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.
2010s Romanian Neoclassical Armchairs
Velvet, Wood, Beech, Feathers
1810s French Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Mahogany
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Armchairs
Fabric, Wood
1940s Vintage Neoclassical Armchairs
Velvet, Beech
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Armchairs
Fabric, Wood, Lacquer
Mid-19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Upholstery, Wood
Early 20th Century British Neoclassical Armchairs
Giltwood, Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary English Neoclassical Armchairs
Mohair, Velvet
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Maple
2010s Romanian Neoclassical Armchairs
Velvet, Beech
Early 2000s Italian Neoclassical Armchairs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Armchairs
Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf
18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Fabric, Mahogany
Late 18th Century Baltic Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Fabric
1820s German Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Elm
2010s Portuguese Neoclassical Armchairs
Brass
1870s Dutch Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Damask, Walnut
1880s British Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Wood
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Armchairs
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Armchairs
Gold Leaf
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Armchairs
Brass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Armchairs
Brass
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Wood
1890s Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Fabric, Wood
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Beech
2010s Italian Neoclassical Armchairs
Marble, Silver Leaf, Gold Leaf
2010s Portuguese Neoclassical Armchairs
Leather, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Armchairs
Leather, Fabric, Wood
2010s Italian Neoclassical Armchairs
Marble, Gold Leaf
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Armchairs
Gold, Gold Leaf
2010s Italian Neoclassical Armchairs
Gold Leaf
2010s Italian Neoclassical Armchairs
Marble, Silver Leaf, Gold Leaf
2010s Italian Neoclassical Armchairs
Silver Leaf, Silver, Gold Leaf
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Armchairs
Leather, Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Armchairs
Leather, Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Armchairs
Wood, Leather, Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Armchairs
Leather, Wood, Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Armchairs
Wood, Leather, Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Armchairs
Fabric, Wood, Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Armchairs
Metal
1950s European Vintage Neoclassical Armchairs
Oak
1940s Czech Vintage Neoclassical Armchairs
Walnut
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Armchairs
Straw, Cherry
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Mahogany
2010s Italian Neoclassical Armchairs
Brass
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Straw, Oak
1940s Czech Vintage Neoclassical Armchairs
Walnut
Late 18th Century Danish Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Wood
1870s German Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Walnut
1850s German Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Gold Plate
Late 19th Century Scottish Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Leather, Mahogany, Giltwood
Late 19th Century Scandinavian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Beech
1880s Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Upholstery, Walnut
1970s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Armchairs
Wood
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Leather, Walnut
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Armchairs
Wood
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Giltwood