Neoclassical Benches
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
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...
Category
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Benches
Materials
Walnut, Giltwood
German Neoclassical Creme Painted And Giltwood Bench From Schloss Seelowitz
Located in Essex, MA
Rectangular upholstered seat . The frame with fan carved spandrel borders. Raised on circular tapered fluted legs. Estate of Martin Trust. Boston Ma. Schloss Seelowitz was the countr...
Category
1790s German Antique Neoclassical Benches
Materials
Wood
19th Century, Six Italian Neoclassical Lacquered Wood Benches
Located in IT
19th Century, six Italian neoclassical lacquered wood benches.
Measures: 4 stools: D 46.5 x W 46.5 x H 51 cm
2 benches: D 46.5 x W 82 x H 51 cm
...
Category
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Benches
Materials
Wood
Late 18th Century Italian Banquette, Stato Pontificio
Located in Doylestown, PA
An extremely rare neoclassical parcel-gilt and painted banquette in the transitional Louis XV/XVI style, likely from Marche, Italy, circa 1790, carved on the back rail with the Papal crest depicting crossed keys beneath three gold crowns on a red domed tiara, bordered on either side by a carved and gilded chain. The serpentine seat rail is decorated with embossed and gilded roses and is supported by turned legs. The arms are carved in elegant scrolls. The piece retains its original blue/green painted finish, newly reupholstered in velvet fabric.
The region where the piece was made was under the control of the Vatican until the 1870s and is known as the Papal States or "Stato Pontificio...
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Benches
Materials
Wood
Camel Back Garden Bench
Located in Sturminster Marshall, Dorset
An exceptional Georgian Camel back design carved teak slatted back garden bench. Exterior seat pads can be supplied if required. Seat pad upholstered in cli...
Category
18th Century British Antique Neoclassical Benches
Materials
Teak
French Modern Neoclassical Mahogany and Suede Tri-Corner Stools, Andre Arbus
Located in New York, NY
Elegant pair of french Directoire period stools / benches with stunning tapered legs that are partially cantilevered over the frame and a rare three leg and three corner structure.
...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Benches
Materials
Mahogany
Italian Neo-Classic Style Cushioned Bench
Located in New York, NY
Italian Neo-classic (18th Century) celadon painted bench with gilt trim and open side arms with a raised inset set cushion and ribbon carved fluted legs.
Category
18th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Neoclassical Benches
Materials
Gold Leaf
Italian Neo-Classic Upholstered Bench
Located in New York, NY
Italian Neo-classic (18th Century) pink painted and gilt trimmed rectangular bench with carved apron and legs and upholstered seat
Category
18th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Neoclassical Benches
Materials
Gold Leaf
Italian Carved Wood Triple Splat Back Cherry Settee, Circa 1770
Located in Hollywood, 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...
Category
1770s Italian Antique Neoclassical Benches
Materials
Cherry, Upholstery, Wood
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19th Century Mahogany Stool
Located in London, GB
With stylised ‘X frame’ legs and faded green velvet top.
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Neoclassical Wrought Iron & Bronze Bench, France 1950's
Located in New York, NY
Elegant bench in patinated wrought iron and bronze. The sabots are reminiscent of Giacometti's work for Jean-Michel Frank. 3 benches are available; the price i...
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Rustic Painted Hoop Back Bench
Located in Westwood, NJ
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21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Benches
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Vintage Black Lacquered Durmast Oak Bench, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1930s.
This bench is made in lacquered durmast oak.
It is a vintage piece therefore it might show slight traces of use, but since it has been recently restored, it can...
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1930s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Benches
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Neoclassical Revival Style Giltwood Bench
Located in New York, NY
Neoclassical Revival style carved giltwood bench with swung legs and upholstery. In great vintage condition with age-appropriate wear and use.
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Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Benches
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Arras Garden Bench
Located in Hellerup, DK
Antique French wrought iron bench in a warm grey color, made by the renowned manufacturer Grassin in Arras. The bench is in very good condi...
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1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Benches
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Late 18th Century French Bench
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Late 18th century French bench cover with Aubusson tapestry.
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Benches
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Tapestry, Walnut
Late 18th Century Swedish Blue Pine Country Bench or Sofa
Located in Kramfors, SE
Very unusual blue bench or sofa from the late 1700s. The sofa is a country house furniture from Ångermanland in Sweden. The sofa is very unusual, most likely the only one of its kind...
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Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Benches
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Pine
Bench in Camel Boucle by Vintola Studio, Europe, Poland
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Contemporary Bench inspired of 1960s style. The bench consist of an upholstered part, a seat and wooden legs narrowing downwards, characteristic of the 1960s style.
Bench was designed by Vintola...
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2010s Polish Neoclassical Benches
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Fabric, Bouclé, Beech
19th Century French Empire Upholstered and Gilt Painted Stool Bench
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant painted wood bench was crafted in northern France, circa 1890. The antique seat stands on carved spiral etched legs decorated with brass flor...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Benches
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Walnut, Upholstery
Tree Wrap Iron Garden Bench
Located in Sheffield, MA
Hard to find, Salterini inspired tree hugger bench in white painted cast metal with mesh seat. This garden tree bench will make your outdoor space a special place to sit and reflect on the beauty of nature and enjoy conversation with friends and family.
Half tree bench, bench seating around a tree, tree wrap bench...
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Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Benches
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Modern Classic Curved Back Bench
Located in Greenwich, CT
Modern classic curved back bench upholstered with black velvet and botanical patterned loose cushion. Exposed poplar legs finished and stained by han...
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2010s American Neoclassical Benches
Materials
Wood, Maple
Previously Available Items
Fabulous Cast Bronze Bench, Last in Edition
Located in Donhead St Mary, Wiltshire
A fabulous cast bronze bench, cast from the original 18th century Italian marble bench with recumbant lions and floral carvings to the seat, compl...
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18th Century British Antique Neoclassical Benches
Materials
Bronze
Incredible Pair of Rare 18th Century Italian Neoclassical Walnut Benches
Located in Charleston, SC
Very rare pair of period Italian neoclassical walnut benches or sofas with hand carved backs, tapered legs, cane seats and later removable cushions.
These sofas are as good as it...
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Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Benches
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Cane, Walnut
H 35 in W 81.25 in D 26.25 in
18th Century Sacristy Bench
Located in Guadalajara, Jalisco, MX
18th Century Sacristy Bench Colonial Puebla
Usually used in the intimate part of the sacristy these benches were not meant for the public but f...
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18th Century Mexican Antique Neoclassical Benches
Materials
Mahogany
Italian Neoclassical Bench and Pair Of Italian Consoles
Located in IT
19th Century, Italian Neoclassical Carved and Giltwood Bench
Cm D 60 x W 204 x H 81 (cm seat Height 50, seat depth 59, seat width 139)
This elegant bench was made in Italy in the 19t...
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Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Benches
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18th Century Pair of Italian Neoclassical Giltwood Stools
Located in IT
18th century pair of Italian neoclassical giltwood stools
The fine pair of neoclassical stools, made in Sicily, Italy, in the second half of the eighteenth century, consists of a wooden structure finely carved and gilded. The seat, lined in silk, rests on a band with a square base with angles of 45 degrees. The band has a carved decoration inspired by the motifs of ancient friezes...
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Late 18th Century European Antique Neoclassical Benches
Materials
Giltwood
Italian Neoclassical Paint and Parcel Gilt Shield Back Settee, Late 18th Cent.
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
This four seats 18th century neoclassical shield-back settee features a painted and leaf decorated frame with decorative elements of raised gilt reliefs on the fan shaped splats and ...
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Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Benches
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Fabric, Upholstery, Giltwood, Paint, Wood
H 37 in W 69.25 in D 22 in
Early Antique Italian Cassapanca Painted Bench
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A Neoclassical decorated carved and painted bench with lift up seat for storage. The back with scrolled crest and painted with a trompe l'loeil architectural frieze with masks, ribbo...
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Early 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Benches
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Wood
18th Century, Italian Neoclassical Lacquered and Giltwood Center Bench
Located in IT
18th century, Italian neoclassical lacquered and giltwood center bench
Measures: Seat height without cushions cm 43, cushion height cm 50, width ...
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Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Benches
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Hardwood, Giltwood
H 19.69 in W 17.72 in D 47.25 in
18th Century English Elm and Ash Bacon Settle Cabinet with Attached Bench
Located in Middleburg, VA
This bacon settle with attached bench perfect for a mud room or converted barn. These large settles were traditionally situated close to the fireplace. To...
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Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Benches
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Ash, Elm
Pair of Swedish Neoclassic Painted Benches
Located in Essex, MA
Each with rectangular upholstered seats, leaf carved seat rail and raised on tapered, leaf carved and fluted legs. Provenance, Judith Leiber.
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1790s Swedish Antique Neoclassical Benches
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Wool
18c Swedish Neoclassical Sofa
Located in New Orleans, LA
Swedish sofa with detailed arrow carving. Beautiful proportions and scraped patina.
Category
18th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Benches
Materials
Wood
18c Swedish Sofa with Lion Carving and Egyptian Influence
Located in New Orleans, LA
Rare Swedish sofa with detailed carvings that highlight Egyptian influence and neoclassical lion carving. The fluted legs have rosette detail. Bench is co...
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18th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Benches
Neoclassical benches for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Neoclassical benches 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 benches created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, building and garden elements, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Neoclassical benches 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 benches, popular names associated with this style include Molla, Niermann Weeks, Theodore Alexander, and Casa Bique. 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 benches differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $420 and tops out at $45,000 while the average work can sell for $3,800.
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