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
$780Sale Price|20% 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
$595Sale Price|30% Off
Antique Early American Country Farmhouse Oak & Maple Spindle Back Rocking Chair
Located in Dayton, OH
This antique rocking chair is a beautiful, hybrid-construction piece, expertly crafted from solid oak and hard maple. It features a striking slat-and-spindle backrest, showcasing a g...
Maple, Oak
$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
American Walnut Rocking Chair with Rush Seat. Circa 1870
Located in Charleston, SC
American Walnut rocking chair with rush seat. 19th Century
Rush, Walnut
$6,500
H 47.5 in W 27 in D 32 in
Victorian Wicker Rocking Chair by Heywood Brothers, Late 19th Century
Located in Queens, NY
American Victorian natural wicker ornate high back platform rocking chair with woven rolled arms and finials & swag chain link on back (HEYWOOD BROS.)
Wicker
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
$2,200Sale Price|20% Off
H 38.5 in W 27 in D 40 in
Vintage Velvet Bent Wood Rocking Chair and Ottoman by BioForm
Located in Denver, CO
Post 1950s, believed to be 1970s Manufactured by BioForm Seating Systems Solid bentwood frame. Two area of small wear and a few very light scratches consistent with age. (see p...
Fabric, Upholstery, Velvet, Foam, Laminate, Wood, Bentwood
$972Sale 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
$997Sale Price|30% Off
H 16 in W 27 in D 31 in
Vienna Secession Cane & Bent Oak Scrolling Children Sized Rocking Chair, Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Turn of the century Vienna Secession oak child size rocking chair features an elegant, sculptural frame crafted from warm-toned bentwood with striking fluid curves and elegant swirls...
Rattan, Oak
$1,450
H 40 in W 22 in D 33.75 in
Folk Art Bent Twig Hand Crafted Adirondack Arts & Crafts Rocking Chair C1900
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Amazing original condition, so we'll taken care of and preserved. 125 years ago John Wiltout built this chair from hickory branches and a pine seat. Square head nails were used and t...
Hickory, Pine
Old Hickory Adirondack Style Rocking Chair
Located in Freehold, NJ
This old Adirondack style chair features rustic bent hickory wood construction, caned seat, and rocking base. Dimensions: 27w 31d 33h 17sh 27ah Condition notes: Chair itself is in ...
Rush, Hickory
$1,490Sale 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
Early 20Thc Barrel Back Old Hickory Rocking Chair
By Old Hickory Furniture Company
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fine example of a hand made Old Hickory Furniture Co. barrel back rocking chair in fine as found condition.The woven web seating and backing is in original fine condition with a...
Hickory
$3,986Sale Price|20% Off
H 42.13 in W 22.45 in D 34.26 in
19th Century English Iron Rocking Chair Leather Seat John Porter London
Located in Epfach, DE
An English iron rocking chair, 19th century, its sinuous, continuously bent tubular frame ranking among the most inventive seating forms to emerge from the Victorian iron trade. The ...
Iron
$1,154
H 39.38 in W 43.31 in D 22.05 in
Thonet Rocking Chair No. 4, Beech Wood, Art Nouveau, Austria, 1920
By Thonet
Located in LYON, FR
Thonet rocking chair model no. 4. Circa 1920. Curved beech wood rocking chair from the 1920s by Thonet. Model number 4. Beautiful Art Nouveau lines. Recent cane work, well stretche...
Wood
$984
H 36.62 in W 24.81 in D 44.89 in
Franco Albini Style Mid-Century Bent Bamboo and Rattan Rocking Lounge Chair
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Franco Albini style vintage mid-century bent bamboo & rattan high backed rocking or lounge chair. Beautiful design - very 1960s / 1970s and would make a lovely addition to any home, ...
Bamboo, Rattan
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
Sold
H 40 in W 27 in D 39 in
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
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