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
Period: 18th Century and Earlier
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
Neoclassical Style Green-Painted Armchairs, 2
Located in New York, NY
Neoclassical Style Green-Painted Armchairs, two associated, one in the French Louis XVI taste with carved crest rail above an upholstered back with down swept acanthus carved arms a...
Category
18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Materials
Wood
Seating group, France c. 1790
Located in Greding, DE
Three-piece seating group consisting of two armchairs (95 x 66 x 64 x 45 cm) and one large armchair (97 x 98 x 70 x 45 cm) made of mahogany. The group is covered with a green fabric....
Category
18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Mahogany
Italian, Toscana, Shaped & Carved Walnut Open Armchair, Rush Seat, late 18th cen
Located in Atlanta, GA
having a barrel shaped backrest, the splat with open carving and the top with a detailed carved rosette, the arms splaying slightly outward and raised on curved supports, having a ru...
Category
1790s Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Materials
Walnut
Three Neoclassical Armchairs, Baltic States, Late 18th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Set of three neoclassical armchairs made of mahogany with brass decoration and diamond-shaped strutting in the backrest. The chairs stand on square tapered legs with H-shaped struts....
Category
Late 18th Century Baltic Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Materials
Fabric
Pair Of Eighteenth Century Venetian Painted Armchairs
Located in Essex, MA
Transitional with a shaped arched upholstered back and seat raised on square tapered legs. Wonderful original painted surface with a light green and painted with floral sprays and gi...
Category
1760s Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Materials
Wood
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
Pair of Italian Neoclassical Painted Armchairs
Located in Essex, MA
A fine pair of chairs with unusual shaped backs and seats. With blue paint, gilding and Etruscan painted decoration. Raised on square tapered legs....
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Materials
Walnut
18th Century Pair of Italian Neoclassical Lacquered Wood Armchairs
Located in IT
18th Century pair of Italian Neoclassical Lacquered wood armchairs.
Measurements: cm H 108 x W 73 x D 77, seat cm H 46 x D 51 x W 61.
This elegan...
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Materials
Wood
18th C. Pair of Italian Neoclassical Paint Decorated Armchairs
Located in Charleston, SC
Grand Pair of 18th Century Italian Neoclassical Paint Decorated Armchairs. These gracefully designed chairs are supported by two tapered square back legs and two carved rosettes abov...
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Materials
Wood
18th Century Original Black Painted Ladder Back Armchair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fine hand made ladder back chair has the original rush seat and original black painted surface. The condition is very good and sturdy with a fine aged patina.
Category
Late 18th Century American Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Materials
Pine
Pair of Italian Neo-Classic Gold Armchairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Italian neo-classic (Neopolitan 18th Cent) open Armchairs with square fluted tapered legs and carving on backrail with gold upholstered seat and back.
Category
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Materials
Gold
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 18th Century Italian Carved and Painted Neoclassical Armchairs
Located in Essex, MA
Pair of 18th century Italian painted and carved neoclassical armchairs
Carved and paint decorated all over, top rail with center profile bust medallion, serpentine arms, twist arm...
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Materials
Beech
Armchair by ES and Stool Neoclassical 18th Century Sweden Gilded and Green
Located in New York, NY
An armchair made during the 18th century in Sweden. Attributed to the royal chair maker Ephraim Stahl. Gilt wood with green details. Upholstered in a Pierre Frey.
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Materials
Giltwood
Pair of Italian Piedmontese Rounded Back Carved and Upholstered Armchairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Italian Piedmontese (c.1785) open arm chairs with a rounded back having a carved floral crest, the frame carved with wheat, and the legs having a twisted fluting with light g...
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Materials
Wood
Pair of Neoclassical Walnut Armchairs, Italy, 18th Century
Located in San Francisco, CA
A pair of neoclassical carved walnut fauteuils with carved lyre shape backsplat, sitting on carved and fluted legs. Recently re-upholstered, Northern Italy, 18th century.
Category
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Materials
Walnut
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 Swedish Gustavian 18th Century White and Green Armchairs, Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Swedish Gustavian 18th century white and green armchairs. Pair of beautiful armchairs made in Sweden during the transition of 18th and 19th century. White painted with green ...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Pair of Danish 18th Century Neoclassical White Painted Armchairs
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
Each with an oval padded back above a large oval drop-in seat, both covered in striped woven silk and flanked by carved scrolled and padded arms, the apron carved with a Vitruvian sc...
Category
Late 18th Century Danish Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Materials
Wood
Neoclassical Period Pair of Ashwood Armchairs with Carved Lyre Splat, circa 1790
Located in Atlanta, GA
Italian neoclassical pair of ashwood armchairs with carved lyre splat, circa 1790.
Category
1790s Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Materials
Ash
Pair of 18th Century Italian Armchairs
Located in New York, NY
Low, deep, and wide, this pair of armchairs is exceptionally comfortable, and the gold and black color scheme is very dramatic. What’s most distinctive about them from a design point...
Category
1790s Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Materials
Wool, Wood
Pair of George III Mahogany Armchairs
Located in Essex, MA
Oval upholstered back with oval carved paterae and bellflower crestrail , carved downswept arms and serpentine upholstered seat raised on stop fluted tapered square legs , spade feet.
Category
1770s English Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Materials
Other
Pair of 18th Century Italian Walnut Chairs
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of 18th century Italian walnut chairs.
Outstanding large pair of antique Italian Louis XVI walnut chairs, armchairs or fauteuils ...
Category
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
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
Pair of Antique Italian Neoclassical Style Armchairs
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Pair of antique 17th century neoclassical style armchairs with original walnut finish (restored condition). Inside back, seat and arms uphol...
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Walnut
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 18th Century Russian Neoclassical Period Mahogany Parcel-Gilt Armchairs
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A pair of Russian Neoclassical period mahogany parcel-gilt armchairs from the second half of the 18th century, with palmette motifs, black upholstered seats with nailhead trims and scrolled foliage. Each of this exquisite pair of Russian armchairs...
Category
18th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Materials
Wood, Mahogany
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 Neo-Classic Silver Gilt Arm Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Set of 4 Italian Neo-classic (18th Cent) silver gilt arm chairs with carved fluted design oval back, seat rail and legs with upholstered seat & back.
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Materials
Silver Leaf
Set of Four North Italian Neoclassic Cream Painted and Parcel Gilt Armchairs
Located in Sheffield, MA
A Set of Four North Italian Neoclassic
Cream Painted & Parcel Gilt Armchairs
Late 18th Century
Upholstered in cream leather
Height 39 in. Width 24 in. Depth 19 in.
Provenanc...
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
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
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 18th century Italian Walnut & Cane Fauteuils, ca. 1790
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of walnut and cane fauteuils in the neoclassical form, dating from the end of the 18th century and Italian in origin.
William Word Fine Antiques: Atlanta's source for anti...
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Materials
Walnut
18th century Pair of Italian Large Wood Armchairs
Located in IT
18th century Pair of Italian Large Wood Armchairs
Measures: cm W 83 x D 90 x H 96; seat cm H 55 x W 72 x D 70
This pair of armchairs was made in t...
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Materials
Giltwood
George III Mahogany Oval Back Carved Armchair
Located in New York, NY
Upholstered in a chinoiserie red silk damask; the oval back finely carved with stop-fluting and issuing outswept padded armrests finely carved bellflower garlands; raised on tapering...
Category
1760s English Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Materials
Damask, Mahogany
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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