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Neoclassical Armchairs

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
Material: Upholstery
18th Century Carved and Painted Neo-Classical Chair
Located in Dallas, TX
Gorgeous and rare carved and painted Neo-Classical style chair. Upholstered in 1958 in Fortuny. An exceptional piece!!
Category

18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Pair of Neoclassical Style Painted Armchairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Materials: Painted Wood, Original Upholstery
Category

1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

19th Century Set of 2 Armchairs
Located in Lučenec, SK
A beautiful set of two armchairs in a stunning blue. It may be of interest that this set was manufactured as a custom order and the customer had made a funny variation in one of the ...
Category

Mid-19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Gilt Armchair after Thomas Chippendale - Two Available
Located in London, GB
An exceptional George III style giltwood armchair, after one of Thomas Chippendale's most beautiful models. Two armchairs available - select quantity 2 to purchase both armchairs. E...
Category

Early 20th Century British Neoclassical Armchairs

Materials

Giltwood, Upholstery

Pair of Antique French 19th Century Neoclassical Louis XVI Carved Armchairs
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Beautifully carved exquisite neoclassical pair of walnut French chairs handcrafted in the early 19th century. Each chair consists of an elegantly carved wood frame with acanthus lea...
Category

19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Fine Pair of Neoclassical Armchairs
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite pair of armchairs features high, rounded backrests and C-shaped armrests. They stand on octagonal legs with leaf capitals and bases as well as sabre legs. The intricat...
Category

1820s Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery, Cherry, Fruitwood

Pair of Neo Classical Style Painted and Gilt Decorated Armchairs
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Pair of Northern European neo classical style painted and gilt decorated armchairs, circa 1970's. With scroll shaped crest rail, serpentine shaped back as seen from sides upholstere...
Category

1970s Unknown Vintage Neoclassical Armchairs

Materials

Gold Leaf

20th c. Pair of Swedish Neoclassical Birch Armchairs with Damask Upholstery
Located in Morristown, NJ
20th c., Swedish Neoclassical birch armchairs with pale damask upholstered seats, unmarked. These chairs are simply lovely. The sinuous lines of the arms and the crisp carved details...
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Neoclassical Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery, Birch, Fabric

Woodard Chantilly Rose Wrought Iron Tete a Tete, Pair Arm Chairs
Located in Stamford, CT
This is the classic vintage Woodard Chantilly Rose wrought iron Tete a Tete - a pair of attached arm chairs with a small round glas...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Armchairs

Materials

Wrought Iron

Pair of Neo Classical Style Beech Wood Armchairs
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Pair of neoclassic style beechwood armchairs, circa 1930s. The back with a black incised crest rail and ebonized spindles, an upholstered seat, down swept arms resting on vase shaped...
Category

1930s European Vintage Neoclassical Armchairs

Materials

Lacquer, Upholstery, Beech

Set of 4 Italian Neoclassic Piedmontese Silver Giltwood Upholstered Armchairs
Located in New York, NY
SET of 4 Italian neoclassic (18/19th century) Piedmontese silver giltwood armchairs with a fluted arched back, concave scroll arms, the back and seat upholstered in a gray two-tone t...
Category

18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs

Materials

Wood, Fabric, Upholstery, Giltwood

French Restoration Mahogany and Parcel Gilt Armchair
Located in New York, NY
The tub-form padded back covered in a herringbone rainbow silk jacquard with reeded gilt crest rail terminating in scrolls and issuing two Downs-swept arms with gilt reeding and foli...
Category

1820s French Antique Neoclassical Armchairs

Materials

Abalone, Silk, Upholstery, Foam, Mahogany

Antique Pair of Neoclassic Style Armchairs, Italy
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Italian pair of Neoclassical style armchairs from the early 20th century. This antique pair of accent chairs from Italy are each carved with n...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Set of Four 19th Century French Walnut Carved Neoclassical Dining Armchairs
Located in Hopewell, NJ
A classic set of four French neoclassical walnut armchairs dining room chairs from the early 19th century, with carved splat, back and arms, fluted legs and new upholstery. Handmade in France during the first quarter of the 19th century, each of this set of four museum quality chairs...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Pair of Salvatore Leone for Thonet Bentwood Cane Armchairs
Located in Denton, TX
Pair of early bentwood and cane armchairs made by Salvatore Leone for Thonet in Modena, Italy. Rare pair of armchairs featuring a transitional style with a turned wood back support and iconic Thonet "Cafe Daum...
Category

20th Century European Neoclassical Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery, Cane, Beech

Set of Ten Mid-19th Century Norwegian Upholstered Birch Armchairs
Located in Middleburg, VA
Rare Set of Ten Neoclassical armchairs. Elegant form with saber legs and simple arms . Made of beautiful golden colored birch. Extremely comfortable. Recently reupholstered . Denmark...
Category

Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Neoclassical Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery, Birch

Royal Classic Blue Armchair in Damask and Walnut Finish by Modenese Interiors
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Excellency could not go further than this special collection of the noble blue living room furniture set. The curve shape seat is inviting an...
Category

2010s Italian Neoclassical Armchairs

Materials

Marble, Silver Leaf, Gold Leaf

Pair of Wide Mahogany Armchairs by Baker with Jack Lenor Larsen Textile
Located in Dorchester, MA
From the Baker Furniture Company, this pair of capacious mid-century armchairs features wide curved frames of mahogany loosely inspired by the Far East. The seat and center backrest ...
Category

1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Armchairs

Materials

Brass

Pair of Vintage Italian Scroll Back Armchairs
Located in Forney, TX
A stunning one-of-a-kind pair of hand carved and painted antique Italian Neoclassical rollback scrolled arm chairs completely restored in contemporary 21st century styling with a modern Anglo-Indian taste. Each chair featuring an overflowing scroll back and arm, distressed antique cream painted...
Category

Late 20th Century Neoclassical Armchairs

Materials

Metal

Modern Classic Elizabeth I Armchair in Carved Wood and Patinated Fine Gold Leaf
Located in Oporto, PT
Inspiration: This is one of the most premium armchairs of Bessa´s collection. Worthy of the grandeur of an empire, it is made with the most premium fabrics on the market, admirably h...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Armchairs

Materials

Gold, Gold Leaf

Bespoke Gilded Armchair in Ivory Capitonne and Lion Carvings
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Luxury capitonne armchair with unique lion foot carved design. The seats are in mixed fabric and leather pattern. The capitonne upholstering is elegant in shape but yet very comforta...
Category

2010s Italian Neoclassical Armchairs

Materials

Marble, Gold Leaf

Classic Capitonne Armchair in Ivory Velvet Fabric by Modenese Gastone
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Comfort and uniqueness can be found in most of Modenese's furniture, but this armchair will give you a little extra comfiness with the special inner support inside, a special velvet ...
Category

2010s Italian Neoclassical Armchairs

Materials

Gold Leaf

High-End Gilded Two Seater Beige Sofa by Modenese Luxury Interiors
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Bright up and indulge your living space with this beige & gold bespoke sofa of two seats. A classic shape is enhanced with clean neutral tone, pleated texture, capitonné back and a plush seat cushion. Accompanied with the elegant matching gold damask fabric on over the seat and upholstered around the back of the sofa. Splendidly standing on the specially gilded lion sofa...
Category

2010s Italian Neoclassical Armchairs

Materials

Marble, Silver Leaf, Gold Leaf

Baker Furniture Klismos Collection Neoclassical Burlwood Chairs, Set of 10
Located in Countryside, IL
Baker Furniture Klismos Collection Neoclassical Burlwood Dining Chairs - Set of 10 Each chair measures: 24 wide x 24 deep x 38 inches high, w...
Category

2010s American Neoclassical Armchairs

Materials

Burl, Upholstery

Soft Classic Italian Capitone Armchair in Ivory and Gold Leaf Lacquer Finish
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Marvelous grey satin armchair with capitone buttons. This seating features a wooden structure decorated in ivory and gold leaf lacquer finish. Modenese Gastone represents the appropr...
Category

2010s Italian Neoclassical Armchairs

Materials

Silver Leaf, Silver, Gold Leaf

Neoclassical Period Walnut Armchair with Fluted Tapering Legs, Italy, ca. 1790
Located in Atlanta, GA
Neoclassical period walnut armchair with fluted tapering legs, Italy ca. 1790.
Category

Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Pair of Ebonized Gold Decorated Carving Frames Neoclassical Armchairs
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of neoclassical decorator chairs silk like fabric upholstery.
Category

20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery, Hardwood

Italian Neoclassic Gold Armchairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Italian neoclassic (Neopolitan 18th century) open arm chairs with square fluted tapered legs and carving on back rail with gold upholstered seat and back.
Category

18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery, Giltwood

Pair of Italian Neoclassical Walnut Acanthus Upholstered Armchairs, Circa 1850
Located in Hollywood, SC
Pair of Italian neoclassical walnut arm chairs with upholstered squared backs, flanking scrolled acanthus arms, upholstered seats with brass tacks, and terminating on turned bulbous ...
Category

1850s Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs

Materials

Brass

Italian Venetian Style Bergére Arm Chair
Located in New York, NY
Italian Venetian-style (19th Century) white and gold painted and carved high back bergère with white upholstery.
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery, Giltwood

Pair of Italian Walnut Bergere Upholstered Armchairs, Circa 1780
Located in Hollywood, SC
Pair of Italian Walnut Bergere armchairs with carved molded reeded edges, floral corner decorative finials, flanking scrolled arms, floral corner rosettes, and terminating on the ori...
Category

1780s Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs

Materials

Silk, Upholstery, Walnut

19th Century Italy Cockpit Chair in Turned Walnut, Restore and Finish Shellac
Located in Vigonza, Padua
19th century, Italy cockpit chair in turned walnut, restore and finish shellac new upholstery Measures cm: H 70\45 W 67 D 67.
Category

1880s Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Pair of Russian Neoclassic Painted and Parcel Gilt Armchairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Russian Neoclassic (early 19th Century) parcel gilt and dark green painted armchairs with scrolled arms with bird heads and red damask silk upholstered seats. (PRICED AS Pair...
Category

19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs

Materials

Wood, Upholstery, Giltwood

Pair of Russian Neoclassic Painted and Parcel Gilt Armchairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Russian Neoclassic (early 19th Century) parcel gilt and dark green painted armchairs with scrolled arms and red damask silk upholstered seats. (PRICED AS Pair) (Similar to: 0...
Category

19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery, Giltwood, Wood

Pair of Italian 18th Century Neoclassical Painted and Parcel-Gilt Armchairs
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A pair of Italian neoclassical period painted and parcel-gilt armchairs from the late 18th century, with padded backs, out-curved arms, gilt medallions, fluted tapering legs and upho...
Category

18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs

Materials

Wood, Upholstery

Pair of Italian Neoclassic Style '19th Century' Open Armchairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Italian neoclassic style '19th century' maple open armchairs with carved black lacquered mermaid on arms and beige upholstery.  
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery, Maple

Pair of Italian Walnut Needlepoint Arm Chairs, 18th century
Located in Hollywood, SC
Pair of Italian walnut armchairs with arched top, floral carved scrolled arms, original needlepoint, and terminating on bulbous turne...
Category

18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Pair of Russian Oak Carved Armchairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Russian (mid 19th Cent) oak carved Armchairs having a steeple form high back with an applied upholstered back panel, seat and arm rests
Category

19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs

Materials

Oak, Upholstery

Pair of Russian Mahogany Scroll Armchairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Russian (19th Cent) mahogany open scroll design Armchairs with gilt carved trim on back and arms and an upholstered seat
Category

19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs

Materials

Gold Leaf

Italian Neo-Classic Pink Stripe Arm Chair
Located in New York, NY
Italian Neo-classic (18th Cent) Piedmontese grey painted open arm chair with scroll carved arms and square tapered legs upholstered in pink stri...
Category

18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs

Materials

Paint, Upholstery, Wood

Set of 4 Italian Fruitwood Gold Arm Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Set of 4 Italian Neo-classic (19th Century) fruitwood open arm chairs with front carving & rounded arms with a woven style gold upholstered seat and back
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs

Materials

Fruitwood, Upholstery

Pair of Swedish Neoclassic Striped Armchairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Swedish Neoclassic patinated composition & birch Armchairs with sleigh form back & seat upholstered in red & blue striped cotton. ...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Armchairs

Materials

Birch, Upholstery

Louis XVI design Fautueil constructed in Walnut, Italy c. 1780
Located in Atlanta, GA
A fine Louis XVI period Fauteuil, with Neoclassical carved designs throughout the exposed Walnut frame. Dating from the fourth quarter of the 1700s, and Italian in origin. The ov...
Category

Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Italian Neo-Classical Style Walnut and Ebony Arm Chairs with Lions, Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of walnut and ebony arm chairs with neo-classical style frames. The steak walnut almost gives them a Biedermeier look and feel. The vintage upholstery is in very good ...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery, Ebony, Walnut

Neoclassical armchairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Neoclassical armchairs 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 armchairs created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, building and garden elements, folk art and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Neoclassical armchairs 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 armchairs, popular names associated with this style include Carpanese Home Italia, GF Modern, Greenapple, and Modenese Gastone. 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 armchairs differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $350 and tops out at $88,000 while the average work can sell for $4,800.

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