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.
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Upholstery, Wood
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Armchairs
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Upholstery, Wood
Early 20th Century British Neoclassical Armchairs
Giltwood, Upholstery
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Upholstery, Walnut
1820s Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Upholstery, Cherry, Fruitwood
1970s Unknown Vintage Neoclassical Armchairs
Gold Leaf
1950s Swedish Vintage Neoclassical Armchairs
Upholstery, Birch, Fabric
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Armchairs
Wrought Iron
1930s European Vintage Neoclassical Armchairs
Lacquer, Upholstery, Beech
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Wood, Fabric, Upholstery, Giltwood
1820s French Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Abalone, Silk, Upholstery, Foam, Mahogany
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Armchairs
Upholstery, Wood
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Upholstery, Walnut
20th Century European Neoclassical Armchairs
Upholstery, Cane, Beech
Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Upholstery, Birch
2010s Italian Neoclassical Armchairs
Marble, Silver Leaf, Gold Leaf
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Armchairs
Brass
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Armchairs
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Armchairs
Gold, Gold Leaf
2010s Italian Neoclassical Armchairs
Marble, Gold Leaf
2010s Italian Neoclassical Armchairs
Gold Leaf
2010s Italian Neoclassical Armchairs
Marble, Silver Leaf, Gold Leaf
2010s American Neoclassical Armchairs
Burl, Upholstery
2010s Italian Neoclassical Armchairs
Silver Leaf, Silver, Gold Leaf
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Upholstery, Walnut
20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Armchairs
Upholstery, Hardwood
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Upholstery, Giltwood
1850s Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Brass
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Upholstery, Giltwood
1780s Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Silk, Upholstery, Walnut
1880s Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Upholstery, Walnut
19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Wood, Upholstery, Giltwood
19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Upholstery, Giltwood, Wood
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Wood, Upholstery
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Upholstery, Maple
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Upholstery, Walnut
19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Oak, Upholstery
19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Gold Leaf
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Paint, Upholstery, Wood
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Fruitwood, Upholstery
19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Birch, Upholstery
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Upholstery, Walnut
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Armchairs
Upholstery, Ebony, Walnut