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Neoclassical Chairs

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
Number in Set: Set of 11
Tan Leather Upholstered Side Chair with Saddle Stitch Detail and Wood Frame
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Emile chair from LF upholstery shown in tan leather with handcrafted saddle stitch detail on the inside back and seat give a sophisticated look to a ...
Category

2010s American Neoclassical Chairs

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

21st Century Green and White Deluxe Chair by Modenese Gastone
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Created by the skilled craftsmen of Modenese Gastone Interiors, this dining chair, part of the Deluxe collection, presents a curved wooden structure with white finish, silver leaf ap...
Category

2010s Italian Neoclassical Chairs

Materials

Silver Leaf, Gold Leaf

Greenapple Chair, Set of 4 Ellipse Chairs, Beige, Handmade in Portugal
Located in Lisboa, PT
Ellipse Chair, Modern Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by GF Modern. The Ellipse chair is a classic and comfortable piece for any occasion. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Chairs

Materials

Brass

Classic Skirted Slipper Chair in Hot Pink Velvet with Contrast Velvet Back
Located in Greenwich, CT
About this piece Made to order skirted slipper chair. As shown with cotton velvet and cut velvet contrast outside back. How we work Made t...
Category

2010s American Neoclassical Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Velvet, Wood

George II Giltwood Banquet Chair
Located in Sturminster Marshall, Dorset
A fine George II gilt-wood banquet chair with a classical rake to the back on acanthus and shell carved legs terminating in a carved hairy paw claw foot...
Category

18th Century British Antique Neoclassical Chairs

Materials

Giltwood

George II Library Wing Chair
Located in Sturminster Marshall, Dorset
A fine and well-drawn George II design country house library/drawing room wing chair. This chair is unusual in that it has extremely generous proporti...
Category

18th Century British Antique Neoclassical Chairs

Materials

Feathers

Dining Chairs Ellipse Upholstered Red Velvet Handmade Portugal Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Ellipse Chair, Modern Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by GF Modern. The Ellipse chair is a classic and comfortable piece for any occasion...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Chairs

Materials

Brass, Stainless Steel

Plitman Banquet Chair
Located in Sturminster Marshall, Dorset
The Plitman banquet chair is a mahogany dining chair hand carved in the Chippendale style and upholstered with client’s own fabric. Bespoke sizing, d...
Category

16th Century British Antique Neoclassical Chairs

Materials

Mahogany

Custom Bobbin Arm Side Chair with Caned Seat by Dos Gallos Studio
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Custom bobbin chair with caned seat. These chairs are made in Alder with a variety of finishes. Can be made with a caned seat or with an upholst...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Chairs

Materials

Walnut

Dining Chairs Ellipse Upholstered Beige Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Ellipse Chair, Modern Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by GF Modern. The Ellipse chair is a classic and comfortable piece for any occasion...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Chairs

Materials

Brass, Stainless Steel

Italian Neoclassic Tall Bar Stool
Located in Westwood, NJ
An Italian neoclassic bar stool, with a leather upholstered oval padded back and circular swivel seat, on turned legs, joined by an "X" stretcher with brass footrest mounts. Dime...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Chairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

Rococo Dining Chair in Black and Gold Finish by Modenese Luxury Interiors
Located in PADOVA, Italy
A glimpse to the past, with this handcrafted luxury piece of timeless rococo beauty. An elegant floral upholstered seating gracefully on top of the contrast black painted carving woo...
Category

2010s Italian Neoclassical Chairs

Materials

Gold Leaf

Dos Gallos Custom Caned Seat Bobbin Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Our custom bobbin chair, as shown as armchair. Can also be made as a side chair. Can be made with a caned seat or an upholstered seat. Custom finishes. Made in Los Angeles by Dos Gal...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Chairs

Materials

Cane

Dark Walnut Dining Chair with Armrests by Modenese Gastone Interiors
Located in PADOVA, Italy
High-end palaces need high-end furniture, and the mission of Modenese Gastone Interiors is to serve this purpose. This majestic shiny dining ...
Category

2010s Italian Neoclassical Chairs

Materials

Gold Leaf

Modern Classic Elizabeth I Armchair in Carved Wood and Patinated Fine Gold Leaf
Located in Oporto, PT
Inspiration: This is one of the most premium armchairs of Bessa´s collection. Worthy of the grandeur of an empire, it is made with the most premium fabrics on the market, admirably h...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Chairs

Materials

Gold, Gold Leaf

Modern Plathea Dining Chairs Dark Blue Velvet Handmade Portugal Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Pleathea Chair, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. Plathea creates an elegant, classic comfort in your dining room. Upholstered in dark blue ve...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Chairs

Materials

Brass

21st Century Carpanese Home Italia Chair with Wooden Legs Neoclassic, 6010
Located in Sanguinetto, IT
Chair.     
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Chairs

Materials

Leather, Fabric, Wood

Side Chiar in Walnut Finish and Ivory Satin New 18th Century by Modenese
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Embellish your dining room with a curved-lines neoclassical side chair by Modenese Luxury Interiors. This refined seating element, commonly used in bespoke interior projects, present...
Category

2010s Italian Neoclassical Chairs

Materials

Gold Leaf

21st Century Carpanese Home Italia Chair with Wooden Base Neoclassic, 6609
Located in Sanguinetto, IT
Chair with wooden base and upper part upholstered. Characterized by a soft backrest that hugs you and enhances the comfort. On the back there is a stylish leather brown handle with ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Leather, Wood

Rounded Tub Club Chair on Swivel Shown in Linen Fabric with Wood Arm Post Detail
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Vila Club Chair from LF Collection is a great addition to any room - shown with off white linen fabric but also available made to order in COM - with mahogany wood post...
Category

2010s American Neoclassical Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Dos Gallos Custom Upholstered Dining or Desk Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Custom classic continental style suitable for dining or as a desk chair. Can work in Spanish, English, classic, farm house or modern interiors, depending on finish and fabric. For pl...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Chairs

Materials

Walnut

Shaped Curve Back Dining Side Chair with Self Button Detail and Nailhead Detail
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Menton chair is a beautifully styled side chair shown in off white fabric with and self covered buttons on the inside back - nailhead trim outlining t...
Category

2010s American Neoclassical Chairs

Materials

Linen, Mahogany

Shearling Covered Shaped Back Chair with Wood Base and Legs with Metal Cap Feet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Willow club chair is a whimsical chair that can be used in any room - shown covered in shearling with button detail on inside back with a contrast...
Category

2010s American Neoclassical Chairs

Materials

Sheepskin, Mahogany

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Teak Wood Framed Chair, with Woven Leather Seat
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A hand-crafted teak framed & woven leather strap chair. These chairs are crafted by local artisans using a wood joinery technique without the use of nails. They feature a subtle wood...
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21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Neoclassical Chairs

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Set of Four 20th Century Gazelle Beige Wood Chairs, 1960s
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Contemporary Chair in Solid Wood, Upholstered in Leather or Textiles with Arms
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
Dry chair collection. The Dry chair concept is to work in a mixture of distinct references resulting in a modern classic in a dance between the retro and the modern. A heavy and i...
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Contemporary Chair in Natural Solid Wood, Upholstered Leather, with Arms
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Dry chair collection. The Dry chair concept is to work in a mixture of distinct references resulting in a modern classic in a dance between the retro and the modern. A heavy and i...
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Soiree Chair with Stitch Detail in Charcoal, Oscar & Gabriele Buratti for Driade
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The theme of the classic, soft, fabric-covered, padded chair made of a single material is interpreted here in an exceptionally elegant, accurately finished design. Whether dressed in...
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21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Chairs

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1960s Italian Set of Four Hand-Stitched Leather and Chrome Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Very chic Italian chairs with exceptional design that gives a very sleek and attractive profile, the chromed tubular structure upholstered with hand-stitched Italian tan leather. The design of the leather simply strapped over the back adds to the elegance...
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1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Chairs

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Chrome

Paul Mathieu x Luxury Living Contour Chair Set of 6 Beige
Located in Miami, FL
Slender and refined, the contour chair by Paul Mathieu for Luxury Living brings together a sober spirit with contemporary taste. Made with lacque...
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Set of Eight Beige Kangaroo Chairs, by Ernst Moeckl, Germany, 1968
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
This model is called Z-chair. Designed in 1968 in the GDR by Ernst Moeckl and Siegfried Mehl, German Version of the Panton chair. Also called kangaroo chair or variopur chair. Produc...
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Contemporary Occasional Chair Upholstered Seat, Walnut & Bronze Detail COM
Located in Tuscon, AZ
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2010s North American Neoclassical Chairs

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Napoleon III Ebonized Slipper Chair
Located in Essex, MA
Slightly arched back upholstered in gold cut velvet raised on turned tapered fluted legs.
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1870s French Antique Neoclassical Chairs

Materials

Paint

Napoleon III Ebonized Slipper Chair
Napoleon III Ebonized Slipper Chair
H 35 in W 21.5 in D 25 in
SOPHIA II dining chair
Located in Frazão, Porto
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SOPHIA II dining chair
SOPHIA II dining chair
H 35.83 in W 20.08 in D 25.2 in

Neoclassical chairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Neoclassical chairs 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 chairs 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 chairs 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 chairs, popular names associated with this style include Greenapple, GF Modern, Modenese Gastone, and Chiavari. 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 chairs differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $300 and tops out at $28,500 while the average work can sell for $3,245.

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