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.
$3,600Sale Price|25% Off
Moviestar Sumptuous Tufted Velvet Gilded Neoclassical Style Chaise Longue
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Sublimely sexy small neoclassical chaise longue having marbleized and gilded frame with scroll arms 24.5 h and impressive paw feet. The uph...
Velvet, Wood
Stickley Brothers Neoclassical Chaise Lounge, Mahogany Upholstery, USA
Located in Southampton, NJ
Elegant chaise lounge or Recamier sofa by Stickley Furniture in left or right wing options. Generous, lithe proportions, Neoclassical in style with bolster cushion. Seat: 16.5" H.
Upholstery, Mahogany
19th Century Continental Neoclassic Chaise Lounge in Mahogany & Silk
Located in Queens, NY
Continental Neoclassic-style (Possibly Austrian, late 19th Century) parcel gilt mahogany daybed/chaise lounge with scrolled back above a stripped yellow silk...
Gold Leaf
Vintage French Neoclassical Style Swan & Rams Recamier Daybed Chaise Lounge Sofa
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Neoclassical Style Swan & Rams Head Recamier Daybed Chaise Lounge Sofa. Item features a large impressive form, gold gilt painted carved wood accents, beige fabric, gre...
Fabric, Mahogany
Stickley Brothers Neoclassical Chaise Lounge, Mahogany Upholstery, USA
Located in Southampton, NJ
Elegant chaise lounge or Recamier sofa by Stickley Furniture in left or right wing options. Generous, lithe proportions, Neoclassical in style with bolster cushion. Seat: 16.5" H.
Upholstery, Mahogany
Neoclassical Style carved mahogany recamier / chaise by Baker
Located in Buffalo, NY
Stunning Neoclassical Style carved mahogany recamier / chaise lounge manufactured by Baker,, Frame in excellent original condition.. original fabric upholstery has minor marks,,hav...
Brass
Monumental Neoclassical Style Hendrix Allardyce Chaise Longue
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Grand neoclassical style painted chaise longue hand-crafted on a monumental scale by California artisans at Hendrix Allardyce. Bespoke chaise from the Leonard estate in Pacific Palis...
Brass
French 19th Century Neoclassical Mahogany Upholstered Récamier Lounge Chair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An extremely elegant French 19th-century Neo-Classical mahogany upholstered Récamier. The lounge chair is raised by lovely lightly scrolled fluted legs. The straight apron displays a...
Mahogany
Gorgeous Swaim Neoclassical Chaise Lounge
By Swaim
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Neoclassical Chaise Lounge from Swaim Furniture. The original upholstery shows some wear and will need to be reupholstered to be its best. ...
Upholstery, Oak
20th Century Classizim Style Empire Swan Chaise Longue
Located in Berlin, DE
Maple roots on solid beechwood, partially ebonized and gilded. (J-Sam-7).
Wood, Beech, Maple
Custom Made to Order Napoli Chaise Lounge in Velvet Linen or COM
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
Napoli Chaise Lounge 27" W x 34" H x 60" D / can be customized to any length The Napoli Chaise Lounge is a timeless nod to vintage European design, effortlessly blending elegance wit...
Cotton, Velvet, Foam, Wood
$8,500
H 28.75 in W 20.08 in D 78.75 in
Bauhaus, Chaise Lounge by Peter Zumthor, Mahogany, Design, 2007
By Dietiker
Located in Stein am Rhein, CH
Rare item. This chaise lounge is made of bent mahogany and chromed tubular metal. Cushion included. As seen in the architectural masterpiece Thermes of Vals. It echoes the classic aesthetic of the Bauhaus and Thonet. Peter Zumthor...
Metal
Italian Chaise Longue silk
Located in Long Island, NY
Italian Chaise Longue .Elegant and Timeless. Beautiful Reds and Gold Colors in Silk .
Silk
French Antique Swan Neck Recamier Chaise Lounge
Located in Hopewell, NJ
A fine antique French walnut recamier or chaise lounge with carved swan heads at posts, lovely neutral vintage upholstery and bolster pillow, circa 1930. The chaise rests on four ca...
Upholstery, Walnut
$68,900
H 33.08 in W 30.12 in D 39.38 in
Mid-Century Modern Chaise Lounge by Carlo Hauner & Martin Eisler, 1954
By Martin Eisler, Carlo Hauner, Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in New York, NY
This chaise Lounge is one of the fantastic designs by Martin Eisler and Carlo Hauner, produced by Forma S.A. Móveis e Objetos de Arte. Galeria Artesanal, the first showroom to present furniture and objects created by Moveis Artesanal and HG Ceramica, used to sell this design. The traditional chaises...
Iron
20th Italian Maroon Velvet Chaise Longue with arms
Located in Miami, FL
Particular and unique chaise lounge from the 1940s in Art Deco style in precious black velvet . The feet are in turned solid wood and black lacquered wit...
Velvet, Wood
Engens Fabriker, Chaise Longue, Beech, Velvet, Sweden, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A beech and green velvet chaise longue produced by Engens Fabriker, Örkelljunga, Sweden, c. 1950s. Wear to wood consistent with age and use Overa...
Velvet, Wood, Beech
$7,800
H 37 in W 87 in D 28.75 in
Large Italian Neoclassical Giltwood Récamier Settee in Scalamandré Tiger Velvet
Located in Nashville, TN
And of unusual ( rare ) large dimensions. Matching bolsters for each end. Well worn gilt and paint finish and losses to frame. Well worn paint and gilded finish. Oxidation to the gi...
Giltwood
French Louis XV Style Tufted Chaise Lounge
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant and inviting, this French Louis XV style chaise lounge offers a refined balance of comfort and classic design. The gracefully contoured frame features a gently arched backres...
Linen, Wood, Paint
Penelope Green Chaise Longue
By Pier Luigi Frighetto by Black Tie
Located in Milan, IT
The curved Silhouette of this superbly elegant chaise longue provides a chic and comfortable seat that will highlight the decor of any bedroom or...
Metal, Other
French Provincial Chaise Lounge Settee, Fabric, Louis XV Style, France
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This elegant French provincial chaise lounge settee, crafted in the Louis XV style, features graceful curves, carved details, and a ref...
Fabric
Upholstered Daybed Chaise Longues
Located in Sheffield, MA
Graceful and inviting, the recamier chaise with arched back and rolled arm. The fainting couch is upholstered but it does show some ware. Although made in the Victorian period, it ...
Upholstery
French Art Deco Carved Walnut Chaise
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
Fans of the pioneering furniture designer Emile-Jacque Ruhlmann will delight in this glamorous French Art Deco period chaise with a swooping crest of a seat back that rises from the ...
Textile, Walnut
Antique mahogany chaise lounge, 19th century
Located in Houston, TX
This antique chaise lounge is an elegant and sculptural piece to the 19th century. The gracefully scrolled ends are beautifully proportioned and supported by finely shaped, outward ...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Gilded Age Highly Carved Chaise Lounge
Located in Hudson, NY
A fantastic and whimsical chaise lounge. Hand carved with a beautifully patinaed green paint and gilded accents. This truly is large enough for a person to sleep on should one need a...
Gold Leaf
Sold
H 37 in W 80 in D 27 in
Vintage French Empire Neoclassical Style Recamier Daybed Chaise Lounge Sofa
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Neoclassical Style Recamier Daybed Chaise Lounge Sofa. Item features a large impressive form, gold painted carved wood accents, g...
Fabric, Mahogany
Chaise Lounge From Swaim
By Swaim
Located in North Canton, OH
Neoclassical Chaise Lounge from Swaim Furniture. Beautiful piece. Original Upholstery Fabric is pristine. As new. Circa 2006 Condition Dis...
Upholstery
French 19th Century Neoclassical Recamier or Chaise Lounge
Located in Hopewell, NJ
An extremely elegant French 19th-century Neoclassical mahogany upholstered rcamier. The chaise lounge has a stunning carved lion head armrest, and lovely neoclassical green silk wrea...
Silk, Mahogany
Modern Acorn Motif Chaise Longue
Located in Astoria, NY
Modern chaise longue with acorn and oak motif slip covers. Dimensions: 36" H x 68" W x 31" D. Dealer: S138XX
Fabric, Oak
Upholstered Chaise Lounge
Located in Astoria, NY
Upholstered chaise lounge, covered in garnet red chenille, the scoop back and scrolling arms with long skirted seat. In good condition. Wear consist...
Chenille, Wood
Red Chenille Upholstered Chaise Lounge
Located in Astoria, NY
Red chenille upholstered chaise lounge, unmarked. In good condition. Wear consistent with age and use. Dimensions: 29" H x 74" W x 40" D; ...
Chenille
Neoclassical Style Chais Lounge
Located in Hudson, NY
Diminutive reconnaier and the neoclassical style period produced in the 19th century this carved gilded and painted beauty has the most lovely proportions. The surface is carved an...
Gold Leaf
Coral Linen Chaise Lounge with Cerused Oak Feet
Located in Locust Valley, NY
A "Bridgewater" style upholstered chaise lounge in a gorgeous coral linen with cerused oak feet and an upholstered removable back cushion in the same coral linen fabric. Super chic a...
Linen, Oak
French Neoclassical Style Mahogany Recamiere Meridienne
Located in Southampton, NJ
An elegant Mahogany scroll arm Recamiere, Meridian or window bench much like Maitland Smith or Baker pieces. Features Include new custom Moire upholstery, two bolster cushions with b...
Brass
Set of Six Rose Tarlow Style Twig Iron Garden Chaise Lounges
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Amazing set of six grand twig patio and garden chaise lounges or longues made in the manner and style of Rose Tarlow Melrose House. Crafted from thick iron frames featuring a geometr...
Iron