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
Greenapple Chair, Set of 4 Ellipse Chairs, Beige, Handmade in Portugal
By Greenapple, GF Modern
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
French Empire Period Set of Four Provincial Walnut Chairs, 1st quarter 19th cen.
Located in Atlanta, GA
Each chair having a shaped and open splat backrest and a drop in rush seat, two of the rush seats older than the others, the round seats are raised on flared square tapering legs
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Chairs
Materials
Rush, Walnut
Neoclassical Solid Brass Italian Chiavari chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian brass chair in Neoclassical style from the 1950 s . Pink velvet upholstery .
we have one more chair like this slightly different size .
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Chairs
Materials
Brass
$1,150 Sale Price
32% Off
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
$9,751 / item
Late 19th Century Collection of twelve Chairs
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
Late 19th Century Collection of twelve Chairs
1890-1900,
Beech wood,
Introducing an exceptional collection of twelve chairs from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. Two of the...
Category
1890s French Antique Neoclassical Chairs
Materials
Beech
$8,350 / set
Fine Pair Of Antique Rosewood Neoclassical Style Chair Frames for Restoration
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Restoration recommended. Extraordinary Rosewood Chair frame pair with many fine details; With an elegant Classical form, handsome chosen wood with excellent color, well turned and c...
Category
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Chairs
Materials
Rosewood
Brass Chiavari Chair and Stool, Seats Covered in Green Velvet. Italian Work.
By Chiavari
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This rare set of a brass Chiavari chair and its stool or ottoman with seats covered in red velvet. This is an Italian work. Circa 1940
Category
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Chairs
Materials
Brass
Vintage Neoclassical Sillver Gilt Tipped Lounge Chairs - a Pair
Located in west palm beach, FL
Elevate your living space with this pair of Vintage Neoclassical Silver Gilt Tipped Lounge Chairs. Perfect for American-style interiors, these chairs feature elegant neoclassical des...
Category
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
$2,280 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Vintage Regency French Cane Fauteuils - A Pair
Located in west palm beach, FL
Embrace timeless elegance with this exquisite pair of Vintage Regency French Cane Fauteuils. These armchairs embody the sophisticated charm of French design, showcasing beautifully c...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Chairs
Materials
Cane
$2,360 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Late 19th Century Venetian Neoclassical gondola Armchair in Walnut and Leather
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Original elegant and robust Venetian neoclassical gondola chair. Beautiful to embellish a corner of the house or for a desk table
Measure in cm: H 90\45 x W 48 x D 50.
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Chairs
Materials
Leather, Walnut
Mid-19th Century Pair French Provincial Wooden Chairs Yellow Linen
Located in Brescia, IT
These fine French Mid-19th Century wooden chairs have an eclectic style and with theirs yellow linen upholstery they can give a touch of brig...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
$2,684 Sale Price / set
25% Off
Pair of French Mid Century Hand Painted Neoclassical Cock Fighting Chairs
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous pair of neoclassical cock fighting chairs with lyre backs and swivel seats. Hand painted with bronze rods in the lyre. Seat height is 19inches.
Category
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Chairs
Materials
Brass
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 Chairs
Materials
Wood, Velvet
$12,850 / set
Pair of Neoclassical Side Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of neoclassical side chairs.
Mahogany with carved details.
Category
1820s Russian Antique Neoclassical Chairs
Materials
Mahogany
$9,800 / set
Set of Four Neoclassical Side Chairs
Located in New York, NY
A set of four neoclassical side chairs.
Mahogany with patinated brass inlay, details and sabots.
Category
Mid-19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Chairs
Materials
Brass
Vintage Regency Cast Iron Lyre Back Chairs - A Pair
Located in west palm beach, FL
Evoke the timeless elegance of a 19th-century formal garden with this exquisite pair of vintage cast iron armchairs. Each chair is a work of art, featuring an ornate, open-work back ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Chairs
Materials
Iron
Fine Pair of Neoclassical Side Chairs, 1st Half 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
An elegant pair of Italian Neoclassical mahogany chairs adorned with patinated brass mounts from Italy. These chairs feature bold saber shaped legs and vertical lyre shaped back supp...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Chairs
Materials
Brass
Pair of 1940s Italian Neoclassical Sidechairs
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful pair of carved and inlaid fruitwood Italian neoclassical side chairs with carved wood details throughout and tapered legs. Newly upholstered in caramel silk velvet.
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Chairs
Materials
Fruitwood
Antique Ladder Back Writing Chair with Rush Seat
Located in Freehold, NJ
This antique writing chair features hardwood construction, original dark oak finish, ladder back seat with vintage rush caned seat, and a solid o...
Category
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Chairs
Materials
Rush, Oak
Set of seven Neoclassical Dining Room Chairs, early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Set of six dining chairs and one armchair on high, elegant square tapered legs with thread inlays. The rear legs are slightly flared and, together with the rounded backrests, give th...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Chairs
Materials
Cherry
19th century desk chair
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
19th century desk chair in original vintage condition.
Category
19th Century Slovak Antique Neoclassical Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
$1,789
Set of six scandinavian chairs in turned wood with straw seat.
By Kaare Klint
Located in Milano, IT
COD-750
Six chairs in turned wood with straw seat.
Attr. Kaare Klint, Denmark 1940's.
Category
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Chairs
Materials
Straw
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 Chairs
$1,700 Sale Price
32% Off
Neoclassical Chair, Germany, Early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Neoclassical chair on square pointed legs with straight frame and trapezoidal upholstered seat and openwork backrest with stylised pointed arches and brass inlays in the form of arca...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Chairs
Materials
Wood
Set of Six Italian Neoclassic Period Side Chairs
Located in San Francisco, CA
Set of six Italian neoclassic period side chairs. Walnut. All matching with elegant carved backs and ovoid floating elements. Good aged walnut patina...
Category
18th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Neoclassical Chairs
Materials
Walnut, Velvet
$4,360 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Pair of Mahogany Dining Room Chairs, Paris, circa 1810
Located in Greding, DE
Pair of mahogany chairs circa 1810 on balustered front legs and slightly flared back legs. The backs each display a laurel wreath. Stamped Jaco...
Category
1810s French Antique Neoclassical Chairs
Materials
Mahogany
Original 2er Set Neobarock Stühle Antik Holz Schnitzerei floral
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein wunderschönes 2er Set antike Esszimmerstühle aus dem 19. Jahrhundert zum Verkauf an. Die Stühle stammen aus der Epoche des Neobarocks und bestechen durch ihre aufwendi...
Category
1850s German Antique Neoclassical Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
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
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
Leather, Wood, Fabric
Pair of Early 19th Century Irish Elmwood Side Chairs
Located in San Francisco, CA
Matched pair of late 18th/early 19th century Irish Hepplewhite elmwood side chairs with removable seats.
Category
19th Century Irish Antique Neoclassical Chairs
Materials
Walnut
Set of Six Neoclassical Chairs in Cherrywood, circa 1940
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Set of six neoclassical chairs in cherrywood, circa 1940.
Three different design on the wood.
Very good condition.
Category
1950s European Vintage Neoclassical Chairs
Materials
Cherry
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
Fabric, Leather, Wood
6 Neoclassic Chairs in Blackened and Ceruse Oak, circa 1940-1950
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
6 neoclassic chairs in blackened and ceruse oak, circa 1940-1950.
Category
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Chairs
Materials
Velvet, Oak
Pair of Neoclassical Side Chairs, South German 1810-20
Located in Leimen, DE
Pair of Neoclassical Chairs, Germany 1810-20: Exquisite Design with Palmette Motif
Discover the elegance of the past with this stunning pair of Neoclassical chairs, hailing from Ger...
Category
1810s German Antique Neoclassical Chairs
Materials
Cherry
Set of Four German Neoclassical Late 18th Century Side Chairs, David Roentgen
By David Roentgen
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
This attractive set of chairs is made in the style of late German classicism and they were probably made in the workshop or the immediate circle of the famous cabinetmaker David Roen...
Category
Late 18th Century German Antique Neoclassical Chairs
Materials
Cherry
Elegant Chair in Stained Beech and Brass, France or Italy, circa 1940
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Elegant chair in stained beech and brass, France or Italy, circa 1940.
Category
1940s European Vintage Neoclassical Chairs
Materials
Brass
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
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.