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
Recognized Seller Listings
Northern European Neoclassical Armchair
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine early 19th mahogany neoclassical armchair, possibly designed by Carl Freidrich Schinkel, the crest rail with carved griffin, the arms having carved and faux patinated bronze eag...
Category
1820s German Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Materials
Mahogany
Forest Green Charles Dudouyt Captain Chair, France 1950s
Located in New York, NY
Solid oak armchair with stacking detail in original patina and upholstery.
Category
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Armchairs
Materials
Oak
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
Set of 4 Italian Neo-classic Style Leather Upholstered Armchairs
Located in New York, NY
Set of 4 Italian Neo-classic-style (19th Century) armchairs with curved upper backrests followed by 2 fluted X-stretchers, and scroll arms, with padded seats upholstered in black lea...
Category
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Armchairs
Materials
Metal, Brass
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
1940s Pair of Armchairs by André Arbus
By André Arbus
Located in Paris, FR
A beautiful variation from a set commissioned in 1945 by Georges Fontaine, administrator of the Mobilier national, for the layout of Jacques Jaujard'...
Category
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Armchairs
Materials
Oak
Grand Pair of Northern European Armchairs
Located in Greenwich, CT
Pair of Northern European mahogany and bronze mounted Neoclassical armchairs of great scale and design, early 19th Century and in the Neo-Grecian manner, the slightly scrolled back o...
Category
1830s European Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Mahogany
Rare Pair of French Directoire Fauteuils en Curule, Paris, circa 1800, G. Jacob
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
These finely sculpted fauteuils supported by curule-form bases, reflect the 'antique' influence of the excavations at Pompeii and Herculaneum during the 18th century. This form based on the antique Roman sella...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Materials
Mahogany
Armchair Swedish Black Neoclassical, 19th Century Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Armchair Swedish black neoclassical, 19th century, Sweden. An armchair made in Sweden during the 19th century in the neoclassical style. Black paint...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
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
Italian Neo-Classic Style 19th Century White and Gold Arm Chair
Located in New York, NY
Italian neo-classic style 19th Century white and gold painted round back carved arm chair with front scroll design and gold damask upholstery.
Category
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Materials
Wood
Pair of English Mahogany and Leather Armchairs in the Neoclassical Style
Located in London, GB
A fine pair of armchairs in the neoclassical in the manner of Robert Adam
Constructed in mahogany with hand-painted gilt accents and red leather, each with oval backs enclosed wit...
Category
Late 19th Century Scottish Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Mahogany, Giltwood
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
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
American Aesthetic Inlaid Gilt Armchair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Printed suede American aesthetic inlaid gilt and upholstered 1930s armchair.
Measures: Arm 22 in
Seat 15.5 in.
Category
1930s American Vintage Neoclassical Armchairs
Materials
Suede
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
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 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
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
Italian Neoclassic Style White and Gold Painted Carved Armchair
Located in New York, NY
Italian neoclassic style white and gold painted round back carved armchair with front scroll design and gold damask upholstery (19th century).
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Materials
Damask, Giltwood
Italian Neoclassic Maroon Lacquer and Gold Damask Upholstery Armchair
Located in New York, NY
Italian Neoclassic-style (19th Century) X design maroon lacquered armchair with gilt floral trim and gold damask upholstery.
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Materials
Wood
12 Italian Neo-Classic Wooden Arm Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Set of 12 Italian Neoclassic-style gilt wood arm chairs with a round back with a carved circle design & upholstered tan leather seats.
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Armchairs
Materials
Giltwood
Pair of Russian Neoclassical Mahogany Armchairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Russian neoclassical brass-mounted mahogany armchair, 19th century.
Category
19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Materials
Mahogany
Set of 4 Austrian Neoclassic Fruitwood Arm Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Set of 4 Austrian Neoclassic fruitwood inlaid walnut arm chairs upholstered in beige satin with sleigh back above swan arm supports and reeded turned legs (c.1820) (Original Upholste...
Category
19th Century Austrian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Materials
Satin, Fruitwood, Walnut
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 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 Russian Mahogany Foliate Armchairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Russian (1st ¬Ω 19th Cent) mahogany Armchairs with upholstered seat & carved foliate & rosettes on corner of back with sabre form front legs (Matching 6 SIDE CHAIRS: REG0922)
Category
1820s Russian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Materials
Silk, Mahogany
Pair of Russian Neo-Classic Walnut Armchairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Russian Neo-classic walnut armchairs with parcel gilt trim and scroll design arms and carving with a slip seat (circa 1830)
Category
19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Materials
Walnut
Pair of Armchairs En Gondoles
Located in New York, NY
FAPG 20555D/2
Pair "Fauteuils," or armchairs, en Gondoles, circa 1830-1835
New York
Mahogany (secondary woods: ash)
Each, 31 1/2 in. high, 21 1/8 in. wide, 21 1/8 in. deep (over...
Category
1830s American Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Materials
Mahogany
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
Russian Neoclassic Silk Winged Arm Chair
Located in New York, NY
Russian Neoclassic Karelian birch winged armchair upholstered in green striped silk with scrolled sides on splayed legs with casters (19th Century)
Category
19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Materials
Silk
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
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
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
Pair of Italian Neoclassical Chairs
Located in Montreal, QC
Pair of Italian white painted and parcel-gilt neoclassical style armchairs upholstered in stamped damask style textured mauve velvet.
Category
Early 1900s Italian Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
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
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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