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.
Tufted Settee with Loose Seat Cushion and Pleated Skirt Shown in Grey Velvet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Marion sofa is a custom piece and timeless style shown in grey velvet but also available in COL or COM in any size wanted. handcrafted maple frame with t...
Velvet, Maple
Elegant Antique Neoclassical Rush Seat Settee Loveseat
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Elegant vintage neoclassical loveseat having curved back and X motif backrests with gilded medallions. Seat is original rush with custom striped linen cushion.
Upholstery, Fruitwood, Rush
$5,100Sale Price / item|26% Off
Channeled Back Armless Settee with Back Stretchers and Solid Seat on Wood Legs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Elliot sofa is all hand carved with channeled back and solid channeled seat. It is shown in light tone fabric and walnut wood frame and legs. Hand carved wood frame all hair fill...
Linen, Walnut
French Neoclassical Sofa Donna Jacquard Champagne Handmade Portugal
By Greenapple, GF Modern
Located in Lisboa, PT
Sofa Donna, Neoclassical Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by GF Modern. This Sofa adds a sophisticated and refined touch to any li...
Gold Plate
$2,755 / item
Classic Tufted Love Seat
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Classic tufted two-seat sofa with a bicast bonded chocolate-colored vintage style leather upholstery, with a tufted cushion backrest, and sides with t...
Faux Leather, Wood
$3,116Sale Price|20% Off
20th C Wingback Love Seat in Blue and White Check Homespun Linen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fantastic wing-back love seat is in amazing condition and great form. The re-pro. blue & cream homespun linen upholstered love seat is amazi...
Pine
$32,000Sale Price|20% Off
Early 19th Century Parcel Gilt Classical New York Sofa, circa 1820
By Deming & Bulkley
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A spectacular American Empire sofa with exquisite detailing and design. One of the masterpieces of Federal New York furniture, this circa 1820 parcel gilt sofa with faux bois Rosewoo...
Mohair, Wood
Art Deco Loveseat Lisboa Sofa Blue Velvet Gold Leaf Handmade Portugal Greenapple
By Greenapple, GF Modern
Located in Lisboa, PT
Lisboa Sofa, Modern Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by GF Modern. The Lisboa loveseat adds a sophisticated and refined touch to any living area. The sofa is upholstered in dark blue velvet...
Gold Leaf
Henredon Upholstery Collection Cocoa Colored Loveseat
By Henredon
Located in Pasadena, TX
This loveseat comes from the Henredon Upholstery Collection. Its made in a traditional American style. It comes with 2 pillows. A very comfortable loveseat.
Fabric
Italian Painted and Parcel-Gilt Settee 18th Century
Located in Buchanan, MI
An Italian painted and parcel-gilt settee 18th century having a pierce carved ribbon crest over a padded back and a stuff over seat, raised on square tapering legs. Measure: Height 3...
Giltwood
$5,800 / item
Pair of Neoclassical Style Loveseats
Located in New York, NY
A refined pair of loveseats featuring tight curved backs and softly scrolled arms, upholstered in a natural cotton muslin. The tailored silhouette offers classic elegance with a stre...
Muslin
$6,000Sale Price / item|20% Off
Caned Settee with Leather Back and Seat Cushions with Wood Frame
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Hewes settee shown covered in leather back and seat cushions and back bolsters with hand sewn details. Wood frame with caned arms and back and shown in dark wood stain. All hand ...
Cane, Walnut, Lacquer
Minimalist Steel Upholstery "Classic" Love Seat Parisii Collection
Located in Del Mar, CA
CLASSIC LOVESEAT A contemporary heirloom The Classic Loveseat is defined by softness, structure, and symbolism. Its fully upholstered form invites ease, while the sculptural metal le...
Steel
Italian Neo-Classic Striped Loveseat
Located in Queens, NY
"Italian Neo-classic (18/19th Cent) white painted and gold trimmed loveseat with a shaped front and center leg with striped upholstered seat and back A few small stains on seat fabr...
Wood, Paint, Upholstery
$3,750
H 30.75 in W 64 in D 28 in
Danish 1950s Settee or Loveseat in Green Wool in the Style of Peter Hvidt
By Peter Hvidt
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Classic and very elegant lines very much in the style of the early Danish iconic Designer, Peter Hvidt made circa 1950. Back and seat nice and firm and frame on Cuban mahogany legs r...
Wool, Mahogany
French Louis XVI Giltwood Corner Settee Loveseat C. 1890s Era
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Measures: 59.75 wide x 31.5 tall x 38 deep and seat height 18 inches. It was made for a corner — and yet it refuses to be hidden. This rare and distinctive French Louis XVI giltwo...
Upholstery, Walnut, Giltwood
Wood Love Seat with Mocha Sheepskin
Located in New York, US
Mid-Century Scandinavian 2-Seater Setee in Wood and Bouclé Fabric, 1950s. Reupholstered in mocha sheepskin
Sheepskin, Wood
Florence Knoll 2-Seater Sofa, Classic Mid Century Modern, Knoll
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Buffalo, NY
Vintage Florence Knoll 2 seater 'lounge series' sofa with original 2nd generation upholstery in a coarse woven off-white mottled wool fabric. This sofa d...
Chrome
$3,470
H 29.53 in W 61.03 in D 37.41 in
Ligne Roset Marsala Sofa in Black Leather by Michel Ducaroy, France, the 1970s
By Michel Ducaroy, Ligne Roset
Located in Almelo, NL
Ligne Roset Marsala sofa in black leather by Michel Ducaroy, the 1970s. Good-looking black leather Marsala two-seater sofa by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne...
Leather, Plexiglass
$5,962Sale Price|25% Off
H 35.44 in W 49.22 in D 31.5 in
Pierre Chapo, S18Y “Love Seat” Bench in Elm and Patinated Leather, France, 1970s
By Pierre Chapo
Located in Almelo, NL
Pierre Chapo, S18Y “Love Seat” Bench in Elm and Patinated Leather, France, 1970s A rare and architecturally refined S18Y “Love Seat” bench by Pierre Chapo, crafted in his own worksh...
Leather, Elm
Edward Wormley Pair of Sofas / Settees
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Highland, IN
These lovely, lightly scaled sofas or loveseats designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, are not only an uncommon form, having a matched pair available is also very rare. They are stru...
Upholstery, Wood
$3,960Sale Price|36% Off
H 37.5 in W 51.75 in D 32 in
Antique French Art Deco Two-Seat Loveseat Sofa with Cream Upholstery, 1940s
Located in Detroit, MI
This beautiful antique French Art Deco loveseat sofa is circa 1940s. This well-built, elegantly proportioned two-seater loveseat sofa has a distinctive profile with a carved solid wo...
Wool, Upholstery, Wood
Rare Egyptian Revival Ebony and Inlaid Settee, Late 19th Century
Located in Southampton, NY
Egyptian Revival ebony and inlaid settee, late 19th century "Of architectural form with geometric borders and inlaid with fruitwoods, ivory, mother of pearl and wire, the carved giltwood cresting rail in the form of serpents centred by a tablet inlaid with a winged bird, probably the symbol of the Egyptian Goddess, Nekhbet, clutching a payrus stalk, the padded back between two moulded cartouches depicting Horus and Iris, the arm supports in the form of Canopic jars surmounted by the head of Anubis, with a padded seat and shaped legs terminating in paw feet. Measures: 26" deep x 56" wide x 45.5" high x 18" seat height In the nineteenth century, the Egyptian Revival became fashionable following the Napoleonic campaigns in Egypt with the publication of Voyage (1802) by Vivant Denon...
Wire
On Hold|$4,750
H 30 in W 52 in D 27 in
Danish 1940's Finn Juhl Style Settee or Loveseat in Green Mohair
By Slagelse Mobelvaerk, Viggo Boesen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Superbly elegant Finn Juhl style sofa or settee attributed to Slagelse Mobelvaerk, Denmark made sometime in the 1940s. Perfectly balanced lines and proportions providing for a solid ...
Mohair, Beech
French Antique Style Loveseat
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Antique revival loveseat with French inspired wood carved frame and soft cushions. Decorative detailing throughout the sculpted wood frame. Please confirm location NY or NJ
Fabric, Wood
$3,000Sale Price / set|60% Off
H 25 in W 61.5 in D 32.75 in
Pair of Chrome Framed Love Seats in the Style of Milo Baughman
By Flair, Milo Baughman
Located in Hanover, MA
Pair of original vintage two seat sofas floating within chromed steel bands. In the style of Milo Baughman but actually from the Flair division of Bernhardt. Original upholstery is ...
Chrome
Classic Blue Velvet Loveseat
Located in Westwood, NJ
Draped in sumptuous navy blue velvet, this loveseat features classic deep button tufting that creates a sophisticated diamond pattern. The graceful curves of its silhouette are high...
Velvet, Wood
Sold
H 35.5 in W 48 in D 22 in
Gorgeous Italian Neoclassical Style Carved Fruitwood Loveseat Bench with Arrows
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Superb Italian carved fruitwood neoclassical style loveseat or bench having great arrow motife X's on the back and newly upholstered in timeless faux leopard ultrasuede. Arm height 25.
Upholstery, Walnut
Late 19th Century Chestnut Non Denominational Church Pew
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous chestnut pew with fully paneled back on both sides. Simple and elegant as the chestnut has mellowed and aged. A little under six and a half feet makes it very useful in ever...
Chestnut
Sold
H 32 in W 75 in D 38 in
Sherrill Custom English Rose Two-Cushion Rolled Arm Sofa, Plinth Base, Loveseat
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Sherrill custom English rose two-cushion rolled arm sofa, plinth base, loveseat. Gorgeous custom sofa.
Textile
Sold
H 31.75 in W 54 in D 23 in
Tufted Leather Sofa Made by Hickory Chair Company Retailed by B. Altman
By B. Altman and Company 1, Hickory Chair Furniture Company
Located in New York, NY
Sophisticated and chic leather loveseat, manufactured by the Hickory Chair Company, and retailed by B.Altman NYC. This sofa feathers tufted burgundy leather and tied spring upholster...
Leather, Mahogany, Olive
Italian Parcel-Gilt Painted Tete a Tete or Sociale
Located in San Francisco, CA
An elegant Italian parcel-gilt cream paint decorated serpentine form sociale or tete a tete, the spindle form top rail over a greyish green mohair upholstered back and seat, finished...
Beech, Paint
Pair of Neoclassical Style Iron and Linen Benches
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Bespoke pair of wrought iron and linen benches made in the neoclassical taste. Features a newly upholstered seat cushion with white linen fabric. The frames are made of thick square ...
Iron
Sold
H 36 in W 45 in D 19.2 in
Mid-19th Century Italian Neoclassic Sofa Couch Loveseat in Hand-Carved Mahogany
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Neoclassical sofa from the mid-19th century with open back sculpted with Classic motifs. Armrests moved. Curl finished. Pink striped velvet upholstery still in good condition and usa...
Mahogany
Stately Neoclassical Style Fruitwood Bench
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Stately neoclassical style fruitwood bench having an inverted double arched back. The back of the bench is decorated with finials and the arms are scrolled. The cushioned seat has be...
Upholstery, Fruitwood
Pair of Upholstered Louis XVI Style French Settees
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Matching pair of upholstered French settees, loveseats, or banquettes made in the Neoclassical Louis XVI taste. Featuring a carved walnut frame covered with a cream floral and foliat...
Fabric, Walnut
Sold
H 34 in W 51 in D 24 in
Dramatic Antique French Carved Wood and Velvet Neoclassical Loveseat Settee
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Antique French neoclassical style loveseat settee having beautiful carved walnut frame and new richly elegant platinum velvet with down cushion. Window pane back and nailhead details...
Pair of Elegant Settees by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of elegant settees by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings designed for Widdicomb. Seat height is 14.5 inches. They can be reupholstered with a few inches more.
Upholstery, Walnut