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.
Pair Unusual Inlaid Edwardian/Neoclassical Style Slipper Chairs
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is the most unusual pair of chairs that I have ever bought (and I’m a chair addict). The auction house listed the chairs as Edwardian side chairs, but I don’t think they quite ...
Satinwood, Walnut
Camelback Skirted Slipper Chair with Contrast Outside Back, Customizable
By Jhon Ortiz, The Tailored Home
Located in Greenwich, CT
Pricing reflects COM (Customer's Own Material); fabric shown for inspiration only. A gently arched camelback top rail crowns the tight back of this made-to-order slipper chair, its f...
Upholstery, Velvet
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
$3,599Sale Price|20% Off
H 30 in W 17.5 in D 23 in
3 Mid-Century Modern Neoclassical Slipper / Lounge Chairs, Pierre Lottier, 1940
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Slipper, Fireplace or Lounge Chairs in dark green leather by French / Spanish designer, Pierre Lottier.The chairs are in a neoclasslical X frame form in wood with leather cov...
Leather, Wood
$10,241 / set
H 27.96 in W 24.41 in D 25.99 in
Pair of Rare 1940s Danish Lounge Slipper Chairs in Green Patinated Leather
By Viggo Boesen
Located in London, London
A striking and rare pair of Danish lounge chairs dating from the 1940s, embodying the sculptural elegance and exceptional craftsmanship of the period. The chairs feature a distinctiv...
Leather, Beech
French Napoleon III Style Slipper Chair
Located in Buchanan, NY
An outstanding large scale French 1920s Napoleon III style slipper chair. This slipper chair is truly magnificent. It is upholstered ...
Fabric
$750Sale Price / set|76% Off
H 32 in W 30.5 in D 28 in
Chic Pair of Estate Slipper Chairs, Matte Black Fabric
Located in Bronx, NY
chic pair of estate slipper chairs in a cool stretch matte black fabric with a waterfall skirt and inset pleats. Fully refurbished.
$3,716Sale Price|20% Off
H 27.96 in W 30.71 in D 29.53 in
Contemporary Isabella Channelled Slipper Chair in Red Velvet with Legs in Walnut
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. Th...
Velvet, Walnut
Custom Mid Century Style Leather Slipper Chair Pair
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A stylish pair of Slipper Chairs with Pale Tan leather cushions and handsome Exotic wood frames. The chairs with a Minimalist form having an upswept back and tapering legs with Bras...
Leather, Wood
$2,164
H 31.89 in W 25.2 in D 28.35 in
1940s, Danish Slipper Chair Newly Upholstered in Botanical Fabric
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
Beautiful and elegant Danish slipper chair dating from the 1940s, showcasing the refined craftsmanship and organic design language characteristic of mid-century Scandinavian furnitur...
Linen, Beech
$1,370Sale Price|20% Off
H 33.86 in W 22.84 in D 18.9 in
Pair of Leather and Faux-Bamboo Folding Chairs Attributed to Maison Jansen.
Located in Brussels, BE
Elegant pair of folding chairs with faux bamboo, leatjher straps and brass details. Dark brown color. By Maison Jansen 1970.
Brass
Napoleon III Style Slipper Chair
Located in Sheffield, MA
The slipper chair reflects the Napoleon III style of the mid-19th century with gold brocade fabric with deep cushion affect and exuberant fringe. Fr...
Fabric
Pair of 1940s Otto Schulz Easy Chairs
By Otto Schulz
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of luxurious "Schulz" easy chairs by Otto Schultz for Jio Möbler, Sweden. Very early edition featuring large and curved back rests professionally re-upholstered in a grey velvet...
Velvet, Wood
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Slipper Chairs, Pair
Located in North Miami, FL
Classic pair of slipper chairs designed by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, circa 1954. The frames are walnut and the chairs have a wonderful button tufted soft blue leather upholstery. To di...
Leather, Walnut
$2,750
H 32 in W 26 in D 28 in
Mid-Century Jens Risom Style Slipper Chair with Upholstered Seat and Walnut Base
By Jens Risom
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A refined mid-century modern slipper chair in the style of Jens Risom, featuring a sleek low profile and understated elegance. The chair is upholstered in a soft cream fabric with su...
Walnut
Gilbert Rohde, Slipper Chair, Fabric, Wood, USA, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A beige fabric and stained wood slipper chair designed by Gilbert rohde and produced by Haywood Wakefield, USA, 1940s. Seat height 16”.
Fabric, Wood
Pair of Chesterfield Leather Slipper Chairs
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Wonderful and unusual pair of leather slipper chairs in the Chesterfield style. These are relatively smaller in scale than a normal chesterfield club chairs. Crafted from premium...
Leather
$11,500 / set
H 30.75 in W 28.5 in D 30 in
Swedish Designer, Slipper Chairs, Oak, Fabric, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of stained oak and white bouclé fabric slipper lounge chairs designed and produced in Sweden, 1940s. Seat height 16”.
Fabric, Oak
Sold
H 28 in W 20 in D 21 in
Antique Italian Neoclassical Style Carved Arrow Walnut Low Boudoir Slipper Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Antique Italian Neoclassical Style Carved Arrow Walnut Low Boudoir Slipper Chair. Ite...
Fabric, Walnut
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 Michael Taylor, Baker Furniture Company
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
NeoClassical style Chairs After Marc du Plantier
Located in Miami, FL
French modern Neoclassical style slipper chairs in the manner of Marc du Plantier, circa 1980. Newly upholstered with suede, dark stained mahogany. FREE S...
Suede, Mahogany
Set of Four Stamped Jansen Neoclassical Dining or Side Chairs
Located in Stamford, CT
Set of four stamped Jansen neoclassical dining or side chairs. This set of four side or dining chairs are indicative of this iconic designers early work. This turn of the century set...