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.
S. Bent Bros Monogrammed Hitchcock Style Stinciled Rocking Chair
Located in Germantown, MD
A Samuel Bent and Bros. Furniture monogrammed Hitchcock style rocker in excellent condition. Very well kept. Measure 25" In width, 29" in depth, 37" in...
Hardwood, Paint
$1,188Sale Price|20% Off
1920's Neoclassical style Ebonized & Gilt Wood Rocking Chair
Located in Opa Locka, FL
1920's Neoclassical style Ebonized and Gilt Wood Rocking Chair. Very nice neoclassic carving.
Wood
$780Sale Price|76% Off
19th Century Fancy Original Painted Rocking Chair from New England
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This untouched original painted 19th century rocking chair is in pristine condition. The paint on this rocking chair is untouched. This is truly is a rare find. This item has wear co...
Wood
1960-1970’s Neoclassic Rocking Chair by Lee Woodard Metal Frame & Striped Velvet
Located in Topeka, KS
Marvelous vintage Neoclassic rocking chair by Lee Woodard comprised of a metal frame with an antiqued bronze finish and purposed hammered ...
Metal
American Walnut Rocking Chair with Rush Seat. Circa 1870
Located in Charleston, SC
American Walnut rocking chair with rush seat. 19th Century
Rush, Walnut
$2,593Sale Price|20% Off
H 38.19 in W 22.45 in D 23.63 in
19th Century Biedermeier Rocking Chair, Mahogany, Germany, circa 1840
Located in Greven, DE
19th century antique rocking chair North Germany Mahogany Late Biedermeier, around 1840 Dimensions: Height: 97 cm, width: 5...
Mahogany
Bentwood rocking chair attr. Thonet, late 19th century
By Thonet
Located in View Park, CA
A bentwood rocker attributed to Thonet, designed late 19th or early 20th century. Featuring art nouveau whiplash curves and real wicker caning. Made in Poland (possibly at the Radoms...
Wicker, Bentwood
Milo Baughman Style Vintage Rocking Chair
Located in Doylestown, PA
Elegant vintage midcentury rocking chair in the style of Milo Baughman. This comfortable rocker features a sturdy, solid wood frame w...
Naugahyde, Wood
$875Sale Price|30% Off
H 38.5 in W 22.5 in D 41.5 in
Bentwood Walnut Rocking Chair Cane Rattan Seat Back Rocker
Located in Dayton, OH
Bentwood rocking chair, circa mid 20th century. Made from walnut in classic bentwood styling with rattan back and seat. Dimensions: 41.5" x 22.5" x 38.5", seat 18.5" to 13.5"
Rattan, Walnut
$1,522Sale Price|20% Off
H 33.86 in W 17.72 in D 19.3 in
Antique American Maple Gilt & Ebonised Frame & Rush Seat Chair
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Lambert Hitchcock Maple Gilt & Ebonised Frame With Rush Seat Chair Provenance purchased from a Country Estate in Wiltshire, UK. Lambert Hitchcock (May 28, 1795, Cheshire, Conn...
Maple
Midcentury Rocking Chair by Lee Woodard
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautifully designed sculptural rocker by Lee Woodard, with tufted leather body and brass railing. (Please confirm item location - NY or NJ - with dealer)...
Brass
French 19th Century Wrougt Iron Rocking Chair
Located in Charleston, SC
Rare 19th century French wrought iron rocking chair with most of its original green paint with patient rust. Upholstered in natural colored antique linen.
Linen, Paint
$1,140
H 44.49 in W 23.63 in D 40.56 in
Swedish Antique Rocking Chair 6 Legs 19th Century Hand Painted Black Gold
Located in Bochum, NRW
Antique Black Swedish Rocking Chair with Original Black Paint, Late 19th Century The chair is in excellent condition, given its age and use, showing minimal signs of time and use—nor...
Wood
Classic Windsor Style Rocking Chair
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Beautifully made Windsor style rocking chair in what looks like maple, having modeled seat and fine spindles on a curved back. The legs are also lovely t...
Maple
$1,921Sale Price|20% Off
H 38.59 in W 25.99 in D 36.23 in
Guido Faleschini Golden Metal and Gray Velvet Arm Chair / Rocking Chair, 1970
Located in Roma, Lazio
Iconic rocking armchair by Guido Faleschini from the 70s, all curves and elegance, simple and linear. The rocking armchair has a fully curved golden metal structure, armrests and le...
Metal
$993Sale Price|40% Off
H 34.65 in W 47.25 in D 22.45 in
Mid Century Franco Albini Bent Bamboo and Rattan Rocking Chair, Italy 1950's
Located in London, GB
This iconic Albini piece has all the aspects of beautiful Italian design sensibility of good taste and great form making the material create a form that is both beautiful and light i...
Bamboo, Cane
$1,995
H 38.6 in W 21.1 in D 41.7 in
1920s Austrian Thonet-Style Bentwood Rocking Chair with Striped Upholstery
Located in High Point, NC
This 1920s Austrian Thonet-style bentwood rocking chair embodies the graceful curvature and lightness associated with classic Viennese design. Crafted from steam-bent wood, the frame...
Upholstery, Wood
Sold
H 39 in W 24 in D 33 in
Antique 19th Century Early American Farmhouse Oak Bentwood Rocking Arm Chair
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Boston rocker, circa 1850s. Despite the name, Boston rockers were actually made in Connecticut. They have a scrolled seat, spindled spla...
Oak
Vintage Thonet Rocking Chair "No. 21"
Located in Astoria, NY
Vintage Thonet Bentwood and caned rocking chair, Model No. 21, with oval back and seat conjoined by scrolling bentwood elements. 44" H x 20.5" W x 39" D...
Cane, Bentwood
Blonde Brendan Rocking Chair/ Leather Seat
Located in Malibu, CA
Greg Aanes American made original classic rocking chair. This model is the Brendan chair; "designed for hours of comfortable sitting". New high-g...
Leather, Birdseye Maple
Antique 19th Century Early American Maple Bentwood Rocking Arm Chair
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Boston rocker, circa 1850s. Despite the name, Boston rockers were actually made in Connecticut. They have a scrolled seat, spindled back,...
Maple, Bentwood
Sold
H 33 in W 23 in D 22.5 in
L. Hitchcock Black Harvest Stenciled Back Maple Windsor Rocking Arm Chair Rocker
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Hitchcock rocking chair or rocker. Features black ebonized and maple with stenciled slats. Made in Hitchcocksville Connecticut.
Maple, Paint