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.
Classic Skirted Slipper Chair in Hot Pink Velvet with Contrast Velvet Back
By Jhon Ortiz, The Tailored Home
Located in Greenwich, CT
About this piece Made to order skirted slipper chair. As shown with cotton velvet and cut velvet contrast outside back. How we work Made t...
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
$8,380Sale Price / set|40% Off
Pair of Maison Jansen Louis XV neoclassical slipper chairs 1940s
Located in Paris, IDF
The craftsmanship of this pair of slipper chairs was deeply cared about, and it really shows some eight decades later. The side chairs were made and stamped by Maison Jansen in the e...
Wood
Italian Neoclassical Style Slipper Chair with Cream and Gold Painted Accents
Located in Morristown, NJ
20th Italian neoclassical style slipper chair with a cream and gold painted carved frame, a cream striped upholstered seat and back. Unmarked. Dimensions: 37.75"h x 22"w x 20"d 18"...
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Neoclassical Italian Giltwood Slipper Chair
Located in Houston, TX
Neoclassical Italian giltwood slipper chair circa 1810. Masterfully hand-carved and gilded slipper chair with cabriole legs raised upon hoof feet. Upholstered in original - or very e...
Silk, Upholstery, Giltwood
French Neoclassical Style Carved Back Slipper Chair and Needlepoint Seat
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Neoclassical style carved back slipper chair with needlepoint seat circa 1920-1930. This elegant French slipper chair, crafted circa 1920-1930, epitomizes the refined taste ...
Wood, Upholstery
Pair of Curvaceous 1940s Slipper Chairs
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Curvaceous Slipper Chairs, in the manner of William "Billy" Haines, American, circa 1940's. They are currently being refinished and r...
Upholstery, Wood
$1,895 / set
H 31.5 in W 20 in D 19 in
Hollywood Regency Era French Style Painted Slipper Chairs In Cut Velvet -Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of Hollywood Regency Era Italian slipper chairs newly upholstered in a cut velvet. The frame is an ivory paint with gilt accents. The wood has a general wear. They are...
Upholstery, Wood
Pair Vintage Regency Style Slipper Chairs
Located in Trenton, NJ
This stunning pair of high back regency modern slipper chairs feature ornate ebonized wooden frames with gilt detail and brass studded trim. The comfortably padded upholstered seats make this an excellent set of occasional chairs...
Upholstery, Wood
$4,000 / set
H 30.75 in W 33 in D 29.75 in
Pair of 1940s Glamorous Grosfeld House Channel Backed Wide Slipper Chairs
By Lorin Jackson, William Billy Haines, Grosfeld House
Located in St. Louis, MO
Pair of 1940s high style Lorin Jackson for Grosfeld House wide body slipper chairs with channeled backs on splayed legs. Of the Hollywood Period, these lounge chairs do have neoclas...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Needlepoint Upholstered Slipper Chair
Located in Kittery Point, ME
Of typical form, raised on legs ending in casters.
Wood, Fabric
Slipper Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Janus Collection
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Stylish and elegant slipper chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar ca' 1950's. Upholstered in Fret custom Italian silk velvet, luxurious to the touch, (samples available). Chocolate bra...
Mahogany
$2,957Sale Price|35% Off
H 27.96 in W 30.71 in D 29.53 in
Contemporary Isabella Occasional Chair in Liberty Pink Velvet Upholstered Legs
By Stuart Scott
Located in Trowbridge, Wiltshire
The Isabella Occasional Chair is a new take on one of our signature pieces. The exquisite tailored fluting and distinctive lines give a shapely feminine edge, without the wings of its equally as elegant cousin. Shown here upholstered in Liberty Fabrics Bloomer cotton velvet, with trim in Samuel & Sons Cambridge cord in Melon. This edition features upholstered legs...
Velvet, Walnut
$2,320Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 35 in W 28 in D 28.5 in
Pair of Hollywood Regency Channel Back Slipper Chairs
Located in Pasadena, TX
Pair of Hollywood Regency Channel back slipper chair. Regency style chairs with channel backs. Cabriole Queen Anne legs. They have a bowed front and are very well made. Reuphols...
Fabric
$3,796Sale Price|20% Off
H 27.96 in W 30.71 in D 29.53 in
Contemporary Isabella Scalloped Slipper Chair Juniper Green Velvet Walnut Legs
By Stuart Scott
Located in Trowbridge, Wiltshire
The Isabella slipper chair is one of our signature pieces. The exquisite tailored fluting and distinctive lines give a shapely feminine edge. This design is superb upholstered in a v...
Velvet, Walnut
$650
H 40 in W 19 in D 22 in
French Louis XV Provincial Style Five Leg Peach Painted Boudoir Slipper Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Louis XV Provincial Style Five Leg Peach Painted Boudoir Slipper Chair. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 40" H x 19" W x 22" ...
Fabric, Wood
American Designer, Slipper Chairs, Wood, Fabric, USA, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of white fabric slipper chairs designed and produced in the US, c. 1940s. Seat height: 19.4”
Fabric, Wood
$16,500 / set
H 25.5 in W 28 in D 30 in
Danish Designer, Slipper Chairs, Beech, Mohair, Denmark, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of green mohair and beech lounge chairs or slipper chairs designed and produced by an unknown cabinetmaker, Denmark, c. 1940s. Seat height: 15"
Mohair, Beech
Baker Furniture Slipper Chairs
Located in Southampton, NJ
Gorgeous pair of Slipper Chairs by Baker Furniture of North Carolina. These chairs are in immaculate condition with no wear, tears or fading. Glare is from overhead lighting. Come fr...
Fabric
French Antique Neoclassical Style Slipper Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Materials: Carved Wood, Original Upholstery
Upholstery, Wood
Eichholtz Hermes Manner Boudoir Chair & Ottoman
Located in Astoria, NY
Eichholtz Hermes manner boudoir chair and ottoman stool upholstered in tufted gray wool, mounted with silver-tone metal grommets and equestrian bit to r...
Metal
Sold
H 36 in W 23 in D 27 in
Neoclassical Sally Sirkin Lewis Channel Back Mahogany & Velvet Slipper Chairs
Located in Southampton, NJ
A pair of mahogany swag arm channel back velvet slipper chairs with Klismos or saber back legs and brass sabots on the front attributed to Sally Sirkin Lewis...
Brass, Steel
Antique Neoclassical Style Ebonized and Gilt Lolling Chair
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A diminutive and Classic Lolling Chair. The carved sloping fluted frame ebonized with gilt details and carved scrolled ends with rosettes, turned fr...
Fabric, Wood
Edward Ferrell French Style Slipper Chair
By Edward Ferrell + Lewis Mittman 1
Located in Southampton, NJ
Edward Ferrell Ltd. Modern French style slipper chair with Neoclassical styling to the tapered & spade terminated legs. Suitable for a variety of uses including, side, occasional or ...
Abalone, Upholstery, Cherry, Mahogany
Sold
H 35.5 in W 22 in D 25 in
Wonderful Michael Taylor for Baker Spoon Back Neoclassical Chair, Midcentury
By Michael Taylor, Baker Furniture Company
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Wonderful Michael Taylor for Baker spoon back neoclassical chair. Wow, this vintage chairs is stunning in person, we love the original finish which has a k...
Upholstery, Walnut
Sold
H 35.5 in W 22 in D 25 in
Wonderful Pair of Michael Taylor for Baker Spoon Back Neoclassical Chairs
By Michael Taylor, Baker Furniture Company
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Wonderful pair of Michael Taylor for Baker spoon back neoclassical chairs. Wow, these vintage chairs are stunning in person, we love the original finish wh...
Upholstery, Walnut
Elegant Italian Neoclassical Fruitwood Caned Seat Spoonback Armchairs
Located in Miami, FL
Elegant neoclassical warm fruitwood spoonback armchairs on casters with hand caned seats. Italian craftsmanship reigns in the carved fluted legs and...
Cane, Fruitwood
Antique Slipper Chair
Located in Chicago, IL
This chair has been tufted upholstered with Great Plains mohair and solid wood base, structurally sound with walnut stain. The lowest point of the seat is 14.5.
Upholstery, Walnut
Sold
H 36 in W 21.5 in D 24 in
Michael Taylor for Baker Spoon Back Slipper Lounge Chair Mahogany Neoclassic
By Baker Furniture Company, Michael Taylor
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Michael Taylor for Baker Mahogany Spoon Back Slipper Lounge Chair. Chair features a solid mahogany wood frame, sleek sculptural form, and upholstered seat.
Upholstery, Mahogany
Pair of Neoclassic Black Lacquer and Gilt Rams Head Barrel Back Chairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A pair of neoclassic black lacquer and gilt rams head barrel back chairs, great scale and detail. Ready for reupholstery in fabric of your choice.
Upholstery, Wood