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.
Pair of Antique Spanish Walnut Upholstered Stools with Green Leather Seats
Located in Miami, FL
### Description This elegant pair of antique Spanish upholstered stools is handcrafted from solid walnut and combines timeless craftsmanship with everyday functionality. Their gener...
Leather
Rose Tarlow Melrose House Settee Chaise Bench W Down Filled Cushions
By Rose Tarlow
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Rose Tarlow Melrose House Settee Chaise Bench With Luxurious Down Filled Cushions.
Wood, Down
Cast Iron and Wood Swan Bench Garden, France, 1950 circa
Located in Nicolosi, IT
Beautiful mid-20th-century French garden bench; crafted with sculptural cast iron swan supports and a wooden slatted seat and backrest. The design is highly decorative and poetic, wi...
Metal, Iron
Mid-Century Neoclassical Louis XVI Style Bench with Cream Upholstery and Fluted
Located in Opole, PL
Louis XVI Style Upholstered Bench with Fluted Legs Elegant rectangular upholstered bench in the Louis XVI style, raised on four slender, turned and vertically fluted wooden legs. It...
Upholstery, Oak
New Black Wrought Iron Curule Bench with Ralph Lauren Barlett Zebra Fabric
Located in Miami, FL
New black wrought iron curule bench with cushion, Savonarola, Throne. Beautiful and soft cushion made with Ralph Lauren Zebra Fabric.
Iron
Pair of Robsjohn-Gibbings Style Walnut Klismos Rope Benches
Located in Rio Vista, CA
A sculptural pair of rare mid-century modern neoclassical klismos benches in the manner and style of T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Saridis of Athens. The walnut frames are large measuri...
Rope, Walnut
Vintage Neoclassical Style Wrought Iron Curule Savonarola X-Form Bench Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Vintage Neoclassical Style Wrought Iron Curule Savonarola X-Form Bench Chair. Item fe...
Iron
Maison Jansen Neoclassical Zebra Hide Bench, Estate of John Loring, France 1970s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Maison Jansen Neoclassical Zebra Hide Bench Estate of John Loring, Tiffany & Co. France, Circa 1970s Dimensions: 32" W × 16" D × 18" H This striking bench embodies the refined neocl...
Zebra Hide, Beech
New Black Wrought Iron Curule Bench with Cushion, Savonarola, Throne
Located in Miami, FL
New black wrought iron curule bench with cushion, Savonarola, Throne. Cushion included.
Iron
Vintage Baker Furniture Italian Neoclassical X-Form Curule Bench Stool Ottoman
Located in Dayton, OH
This elegant Mid 20th century Italian Neoclassical-style X-form curule bench by Baker Furniture features an ornate, ivory-painted wooden frame decorated with delicate, hand-gilded fl...
Fabric, Hardwood, Giltwood
Pair of Italian Neoclassical Curule Stools w/ Fortuny Upholstery
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A magnificent pair of Italian Neoclassical curule stools, embodying timeless grandeur and Hollywood Regency glamour. This elegant pair is crafted in the iconic ancient Roman curule ...
Linen, Wood
Pair of Michael Taylor Neoclassical Curule d'Orsay Ottoman Benches
Located in Rio Vista, CA
A handsome labeled pair of Neoclassical curule-form "d'Orsay" bench seats or ottomans designed by Michael Taylor, San Francisco, CA. Each curule bench features a thick rectangular se...
Brass
Vintage Neoclassical Ram's Head Bench by Maison Jansen, 1970s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage neoclassical steel and brass Ram's head bench by Maison Jansen. This bench has a steel frame with three Ram's heads on both front & back. Supported by three X legs with b...
Brass, Stainless Steel
Neoclassical Ebonized and Gilded Bench by Baker, USA, Circa 1970s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Striking vintage Neoclassical style ebonized and gilded bench by Baker Furniture Company. Beautiful newly upholstered seat cushion.
Fabric, Giltwood
19th Century Swedish Neoclassical Style Birch Veneer Bench Seat
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Gorgeous late 19th/early 20th century Swedish bench seat constructed in the neoclassical or Swedish empire taste. The bench features a blonde birch ...
Fabric, Wood, Birch
New Black Wrought Iron Curule Bench with Gold Details
Located in Miami, FL
New black wrought iron curule bench ,Savonarola, Throne.
Iron
$1,557 / item
Oak Parquetry Upholstered Bench, Light Oak
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Light oak parquetry upholstered bench with tapered legs. Crafted with rustic oak with an upholstered seat, this bench is the perfect addition to the foot of any bed or entryway. ...
Wood
New Black Wrought Iron Curule Bench with Damask Gold & White Fabric
Located in Miami, FL
New black wrought iron curule bench with cushion, Savonarola, Throne. Beautiful and soft cushion made with Ralph Lauren Zebra Fabric.
Iron
19th-C. Neo-Classical Maison Jansen Style Giltwood Bench In Leopard Velvet
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is an antique neo-classical style Italian carved giltwood bench in the manner of Maison Jansen. The leopard velvet is new. There is chippiness to the gold leaf frame. Each arm i...
Velvet, Giltwood
Thomas Pheasant for Baker Furniture Adam Bench
By Baker Furniture Company, Thomas Pheasant
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Thomas Pheasant for Baker Furniture Adam Bench This bench measures: 53 wide x 16.75 deep x 18.75 high, with a seat height/chair clearance of 18.75 inches We take our photos in a co...
Upholstery, Wood
French Neo-Classical Style Fruitwood & Bronze Curule Benches / Ottomans - Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of French neo-classical style x base benches. They have a nice large scale. The caps appear to be bronze. The yellow upholstery is in nice condition. They are unmarked...
Bronze
Italian Neoclassical Style Trompe l'oeil Carved Bench Seat
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Gorgeous Italian window bench crafted in the neoclassical taste featuring carved plume feathers and swag. The trompe l'oeil bench is hand-carved from beech with an intentionally dist...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Italian Neoclassical Ebonized Bench, Giltwood, 1950
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Mid-Century Modern Italian Neoclassical style ebonized bench made of hand crafted Giltwood, standing on six straight black wooden legs, in good condition. Newly upholstered...
Upholstery, Giltwood, Fabric, Ebony
1940s Curved Long Purple Damask Tufted Neoclassical Style Wood Bench
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning and rare, long curved bench you could hope to find. Outstanding design is exhibited throughout. The beautiful bench is statement...
Upholstery, Wood
$2,800Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Hollywood Regency Wrought Iron Curule Benches
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Stylish pair of Hollywood Regency wrought iron curule benches made in the neoclassical taste. Featuring an X-form design with scrolled arms a...
Iron
Hollywood Regency Wrought Iron Curule Bench, Savonarola, Throne
Located in Miami, FL
Stylish wrought iron Curule bench made in the neoclassical taste. Featuring an X-form design with scrolled arms and feet. These bench are als...
Wrought Iron
Neoclassical Style Partial Gilt, Mahogany & Brass Nail Trim Tufted Leather Bench
Located in Germantown, MD
A Neoclassical Style Partial Gilt, Mahogany and Brass Nail Trims Tufted Leather Bench. Measures 54" in width, 17" in depth and stands 31" in height. Seat height is 18" and width is 31".
Brass
19th Century Neoclassical English Painted Hall Bench, c. 1880
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
An amazing painted hall bench – teeming with charm – from 19th century England. The large antique has panels with diagonally oriented wooden slats w...
Hardwood, Paint
Pair of 19th Century Swedish Neoclassical Ebonized Birch Benches
Located in New York, NY
Each stylishly upholstered in black vermicelli-patterned horsehair; raised on sabre legs and surmounted by turned armrests.
Upholstery, Birch
Monumental 19th Century Northern Italian Hand Painted Bench
By Schumacher
Located in New York, NY
This beautiful hand painted wood bench was made in Italy in the 19th century. Since Schumacher was founded in 1889, our family-owned company has been synonymous with style, taste,...
Wood, Paint
French Neoclassical Cream Painted Bench
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
French neoclassical cream painted bench the two backrests measure 22" H x 15.5" D, the seat cushion measures 27" W x 16" D.
Upholstery, Wood
$4,800Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Maison Jansen Style Lyre Back Wrought Iron and Bronze Benches
Located in New York, NY
Pair of wrought iron, bronze and upholstered Neoclassical lyre back benches, circa 1940/60's. The benches feature wrought iron frames with stylized lyr...
Bronze, Wrought Iron
Early 20th-C. Italian Neo-Classical Style Mahogany Bench With Carved Eagles
Located in Kennesaw, GA
It is an early Italian neo-classical style carved mahogany bench newly upholstered in a flax linen. The supports are wonderful hand carved eagles. It is in very good condition. My s...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Vintage Samuel Copelon Neoclassical Bench
By Maison Jansen, Samuel Copelon
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Samuel Copelon Neoclassical Bench with Cast Bronze Swan Embellishments.
Metal
French serpentine bench cream painted with gilt accents and silk upholstery
Located in Houston, TX
This classic bench is designed with serpentine graceful curved lines It is made of hardwood and painted in a cream hue with gold Painted accents. The cushion is upholstered in a fine...
Silk, Hardwood
French Beautifully-Carved Wood Lyre-Back Splat Bench w/Rush Seat , 19th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Neoclassic carved-wood sofa bench with rushed seat from the 19th century. This antique bench from France has been beautifully carved with Neoclassical details, featuring a gracefully curved top rail which gives way to an open back with three widely-spaced back rests; all carved in a lyre motif. The top rail gently wraps to the sides, creating a tub-style effect. Hand-woven rushed seats give this piece a more casual comfort appeal. The wood skirt is a neat, straight line, and is raised upon four slender and curvy legs...
Wood
Late 20th-C. Neo-Classical Stylw Srolled Iron And Leather Bench
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a neoclassical style scrolled leather and iron bench. It is not marked. The seat is a hard seat. It is in very good condition.
Iron
Pair of Curule Benches Footstools with Lion Motif
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on "Read More" or "View More Details" below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing is from 1st Dibs and they normally s...
Steel
Pair Of Italian 18th Century Neo-Classical St. Walnut And Giltwood Benches
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and unique pair of Italian 18th century Neo-Classical st. Walnut and Giltwood benches from Tuscany. Each three seat bench is raised by four square cabriole legs with the f...
Walnut, Giltwood
Italian Brass Curule Bench With Lions Heads
Located in Houston, TX
Italian Brass Curule Bench With Lions Heads. Offered is a handsome Italian Neoclassical style brass curule bench with lions heads on all corners terminating in paw feet. Our bench ha...
Brass
$1,557 / item
Oak Parquetry Upholstered Bench, Dark Oak
Located in Westwood, NJ
A dark oak parquetry upholstered bench with tapered legs. Crafted with rustic oak with an upholstered seat, this bench is the perfect addition to the foot of any bed or entryway. S...
Wood
Italian Carved Wood Triple Splat Back Cherry Settee, Circa 1770
Located in Charleston, SC
Italian Cherry carved splat back settee with floral scrolled motif, scrolled flanking arms , connecting serpentine stretchers, and terminating on the original slipper feet. Settee ha...
Cherry, Upholstery, Wood
Italian Neoclassical Style Painted And Giltwood Bench
Located in Houston, TX
Italian Neoclassical Style Painted And Giltwood Bench. Offered is a stunning Italian Neoclassical or Louis XVI style painted and giltwood bench professionally upholstered in a plush ...
Velvet, Wood, Giltwood
19th Century French Sofa Bench Circa 1820
Located in Atlanta, GA
This elegant 19th-century French sofa bench, crafted around 1820, showcases the timeless sophistication of early 19th-century furniture design. Made from solid walnut, the bench feat...
Walnut
Italian Neo-Classical Painted Bench, 19th Century, Wood and Gold Leaf
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Neo-classic style (19th Century) cream painted square bench with swag and festoon decoration supported on tapered fluted and gilt trim legs.
Gold Leaf
Vintage X Form Steel Bench
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A strong and decorative steel bench with curved top and X form frame and scrolled ends on ball feet. With an incurved slatted seat and center stretcher. Solid feeling with good weigh...
Steel
$2,360Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Carved Walnut Neoclassical Shell Carved Benches, By Baker
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Carved Walnut Neoclassical Shell Carved Benches, By Baker A pair of graceful Carved Walnut Neoclassical Shell Benches made by Baker. These benches boast a substantial pres...
Silk, Upholstery, Walnut
Pair French Provincial Cherrywood Trestle-Form Long Benches, circa 1800
Located in Atlanta, GA
Having a slender seat supported by trestle supports with ball feet, strong and functional
Cherry
The Wimbledon Tennis Bench
Located in Sturminster Marshall, Dorset
A fine carved teak tennis bench. Exterior seat pads can be supplied if required. Seat pads upholstered in client’s own material. Please note we are currently working to a 30-36 week...
Teak
Italian Modern Brass Bench
Located in Houston, TX
Italian Modern Brass Bench. Offered is a great Italian mid century brass curule style bench newly upholstered in a beautiful blue boucle fabric. Perfect in many rooms and easily move...
Brass
Two Antique Figural Gilt Wrought Iron Benches, Oscar Bach, c. 1910, USA
Located in San Francisco, CA
A rare and architecturally scaled gilt wrought iron bench attributed to Oscar Bach, a master of American Beaux-Arts and Neoclassical decorative metalwork. This monumental figural ben...
Bronze, Iron
Vintage Painted Neoclassical Style Curule Bench
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Curule-form bench, having a padded, crown seat of onyx-printed linen with nailheads, on an ivory painted frame showing natural wear, its fielded apron centered with an acanthus-flank...
Wood
Italian Gilt Metal Floral Bench
Located in New York, NY
Italian Gilt Metal Floral Bench. The frame is gilt metal, black painted with gold floral arrangements. Original seat fabric. Made in Italy. There is a...
Metal
Neoclassical Golden Wrought Iron Bench with Cushions
Located in Miami, FL
Hollywood Regency Period golden wrought iron bench with original seat cushion. The bench can be used as is or refinished to taste. F-739-335
Wrought Iron
$1,160Sale Price|20% Off
Italian Style "X" Bench w/ Chinoiserie Linen Fabric
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian style "X" bench in a bleached walnut finish with brass knob details throughout. The bench is newly reupholstered in a soft faded chinoiserie style linen with nailhead trim de...
Linen, Walnut
Giltwood and Painted Benches
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Finely carved giltwood and painted Italian style reproductions. Newly upholstered. Strong and sturdy. Priced per bench.
Fabric, Giltwood, Paint
Maison Jansen Curule Stool in Stitched Leather, Brass and Metal
Located in North Miami, FL
Such an elegant stool/ bench by Maison Jansen, features brass ringlet finials, hooved brass feet and a stitched leather seat - ALL in excellent vintage condition.
Metal, Brass
1st Half 19th Century Neoclassical Bench, Italy, 1st Half 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
An elegant neoclassical page bench crafted from cherrywood, dating to the early 19th century. The bench rests on gracefully curved saber legs, with the straight apron accented by s...
Bronze
Neo-Romanesque hand-carved Oak Lion Bench, Northern Italy 1880-1900
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a striking carved oak bench executed in Northern Italy during the late 19th century, circa 1880–1900. The design is distinguished by a pair of boldly ca...
Oak
$3,840Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of French Neoclassical Bronze Benches /Ottomans Kravet Cashmere Upholstery
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of French Neoclassical Bronze Benches /Ottomans Kravet Cashmere Upholstery France, 1950s A stunning pair of French neoclassical bronze benches/ ottomans, originating from the 1950s, exuding timeless elegance and sophistication. Each piece features a harmonious rectangular design, graced with recently reupholstered seats in luxurious Kravet Cashmere fabric. The ottomans stand...
Bronze