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.
Neo-classical style chaise longue, France ca. 1990
Located in Meulebeke, BE
Exuding timeless refinement and grand European charm, this elegant French neoclassical style chaise longue—or méridienne—is a masterful tribute to antique luxury. Crafted around 1990...
Fabric, Wood
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
$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
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
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
$2,240Sale Price|53% Off
Early 20th Century American Bamboo Cane Chaise Lounge, Original Parts
Located in Wainscott, NY
Early 20th Century American Bamboo Cane Chaise Lounge, Original parts Very special and unique cane and bamboo chaise lounge. All original materials.
Bamboo, Cane
SACHA CHAISE - Modern Chaise Lounge in Camel Luxury Velvet
Located in Laguna Niguel, CA
SACHA CHAISE - Modern Chaise Lounge in Camel Luxury Velvet The Sacha Chaise Lounge is a sleek and stylish piece of furniture designed for modern living s...
Upholstery
Italian Chaise Longue silk
Located in Long Island, NY
Italian Chaise Longue .Elegant and Timeless. Beautiful Reds and Gold Colors in Silk .
Silk
$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
Dutch 'Backbone' Chaise Longue in Teak
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Chaise lounge, teak, aluminium and fabric, The Netherlands, 1990s. This exceptional Dutch chaise longue features a seating area crafted from teak...
Steel
Forged Steel Chaise Longue
Located in Chireno, TX
Forged steel chaise longue, adorned in brass detail. Sold with newly-made tie-on upholstered cushion in antique hand-loomed French thistle and natural canvas. All...
Brass, Steel
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
Pair of French Vintage Adjustable "Chaises Longues"
Located in Austin, TX
Iconic French vintage adjustable chaises longue chair with chromed steel frame. Measurements are for the chair sitting at the maximum position for the given dimension. Very comfortab...
Chrome
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
19th Century French Napoleon III Chaise Lounge W/ Red Velvet
Located in Astoria, NY
A traditional late 19th-century Napoleon III chaise or daybed lounge sourced from Provence, France. Beautifully handcrafted from solid wood, it features elegant oval-back frames with...
Velvet, Wood
French Patio Wrought Iron Chaise Longue
Located in Sheffield, MA
The undulating black patio metal garden chaise loungeis relatively light weight for easy movability. The seat peaks where the knee bends making it extremely comfortable. The mesh cou...
Wrought Iron
Late 19th C. French Campaign Style Iron Bronze Chaise Longue
Located in Rio Vista, CA
A spectacular late 19th/early 20th century French iron and bronze chaise longue or lounge, crafted in the Campaign style. The folding chair features a dramatic elongated lounge form ...
Brass, Iron
$2,895
H 32 in W 59 in D 24 in
Restoration Hardware Custom Order Oviedo Chaise Lounge in Brown Leather & Chrome
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a rare, custom order, 'Oviedo' model chaise longe by Restoration Hardware. However, instead of connected cushions and a relatively flat surface, this customer opted for a ser...
Chrome
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
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