwood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Armchairs
Brass, Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Armchairs
Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf, Brass
20th Century Neoclassical Armchairs
Giltwood
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Walnut
Early 2000s American Neoclassical Armchairs
Faux Leather, Fiberglass
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Armchairs
Brass
Late 19th Century British Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Giltwood
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Armchairs
Maple, Oak, Walnut
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Fabric, Wood, Paint
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Armchairs
Oak
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Armchairs
Oak
20th Century American Neoclassical Armchairs
Suede, Mahogany
1820s German Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Elm
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Armchairs
Leather
20th Century American Neoclassical Armchairs
Brass
Early 19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Giltwood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Armchairs
Cane, Wood
1940s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Armchairs
Velvet, Wood
19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Mahogany, Giltwood
1820s American Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Cherry
20th Century Neoclassical Armchairs
Wood, Paint, Linen
20th Century American Neoclassical Armchairs
Leather, Hardwood
1830s European Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Fabric, Mahogany
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Upholstery, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Armchairs
Linen, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Armchairs
Fabric, Walnut, Burl
20th Century European Neoclassical Armchairs
Upholstery, Cane, Beech
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Armchairs
Wood, Giltwood
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Armchairs
Upholstery, Wood
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Wood, Giltwood
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Armchairs
Linen, Wood, Paint
Early 2000s American Neoclassical Armchairs
Chrome
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Armchairs
Upholstery, Ebony, Walnut
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Silk, Hardwood, Giltwood
Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Upholstery, Birch
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Wood, Fabric
20th Century Neoclassical Armchairs
Upholstery, Wood