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Neoclassical Side 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
1960s Italian Pair Of Lacquered Armchairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Spectacular, 1960s pair of Italian lacquered armchairs with velvet seats. The chairs have been professionally lacquered in an off-white color-way and the seats have been reupholste...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Side Chairs

Materials

Velvet, Wood, Lacquer

Set of Four American Classical Painted Faux Grain Rosewood & Caned Dining Chairs
Located in Southampton, NY
Set of four American Classical painted faux grain rosewood & caned dining chairs - A really lovely set of four chairs with faux painted rosewood design on the back and legs with deli...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs

Materials

Rosewood

Set of 13 Fine French Neoclassical Dining Chairs
Located in Long Island City, NY
Set of 13 fine French Neoclassical cherry wood dining chairs in an Empire-Directoire style with carved and blackened wood details.
Category

1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Side Chairs

Materials

Cherry

Connecticut Valley rush seat painted Hitchcock side chair, 1830
Located in Kenilworth, IL
American Hitchcock rush seat side chair with a tie-on seat cushion. The chair features the original gilt and bronze powder stencil decoration on the double cornucopia back splat as w...
Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood, Paint

Neo-Classical Style Satinwood William Switzer Game Table Side Chairs, S/4
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a handsome set of neo-classical style satinwood side chairs by William Switzer out of Canada. The frames are in great shape but the vintage upholstery is not. They are except...
Category

Late 20th Century Canadian Neoclassical Side Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Satinwood

Wonderful Set of Five French Gold Gilt Carved Harp Lyre Back Regency Side Chairs
Located in Roslyn, NY
Wonderful set of FIVE (5) French gold gilt carved harp lyre back regency neoclassical dining or living room ladies side chairs Sold per chair Measu...
Category

1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Side Chairs

Materials

Giltwood

Pair of French Neoclassic Upholstered Seat Side Chairs, c. 1795-1810
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Pair of French neoclassic upholstered seat side chairs. The chairs are defined by sabre front and raked rear legs which support an upholstered boxed seat. The splayed upper leg posts...
Category

19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Cherry

Pair of Baker Neoclassical Style Chairs
Located in Houston, TX
A Classic and handsome pair of baker neoclassical style occasional chairs newly upholstered in a creamy white ecru velvet with black grosgrain detai...
Category

20th Century Neoclassical Side Chairs

Materials

Giltwood, Wood

Pair of Boston late Classical slip seat mahogany side chairs, 1830-45
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Pair of American mahogany and figured mahogany veneered late Classical upholstered slip seat side chairs. The chairs feature a shaped & pierced crest rail and back rail. Chestnut sec...
Category

Mid-19th Century Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Chestnut, Mahogany

Painted Neoclassical Side or Desk Chair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Painted Neoclassical side or desk chair with laurel wreath & studs.
Category

20th Century Neoclassical Side Chairs

Materials

Wood

Custom Bobbin Arm Side Chair with Caned Seat by Dos Gallos Studio
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Custom bobbin chair with caned seat. These chairs are made in Alder with a variety of finishes. Can be made with a caned seat or with an upholst...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Side Chairs

Materials

Walnut

Gilt Brass Chiavari Chair Neoclassical Style
Located in Hanover, MA
Neoclassical style gilt brass Chiavari chair with original claret red velvet upholstery, circa 1955. The brass has a gilt wash or gold plating giving it an extra rich and refinied ap...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Side Chairs

Materials

Brass

Pair of French 1900s Side Chairs with Caned Seats
Located in Buchanan, NY
An exceptional pair of French 1900s neoclassical style side chairs with caned seats and brass detailing. This pair of neoclassical style s...
Category

Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Side Chairs

Materials

Wood, Wicker

Set of three American upholstered seat mahogany side chairs, 1800-1810
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Set of three American mahogany upholstered seat side chairs on reeded sabre legs with flared feet. The London cabinetmakers book of this period describes a scroll back chair with a bell-shaped seat and sweeping Grecian front legs with a hollow below the cross banister. The description fits these chairs and identifies them as a popular model in New York, circa 1800-10. In these examples, the reeded upper rear leg posts frame a solid crest rail over a horizontal back rail & lower banister rail. The seat frames and corner blocks are tulip poplar with white pine medial brace and oak rear seat rail. Fragmented nailers were spliced with new poplar and mahogany surfaces were cleaned and finished in shellac. Seats have been reupholstered in a Scalamandre damask fabric...
Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany, Oak

Set of Six Rare Walnut Klismos Style Chairs with Cane Seat
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Notable Italian made set of chairs with classic Klismos form in walnut with gilt inlay carved inset back panels and hand-caned seats. The attention to detail in the construction is v...
Category

Early 20th Century European Neoclassical Side Chairs

Materials

Cane, Walnut

20th C Wingback Love Seat in Blue and White Check Homespun Linen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fantastic wingback love seat is in amazing condition and great form. The repro. blue & cream homespun linen upholstered love seat is amazing...
Category

1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Side Chairs

Materials

Pine

Pair of Italian Neoclassical Style Backless Hall Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Opulent pair of Italian hall chairs made in the neoclassical style. The chairs feature a backless design having decorative molded raised arms ending with large greek keys topped...
Category

20th Century Italian Neoclassical Side Chairs

Materials

Faux Leather, Wood

21st Century Green and White Deluxe Chair by Modenese Gastone
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Created by the skilled craftsmen of Modenese Gastone Interiors, this dining chair, part of the Deluxe collection, presents a curved wooden structure with white finish, silver leaf ap...
Category

2010s Italian Neoclassical Side Chairs

Materials

Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf

Italian Neoclassical Lyre Back Chairs, Circa 1800
Located in Rochester, NY
Pair of antique Italian Neoclassical lyre back side chairs with carved rosette design at center of curved top back rails. Circa 1800. Look at all pictures and read condition report ...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Pair of French Neoclassical Painted Louis XVI Side Chairs
Located in Hopewell, NJ
French neoclassical giltwood dining chairs featuring a compound shaped rectangular back, carved foliate crest, ornate painted frame with decorative embellishments, padded back and se...
Category

19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Hollywood Regency Faux Bois Cane Dining Armchair Bright Green Upholstery
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A beautiful wood faux bois armchair with cane back and bright green upholstered seat. A Hollywood Regency staple, faux bois furniture is a highly ...
Category

20th Century American Neoclassical Side Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Cane, Wood

Pair Of Fine Neoclassical Style Lyre Back Side Chairs
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Possibly Italian. Elegant side chairs with curved and scrolled crest rails with reeded bands. The lyre form splats with finely carved scrolled leafy sides and a center palmette and l...
Category

19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Pair of Klismos Early 19th Century Ebonized Side Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Klismos Early 19th Century ebonized side chairs. Ebonized wood.
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs

Materials

Wood

Circa 1835 Set of 6 American Late Classical Period Tiger Maple Side Chairs
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
A fine set of 6 American late Classical period tiger maple side chairs, c. 1835. New England origin. Raised on ring turned, tapered legs with vasiform terminals. Cane sears in excell...
Category

1830s American Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs

Materials

Cane, Maple

Antique 19th C. French Empire Regency Mahogany Side Chair with Bronze Ormolu
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Early 19th Century French Empire Regency Mahogany Side Chair with Bronze Ormolu. Item features finely cast bronze ormolu, rounded back with carved top rail, beautiful crotch mahogany...
Category

Early 19th Century Unknown Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs

Materials

Bronze

Pair of English 1900s Neoclassical Style Painted and Gilt Chairs with Feathers
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of English Neoclassical style painted wood side chairs from the early 20th century with parcel gilt décor and carved feather motifs. Created in England at the Turn of the Century which saw the transition between the 19th to the 20th, this pair of Neoclassical style side chairs draws our attention with their shield-style backs adorned with mesmerizing giltwood feathers...
Category

Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Side Chairs

Materials

Wood, Linen, Upholstery

Early Brass Charivari Chair, Italy 1930's
Located in New York, NY
A very early Charivari chair, it is made of cast hollow brass elements silver welded together unlike the later solid brass ones, more unusual is its pierced brass seat, most likely m...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Side Chairs

Materials

Brass

Lovely Pair of Painted 18th century Neoclassical Side Chairs
Located in Hopewell, NJ
1790 French Neoclassical beautiful original grey painted side chairs with traces of old gilding, carved with acanthus leaves, wheat and urns. Reeded legs.
Category

18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs

Materials

Wood

Pair of Mahogany Neoclassical Style Armchairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of mahogany, Neoclassical style armchairs with painted inlay back. Hand painted inlay features cherub and leaf details. Tapered legs and black back spindles. Great age and patin...
Category

1930s American Vintage Neoclassical Side Chairs

Materials

Mahogany

214K chair by Micheale Thonet for Thonet
Located in Ravenna, IT
The famous coffee chair designed by Michael Thonet in 1859 is still considered the world's most successful industrial product. It marks the beginning of the history of modern furnitu...
Category

Early 2000s German Neoclassical Side Chairs

Materials

Reed, Hardwood

Pair of 1940s Italian Neoclassical Sidechairs
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful pair of carved and inlaid fruitwood Italian neoclassical side chairs with carved wood details throughout and tapered legs. Newly upholstered in caramel silk velvet.
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Side Chairs

Materials

Fruitwood

Early 19th Century Baltic Neoclassical Side Chair
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a superb example of a solid mahogany carved and inlaid Danish or Baltic side chair of Klismos form. The chair has been refinished at some point. The quality of the carving, i...
Category

Early 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs

Materials

Velvet, Mahogany

Pair of Neoclassical Side Chairs, Wrapped Metal, Rams Heads, European, Gustavian
Located in Manhasset, NY
Pair of Gustavian or Neoclassical side chairs can be used in any room. Each having fully metal wrapped frames with Finely carved rams heads on the back rests. The finely wrapped metal frames with rose, vine and leaf design tacked securely upon the frames. Enormous time and detail went into the construction of this fine pair of chairs...
Category

Late 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs

Materials

Metal

Pair of Italian Piedmontese Rounded Back Carved and Upholstered Armchairs
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Italian Piedmontese (c.1785) open arm chairs with a rounded back having a carved floral crest, the frame carved with wheat, and the legs having a twisted fluting with light g...
Category

Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs

Materials

Wood

Rare Neoclassical Style Side Chair with Caduceus Crest
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Very rare caduceus carved back to a traditional neoclassical style side chair. The richly historical and ancient Caduceus symbol features ...
Category

19th Century Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs

Materials

Wood

Pair of Italian Neoclassical Side Chairs with Swans and Lyre from the 1850s
Located in Atlanta, GA
This pair of Italian Neoclassical style walnut side chairs from the mid-19th century features slightly concave pierced backs, marrying perfectly the sitter's body. On each chair, the...
Category

Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood, Walnut

A Pair of Hand-Painted Neoclassical Side Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Continental Neoclassical Style Side Chairs having custom blue silk cushion, painted and parcel giltwood body with carved acanthus leaf back support traveling up to octagonal ...
Category

1930s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Side Chairs

Materials

Wood

Single Neoclassical Side Chair
Located in New York, NY
A single Neoclassical side chair. Karelian Birch frame with curved legs and upholstered seat.
Category

19th Century Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs

Materials

Birch

Set of 4 Neoclassical Gustavian Style Chairs, Parcel Gilt & Painted, Sphinx Ca
Located in Manhasset, NY
Set of 4 carved side chairs, desk chairs, office chairs. Finely detailed set of Neoclassical Gustavian Chairs each in a nice scalamandre fabric having winged sphinxes on the back res...
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Neoclassical Side Chairs

Materials

Wood, Paint

Pair Neoclassical Style Side Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair neoclassical style side chairs. The chairs have black lacquered wood frames, a decorative gold pattern with a round bronze insert to ...
Category

1960s Vintage Neoclassical Side Chairs

Materials

Bronze

18th Century Dutch Inlaid Walnut Side Chairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
18th Century Dutch inlaid side chairs. Strong and sturdy, but delicate with different exotic inlaid woods. Ball and claw foot motif. Back...
Category

18th Century Danish Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs

Materials

Wood

Neoclassical Marquetry Desk Chair in the Style of Giuseppe Maggiolini, Italy
Located in Dallas, TX
A spectacular Italian Neoclassical style desk chair, in the manner of Giuseppe Maggiolini, late 19th c. Exquisite marquetry veneer in rosewood, satinwood and other decorative woods. Front fully decorated with intricate inlaid marquetry foliate designs, back featuring a centered foliate cartouche and corner cartouches rising on four elegant squared tapering legs finished with the original brass castor cups. The shape and the inlaid designs are similar to those on pieces of furniture produced by Giuseppe Maggiolini (1738-1814), the foremost cabinet-maker in late 18th-century Milan. Maggiolini and his workshop specialized in marquetry scenes inspired by antiquity, based on drawings by late 18th-century artists and designers such as Andrea Appiani...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Ladder Back Maple and Rush Seats Side Chairs
Located in Germantown, MD
A pair of Mid-Century Ladder Back Maple and Rush Seats Side Chairs Measures 18" width, 40" in height, 17" in depth. Seat height 18"
Category

Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Side Chairs

Materials

Rush, Maple

Pair of Italian Genoese Carved Parcel Gilt Side Chairs, circa 1820-30
Located in Spencertown, NY
The pair of side chairs come from the Palazzo Tursi, Genoa. Residence of King Vittorio Emanuele and Queen Maria Teresa. Probably designed by Carlo Randoni (1755-1831). They are uphol...
Category

1820s Italian Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs

Materials

Wood

Set of 8 Russian Neo-Classic Mahogany Green Chairs
Located in Queens, NY
Set of 8 Russian Neo-classic mahogany & brass mounted side chairs with green leather upholstered seats & backs and brass filigree panel and fruitwood inlaid trim (early 19th Cent)
Category

Early 19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs

Materials

Brass

Continental Neoclassical Style Mahogany Side Chair
Located in Southampton, NY
Continental neoclassical style mahogany side chair. Made in beautiful mahogany wood with an upholstered blue-gray-colored moire silk sea...
Category

19th Century Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs

Materials

Mahogany, Burl

Continental Neoclassic Mahogany Side Chairs
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Continental neoclassic style mahogany side chairs with squared back and pierced vertical splat above turned legs. (possibly Italian, 19th century).
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of 19th Century Maple Side Chairs with Rush Seats
Located in Huntington, NY
A pair of 19th century maple side chairs with rush seats. Seats with remnants of paint. Frames tightened. Chairs touched up & polished.
Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs

Materials

Rush, Maple

19th Century Chinoiserie Queen Anne Style Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Nicely detailed Queen Anne chair. Seat was originally can but now hard upholstered in new mohair. Strong and sturdy.
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs

Materials

Mohair, Wood, Paint

Neoclassical Statement Arm Chair
Located in Medina, OH
This ornate armchair is a fusion of classic design and modern flair with this gorgeous abstract cut velvet! The cream colored background fabric, adorned with a striking black, abstr...
Category

1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Side Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Maple

Michael Taylor Teak Klismos Chair
Located in San Francisco, CA
Michael Taylor was a iconic interior designer, and also designed a number of pieces of furniture. The Klismos design dates back to Ancient Egyptian chairs as well as Ancient Greek. ...
Category

Early 2000s American Neoclassical Side Chairs

Materials

Teak

Set of Four Italian 1820s Neoclassical Dining Room Chairs with Carved Splats
Located in Atlanta, GA
A set of four Italian neoclassical walnut dining room side chairs from the early 19th century, with carved splat, fluted legs and new upholstery. Born in Italy during the first quart...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Italian Neoclassical pair of painted side chairs great Form and Patina
Located in Buchanan, MI
A pair of Italian neoclassical painted side chairs 19th century. Amazing form and carving, lovely old patina. Priced per chair. Measures: Height 34 1/2 inches. Would look great in of...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs

Materials

Giltwood

1970's Neoclassical style Occasional/ Accent/ Side Chair By John Widdicomb
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Very High Quality Arm Chair by John Widdicomb. Front legs have brass wheels. Undulating Textile. Light peach striped fabric. Beautiful quality Chair.
Category

1970s North American Vintage Neoclassical Side Chairs

Materials

Wood

19th Century Chiavarine Chairs Turned Walnut with Hand-Carved Seat
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Elegant Mid-19th century Chiavarine side chairs in turned walnut and with hand-carved seat, restored and finished to wax Measure cm: H 101\47 x W 45 x D 45.
Category

Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs

Materials

Walnut

Mid-19th Century Pair French Provincial Wooden Chairs Yellow Linen
Located in Brescia, IT
These fine French Mid-19th Century wooden chairs have an eclectic style and with theirs yellow linen upholstery they can give a touch of brig...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Early 20th Century Maison Jansen Style Swan Head Side Chair
Located in Augusta, GA
Maison Jansen style iron and brass side chair Made in 1926 in New York Swan heads on arms Original condition Fabulous style!
Category

Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Side Chairs

Materials

Brass, Iron

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...
Category

18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs

Materials

Wood

Pair of Neoclassical Black Painted Side Chairs with Woven Seats, Italy ca. 1790
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of Neoclassical Black Painted Side Chairs with Woven Seats, Italy circa 1790. These period chairs feature rounded tapered legs and a un...
Category

1790s Italian Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs

Materials

Wood

Neoclassical Antique Giltwood Upholstered Swan Armchair, Early 20th Century
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A Neoclassical carved swan armchair with upholstered seat back and seat. This antique piece is created from wood and features armrests that are carved to look like swans. The seat ba...
Category

Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Side Chairs

Materials

Wood, Paint

Neoclassical side chairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Neoclassical side 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 side 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 side chairs made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original side chairs, popular names associated with this style include Chiavari, Casa Bique, Conant Ball, and Dos Gallos Studio. 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 side chairs differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $300 and tops out at $225,000 while the average work can sell for $2,950.

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