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.
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 authentic neoclassical furniture today on 1stDibs.
2010s Italian Neoclassical Seating
Gold Leaf
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Metal
1990s American Neoclassical Seating
Cowhide, Wood
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Brass
Late 20th Century North American Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Foam, Hardwood, Giltwood, Paint
Early 19th Century Scandinavian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Fruitwood
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Leather, Walnut
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Seating
Mahogany
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Fruitwood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Seating
Iron
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Seating
Gold Leaf
1950s North American Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Wood, Leather
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Seating
Wood
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Seating
Wood
1990s Italian Neoclassical Seating
Wood
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Wood
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Seating
Bronze
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Wood
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Steel
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Walnut
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Leather, Burl
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Velvet, Wood
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Bronze
1940s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Wicker, Wood
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Seating
Bronze, Wrought Iron
1970s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Textile, Wood
17th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Wood
20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Aluminum
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Wrought Iron
Early 1900s Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Leather, Wood, Giltwood
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Velvet, Mahogany
2010s Great Britain (UK) Neoclassical Seating
Lacquer
2010s American Neoclassical Seating
Abalone, Upholstery, Cherry, Mahogany
2010s Italian Neoclassical Seating
Marble, Gold Leaf
2010s Italian Neoclassical Seating
Gold Leaf
20th Century Canadian Neoclassical Seating
Burl
2010s American Neoclassical Seating
Linen, Oak
2010s American Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Mahogany
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Seating
Birdseye Maple
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Cane, Mahogany
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Brass
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Foam, Hardwood
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Brass, Steel
2010s Italian Neoclassical Seating
Gold Leaf
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Wood, Fabric
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Seating
Wrought Iron
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Seating
Gold Leaf
2010s American Neoclassical Seating
Steel
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Wrought Iron
1930s French Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Wood, Fabric
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Fruitwood
20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Seating
Wood, Fabric
Early 19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Giltwood
2010s American Neoclassical Seating
Linen, Mahogany
19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Birch
2010s American Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Wood