Neoclassical Seating
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.
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Mahogany
1970s Swedish Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Velvet, Beech, Pine
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Leather, Mahogany
1970s Swedish Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Velvet, Beech, Pine
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Fruitwood
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Seating
Mahogany, Burl
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Neoclassical Seating
Iron
1990s Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Wood
1970s Swedish Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Velvet, Beech, Pine
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Brass
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Mahogany
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Hardwood
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Rush, Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Rush, Maple
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Seating
Gold Leaf
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Hardwood
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Leather, Mahogany
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Mahogany
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Foam, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary European Neoclassical Seating
Iron
1830s American Antique Neoclassical Seating
Leather, Upholstery, Mahogany
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Seating
Leather, Upholstery, Giltwood
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Steel, Iron
20th Century Neoclassical Seating
Hide, Giltwood
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Leather, Bamboo
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Maple, Oak, Walnut
20th Century Neoclassical Seating
Brass
Early 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Seating
Wood
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Seating
Maple
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Mahogany
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Bronze, Iron
2010s European Neoclassical Seating
Wrought Iron
1860s Danish Antique Neoclassical Seating
Brass
19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Seating
Textile, Wood
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Seating
Wood
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Silk, Upholstery, Walnut
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Seating
Bronze, Wrought Iron
20th Century Neoclassical Seating
Giltwood, Wood
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Brass, Steel
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Bronze
Mid-19th Century Antique Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Wood
20th Century Neoclassical Seating
Leather, Wood
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Chrome, Iron
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Wrought Iron
1930s French Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Wood, Velvet
Late 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Seating
Mohair, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Neoclassical Seating
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Wood
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Alpaca
20th Century Neoclassical Seating
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Seating
Leather, Wood
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Wood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Walnut
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Seating
Wood





