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.
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Wrought Iron
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Seating
Walnut
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Metal
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Seating
Mohair, Wood, Paint
Early 2000s German Neoclassical Seating
Reed, Hardwood
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Faux Leather, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Seating
Leather
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Silk, Wood, Giltwood
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Textile, Wood, Walnut
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Seating
Gold Leaf
Mid-20th Century European Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Aluminum
1950s European Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Cherry
2010s American Neoclassical Seating
Velvet, Maple
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Seating
Leather, Fabric, Wood
Early 1800s Antique Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Wood
Early 2000s American Neoclassical Seating
Leather, Mahogany
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Seating
Rush, Wood, Paint
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Walnut, Giltwood
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Walnut
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Beech
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Bronze
1920s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Metal, Iron
1940s European Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Metal
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Wood
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Seating
21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Wood
2010s American Neoclassical Seating
Sheepskin, Mahogany
1890s Danish Antique Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Mahogany
1970s Swedish Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Velvet, Beech, Pine
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Seating
Mahogany
19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Mahogany, Giltwood
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Brass, Steel
1970s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Wood
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Seating
Wood
1780s American Antique Neoclassical Seating
Oak
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Walnut, Giltwood
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Brass
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Seating
Straw
1790s Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Wool, Wood
Late 19th Century Scottish Antique Neoclassical Seating
Leather, Mahogany, Giltwood
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Seating
Pine
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Velvet, Wood, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Seating
Oak
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Wood, Giltwood
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Giltwood
18th Century Antique Neoclassical Seating
Wood
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Seating
Wood
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Leather, Walnut
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Linen, Velvet, Wood
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Seating
Wood, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Seating
Walnut
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Wood, Giltwood
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Silk, Upholstery, Walnut
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Seating
Rush, Maple
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Linen, Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Seating
Gold Leaf
Early 19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Seating
Cherry