Neoclassical Dining Room 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
Period: 18th Century and Earlier
Set of 6 Neoclassical Chairs, Germany 1800
Located in Belmont, MA
Set of Six Neoclassical Chairs
Discover a rare find with our exquisite set of six Neoclassical chairs originating from around 1800’s Southern Germany. Crafted from cherry wood veneer...
Category
1790s German Antique Neoclassical Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Cherry
Late 18th Century Set of 6 Painted & Parcel Gilt Arm Chairs, Italian
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Late 18th century set of 6 painted & parcel gilt arm chairs, Italian. Neo-classical period & taste. Small beaded florets break the arch of the crest rails, the florets repeated at ea...
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Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Dining Room Chairs
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Cane, Wood
Neoclassical Dining Room Chairs, Baltic, End of 18th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Set of three neoclassical dining chairs made of mahogany with brass decoration and diamond shaped backrest. The chairs stand on square legs with H-shaped bracing. The seats are uphol...
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Late 18th Century Antique Neoclassical Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Brass
Suite of Three Italian Neoclassical Polychrome Painted Side Chairs, circa 1780
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Suite of three Italian neoclassical polychrome painted side chairs, circa 1780
Antique, excellent and rare suite of three Northern Italian (probably Venice) Neoclassical side chai...
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18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Dining Room Chairs
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Wood
Swedish Gustavian Period Chair Pair
Located in Savannah, GA
Set of two Swedish chairs with classical lotus pattern back splats, a design often attributed to the chair makers of the Stockholm Guild. The chair splats have the carved crest also ...
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1790s Swedish Antique Neoclassical Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Silk, Walnut
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Neoclassical dining room chairs for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Neoclassical dining room 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 dining room chairs 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 dining room chairs made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original dining room chairs, popular names associated with this style include Greenapple, Brown Jordan, GF Modern, and Baker Furniture Company. 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 dining room chairs differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $327 and tops out at $225,000 while the average work can sell for $4,102.
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