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
Period: Late 20th Century
Period: 19th Century
Pair of 19th Century Italian Carved and Painted Side Chairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Newly upholstered in turquoise color high-end fabric. Strong. Sturdy. Comfortable.
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Wood, Paint
Classical Regency Style Black Lacquered Gilded Chairs
By Drexel
Located in Rochester, NY
Set of four Neoclassical Regency style side chairs / dining chairs with beautifully tailored striped upholstered seats and backs, faux bamboo turned legs, gilded crossed arrows at to...
Category
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
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
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
Pair of New York mahogany Klismos slip seat side chairs, 1825
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Pair of New York Klismos slip seat side chairs in mahogany and figured mahogany veneers. The chairs have a curved and figured veneer applied crest rail with scrolled edge over a curv...
Category
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
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
Set of three American upholstered seat mahogany side chairs, 1800-1810
By Duncan Phyfe
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
Lee Jofa Custom Parsons Chairs, a Pair
By Lee Jofa
Located in Hartville, OH
Brilliant pair of Custom made parsons chairs in a peachy salmon Lee Jofa fine plaid with a contrasting celery green trim on the shirt. These are beautiful and pristine.
Conditio...
Category
1990s American Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Upholstery
Rod-Back Windsor Side Chair
Located in Houston, TX
Rod-back windsor side chair with a square-shape back. Carved and turned faux-bamboo stiles, splayed legs and stretchers in ash. Shaped seat in elm....
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Iron
Pair of 19th Century Maple Side Chairs with Rush Seats
Located in New York, 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
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 Italian Neoclassic Patinated Bronze Athenienne Form Urns
Located in New York, NY
PAIR of Italian neoclassic (19th century) bronze Athenian form urns with natural patina, featuring lions\' head embellishments with ring handles, resting on three lions feet joined b...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Bronze, Metal
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
Pair of American Mahogany Upholstered Slip Seat Gondola Chairs, '1830-1935'
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Pair of American neoclassic mahogany and figured mahogany veneered slip seat gondola chairs in the French Restoration taste. The boxed slip seat is fitted to a bowed mahogany front s...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
CASA BIQUE White Tessellated Marble Neoclassical Side Chairs - Pair
By Casa Bique
Located in Charlotte, NC
A pair of neoclassical style side chairs by Casa Bique, of Thomasville, North Carolina, USA. Solid wood frame with tessellated white marble veneers, high backs, pink velvet like fabr...
Category
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Marble
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
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
Italian Neoclassical Lyre Back Chairs, Circa 1800
Located in Rochester, NY
Pair of antique Italian Neoclassical hand carved lyre back side chairs with rosette carving at center of curved top back rails. Both chairs with early period construction and nicely ...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of Neoclassical Side Chairs, Wrapped Metal, Rams Heads, European, Gustavian
Located in Stamford, CT
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
Vintage Conant Ball Low Back Bow Back Maple Windsor Spindle Chair
By Conant Ball
Located in Germantown, MD
1970s Conant Ball low back windsor chairs. Solid maple wood construction. Excellent condition.
Low back and bow back with spindles.
Measuremen...
Category
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Maple
Pair of Steel and Gilt Metal Hall Chairs
Located in Stamford, CT
An attractive pair of steel and gilt metal side chairs with black leather seats. Sold in pairs. Four available.
Category
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Steel
19th Century Italian Side Chairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Early 19th Century painted Italian low side chairs. Newly upholstered in aqua velvet. Flower garland and urn motif.
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Velvet, Wood, Paint
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
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
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
Vintage Splendid Solid Bubinga Wood Chairs, a Pair
Located in Germantown, MD
Vintage pair of splendid Bubinga Wood in excellent condition. These chairs are all solid Bubinga throughout. Bubinga is also called African Rosewood. Admire the beauty of plain Bubin...
Category
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Bubinga
Drexel Heritage Side Chair in Burgundy & a Fine Upholstery, a Pair
Located in Plainview, NY
Drexel Heritage Side Chair in Burgundy & a Fine Upholstery, a Pair
An elegant pair of Drexel Heritage side chairs that will look prefect i...
Category
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of Patinated Wood and Gold Leaf Armchairs by Maison Forest, France
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Pair of patinated wood and gold leaf armchairs by Maison Forest, France, late 19th century.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Gold Leaf
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
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
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 19th Century Italian Neoclassical Side Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of 19th century Italian neoclassical side chairs. Gold leaf and painted wood frame with linen upholstered seats.
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Gold Leaf
Pair of Italian Neoclassical 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.
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Giltwood
Pair of Neoclassical Side Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of neoclassical side chairs.
Mahogany with carved details.
Category
1820s Russian Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of 19th Century Side Chairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of 19th century French oval back side chairs.
Category
19th Century Unknown Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Wood
Fine Pair of Neoclassical Side Chairs, 1st Half 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
An elegant pair of Italian Neoclassical mahogany chairs adorned with patinated brass mounts from Italy. These chairs feature bold saber shaped legs and vertical lyre shaped back supp...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Brass
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
Set of Four Neoclassical Side Chairs
Located in New York, NY
A set of four neoclassical side chairs.
Mahogany with patinated brass inlay, details and sabots.
Category
Mid-19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Brass
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
Continental Neoclassic Mahogany Side Chairs
Located in New York, 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
Early 19th Century French Empire Regency Mahogany Side Chair with Bronze Ormolu
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Early 19th century mahogany side chair with bronze ormolu. Item features finely cast bronze ormolu, rounded back with carved top rail, beautiful crotch mahogany veneer, drop seat wit...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Bronze
Set of Four Baltic Empire Chairs
Located in Lambertville, NJ
An extraordinary set of four Baltic neoclassical parcel-gilt and silver gilt side chairs each with scrolled and circular backrest and applied with anthemion and palmette decoration. Upholstered in an elegant gold and white jacquard fabric.
Category
Mid-19th Century Baltic Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Birch
Set of 4 Italian Neoclassic Silk Upholstery Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Set of 4 Italian Neoclassic style parcel gilt & cream painted side chairs with green damask silk upholstery above spiral fluted turned legs (19th Cent)
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Damask, Giltwood
Set of Six Russian Neoclassic 'First Half of the 19th Century' Side Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Set of six Russian neoclassic 'first half of the 19th century' mahogany side chairs with upholstered seat and carved foliate and rosettes on corner of back with sabre form front legs...
Category
Early 19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
Set of 4 Italian Neo-Classic Floral Side Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Set of 4 Italian Neoclassic white painted and floral decorated side chairs (19th Century)
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Pair Art Nouveau Neoclassical Chairs , Hand-Carved Walnut, Spring Leather Seat
Located in Vigonza, Padua
1990s, elegant chairs restored and polished to wax, finely hand-carved walnut, seat in original leather in good condition with straps and springs.
Suitable for writing table or for e...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Walnut, Leather
Pair of French Neoclassical Side Chairs in Walnut two-tone Wax Polished
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Late 19th century pair of French Neoclassical side chairs in walnut two-tone ( ebonizedthe front and dark walnut the back ) with seat i...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Walnut, Silk
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
Pair of English Victorian Painted Side Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of English Victorian (Aesthetic Movement) painted side chairs with lion head finials on back with and upholstered seat and back and front stretcher
Category
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Italian Neo-Classic Shield Side Chair
Located in New York, NY
Italian Neo-classic style (19th Cent) brown painted and gilt trimmed side chair with oval open carved shield form back and striped upholstered seat.
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Gold Leaf
Set of 8 Russian Neo-Classic Mahogany Green Chairs
Located in New York, 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
Set of 4 Klismos-Style Chairs
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Two chairs and two armchairs. Original cognac-coloured leather seats with fine gold embossed frieze.
Dimensions provided below are for the armchairs. The chairs measure (in centim...
Category
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Leather, Wood
Neoclassical Ebonized Side Chair, Early 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
Side chair with a shield-shaped backrest and an ebonized frame boasting elegant sabre legs. The backrest is highlighted with brass profiles and veneered in rich walnut, adding a touc...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Materials
Brass
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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