Neoclassical Seating
NEOCLASSICAL STYLE
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.
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Style: Neoclassical
21st Century Carpanese Home Italia Sofa with Wooden Legs Neoclassic, 6443
Located in Sanguinetto, IT
Modular sofa characterized by a soft backrest that enhances the comfort.
The wooden carved legs improves the classic look of the sofa and give a mo...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Leather, Fabric, Wood
Italian Early 19th Century Neo-Classical St. Settee
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and unique Italian early 19th century Neo-Classical st. settee. The settee with all original paint and faux marble finished is raised on a solid rectangular base. With squ...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Wood
Pair of English Mahogany and Leather Armchairs in the Neoclassical Style
Located in London, GB
A fine pair of armchairs in the neoclassical in the manner of Robert Adam
Constructed in mahogany with hand-painted gilt accents and red leather, each with oval backs enclosed wit...
Category
Late 19th Century Scottish Antique Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Leather, Mahogany, Giltwood
Wood and Gold Leaf Three Piece Suite, France, Late 19th Century
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Wood and gold leaf three piece suite. France, late 19th century.
Attributed to Maison Jansen.
Dimensions:
Large sofa: 91 cm height, 137 cm width, 67 cm depth, 48 cm seat height....
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Gold Leaf
19th Century Carved Fruitwood Armchairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautiful pair of carved fruitwood armchairs from England in the neoclassical style. The carvings have an urn with overflowing flowers and vines. The chairs are upholstered in silk w...
Category
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Fruitwood
French Antique Neoclassical Armchairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gorgeous, antique pair of French arm chairs in the neoclassical style.
Each chair consists of an elegantly carved wood frame with a distressed paint finish and new linen upholstery....
Category
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Linen, Wood, Paint
Pair of Bordeaux Velvet + Gilded Iron Sculptural Side Chairs, 20th Century
Located in Chicago, IL
A pair of vintage sculptural side chairs featuring intricate gilded iron frames with high backs and elegant scroll motifs. Rich, bordeaux hued velvet upholstery beautifully complemen...
Category
20th Century Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Iron
Neoclassical Banquettes
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A set of three neoclassical gilded wood upholstered banquettes. Individually priced.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Fabric, Paint, Wood
21st Century Carpanese Home Italia Sofa with Wooden Legs Neoclassic, 6439
Located in Sanguinetto, IT
3 seater sofa characterized by a soft backrest that enhances the comfort.
The wooden carved legs improves the classic look of the sofa and give a m...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Leather, Fabric, Wood
Early 19th Century armchairs
Located in SE
A pair of armchairs made in France about 1810. The armchairs have Egyptian heads carved on their armrest and at the foot end lion feets. There are four equal chairs, it is possible t...
Category
1810s French Antique Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Mahogany
Black Leather Armchair
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This beautiful armchair is made with a rounded wooden frame. The legs are in stepped black wood and the armchair is upholstered in high quality black leather...
Category
1990s Spanish Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Wood, Leather
Fine Pair of 19th Century Continental Carved Mahogany Library Armchairs
Located in New York, NY
Each with padded back and armrests within a channeled frame, enriched with stylized foliate and floral motives; the over-uphosltered seat over a deep seat rail and boldly reeded fron...
Category
1870s French Antique Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Silk, Upholstery, Foam, Mahogany
Walnut Small Bench or Stool, Spain, 18th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Sidewalk. Walnut wood. Century XVIII.
Rectangular board stool with smooth molding on the edge and turned legs in the shape of balusters, which are secu...
Category
18th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Other
Theodore Alexander Gregory Neo-classical Style Bench
Located in Forney, TX
A stunning contemporary Neo-classical style Gregory bench by fine quality luxury furniture designer Theodore Alexander.
The Gregory features a sophisticated Louis XVI style Neoclas...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood, Giltwood
19th Century Chiavarine Chairs Turned Walnut with Hand-Carved Seat
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Elegant Mid-19th century Chiavarine side chairs in turned walnut and with hand-carved seat, restored and finished to wax
Measure cm: H 101\47 x W 45 x D 45.
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Walnut
Modern Classic Elizabeth I Armchair in Carved Wood and Patinated Fine Gold Leaf
By Bessa
Located in Oporto, PT
Inspiration:
This is one of the most premium armchairs of Bessa´s collection. Worthy of the grandeur of an empire, it is made with the most premium fabrics on the market, admirably h...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Gold, Gold Leaf
21st Century Carpanese Home Italia Armchair with Wooden Legs Neoclassic, 5937
Located in Sanguinetto, IT
Armchair.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Leather, Fabric, Wood
21st Century Carpanese Home Italia Armchair with Wooden Legs Neoclassic, 5637
Located in Sanguinetto, IT
Armchair characterized by a soft backrest perfectly shaped that enhances the comfort.
The wooden frame improves the classic look of the sofa and give a more elegant feeling.
On the backrest and on the sitting pillows...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Leather, Fabric, Wood
Barclay Butera for Baker Furniture Co. Leather & Suede Wingback Chairs, Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of leather and suede wingback chairs designed by Barclay Butera for Baker Furniture Company. They are in very good condition with lite wear. They are marked and date t...
Category
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Brass
Pair of "Nana and Poppa" Barrel Backed Chairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of “Nana” and “Poppa” walnut barrel backed chairs from the area of Genoa. Upholstered in new Correggio silk fabric.
"Nana" chair slightly smaller than "Poppa" chair measuremen...
Category
Early 1800s Antique Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Carved patinated wood and silk stool. France, late 19th century.
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Carved patinated wood and silk stool. France, late 19th century.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Silk, Wood
Danish mahogany artist stool in Neoclassical style, Denmark 1890’s
Located in Valby, 84
A beautifully crafted Danish artist stool from the 1890s, made of solid mahogany in an elegant neoclassical style. The stool features finely turned legs and a well-proportioned desig...
Category
1890s Danish Antique Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Fabric, Mahogany
Vintage Conant Ball Low Back Bow Back Maple Windsor Spindle Chair
By Conant Ball
Located in Germantown, MD
1970s Conant Ball low back windsor chairs. Solid maple wood construction. Excellent condition.
Low back and bow back with spindles.
Measuremen...
Category
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Maple
Early 20th Century Antique Lawyers or Lobby Bench
Located in Southampton, NJ
An especially handsome early 20th c. Lawyers bench of striking Tiger Oak with unusual arrow back & arms, heavy bronze as well as mortis & tenon joinery u...
Category
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Bronze
Small Settee in the Neoclassical Taste
Located in New York, NY
Small Settee in the neoclassical taste
Boston, Massachusetts (active 1804–17), about 1810
Mahogany (secondary woods: ash)
Measures: 35 1/8 in. high, 59 3/4 in. long, 19 1/8 in. deep
Although the diminutive scale of this settee places it in a unique category, the piece itself partakes of a vocabulary that is common in Boston furniture of the Late Federal period. Its sabre legs, for example, as seen straight on from the left and right ends, are closely related to the legs, as seen from the front, on a group of chairs of undisputed Boston origin, including a spectacular armchair with scrolled arms (see Stuart P. Feld, Boston in the Age of Neo-Classicism, 1810–1840, exhib. cat. [New York: Hirschl & Adler Galleries, 1999], p. 37 no. 6 illus. in color), as well as a number of side chairs, including a set made for Nathan Appleton (see Page Talbott, “Boston Empire Furniture, Part I,” The Magazine Antiques, CVII [May 1975], p. 887 fig. 12). In all, the legs are ornamented with two bold, somewhat flattened reeds set between corner beads, a pattern which is repeated here on the front and end seat rails as well. The superb quality of the piece is further demonstrated in the finely drawn profile of the arms, as well as the delicately bulbous surface of the fronts of the arms and legs. As in the best of the related chairs, the sabre legs end in delicately carved paw feet. The added refinement of the beautifully carved rosettes at both the fronts and backs of the arms suggests that the piece may have been designed to be used in the round.
Stylistically harmonious with these pieces is also a group of larger sofas with frontally set sabre legs and scrolled arms (see Page Talbott, “Seating Furniture in Boston, 1810–1835,” The Magazine Antiques, CXXXIX [May 1991], p. 963 pl. 11) that represent an indigenously Boston form. Although none of the furniture in this group has been effectively attributed, they can certainly be related to various Boston card tables...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Wood
Rare Pair of French Directoire Fauteuils en Curule, Paris, circa 1800, G. Jacob
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
These finely sculpted fauteuils supported by curule-form bases, reflect the 'antique' influence of the excavations at Pompeii and Herculaneum during the 18th century. This form based on the antique Roman sella...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Mahogany
Classic Upholstered Dining Armchair (Sets of 2)
Located in Westwood, NJ
English influence in 19th-century design, where elegance meets modern comfort. Slender saber legs and a sculptural wooden frame define the base, offering a delicate, graceful silhoue...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Traditional Asian Influenced Solid Dark Wood Carved Bench / Sofa 1940's
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Traditional Heavy Darker Toned Wooden Bench/ Sofa/ Daybed. We received this piece from our people in France who "pick" for us sometimes and we were told this piece is from Japan.
Category
1940s Japanese Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Wood
Pair of French Neoclassical-Style Giltwood Armchairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of French Neoclassical-Style Giltwood Armchairs
Country: France
Materials: Carved Gold-Leaf Wood, New Alpaca Mohair
Condition: Newly Reupholstered, New Alpaca Mohair
Style: ...
Category
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Alpaca
Set of Four 19th Century Upholstered Walnut X-frame Stools
Located in London, GB
Set of four 19th century upholstered walnut X-frame stools
Italian, c. 1840
Height 53cm, width 49cm, depth 40cm
Wonderfully made in Italy in around 1840, this set of four X-frame ...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Textile, Wood, Walnut
Six French Neoclassical Dining Chairs in Off-White Velvet by Maurice Hirsch
Located in Astoria, NY
Exquisite mid-20th-century set of six dining chairs by the esteemed French maker Maison Maurice Hirsch, celebrated for neoclassical designs inspired by the grandeur of the Louis XVI ...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Metal
Pair of Antique Italian Neoclassical Benches
Located in Dallas, TX
Stunning pair of Italian neoclassical lacquered wood benches. The structure is in lacquered wood in yellow ocher, gold, and ivory white and feature carved wing motifs and fluted legs...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Silk, Wood, Lacquer
Pair of Oak and Leather Armchairs by De Coene Frères
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice and elegant pair of neoclassical style armchairs is made of oak and leather. This is a Belgian work by De Coene Frères. Circa 1940
Category
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Leather, Oak
21st Century Green and White Deluxe Chair by Modenese Gastone
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Created by the skilled craftsmen of Modenese Gastone Interiors, this dining chair, part of the Deluxe collection, presents a curved wooden structure with white finish, silver leaf ap...
Category
2010s Italian Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf
Neoclassic Style Walnut Stool with Brown Velvet Top
Located in Van Nuys, CA
French-inspired neoclassic style walnut stool with brown velvet top.
Category
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Walnut
Set of 4 Neoclassical Gustavian Style Chairs, Parcel Gilt & Painted, Sphinx Ca
Located in Manhasset, NY
Set of 4 carved side chairs, desk chairs, office chairs. Finely detailed set of Neoclassical Gustavian Chairs each in a nice scalamandre fabric having winged sphinxes on the back res...
Category
1960s Swedish Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Wood, Paint
21st Century Carpanese Home Italia Chair with Wooden Legs Neoclassic, 6010
Located in Sanguinetto, IT
Chair.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Leather, Fabric, Wood
Mid-Century Cerused Wingback Chair with Celadon Cut Velvet
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a killer chair! The cerused finish is original as is the celadon cut velvet. The velvet is vintage and shows moderate wear. Patina! It is unmarked. Arm; 27.5 Seat; 20”. I am ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Wood
Swedish Painted Settee with Lyre Back
Located in Pembroke, MA
Nicely-carved, painted Swedish settee in the neoclassical style. The carved elements feature a lyre back terminated with eagles' heads, women's faces on the ...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Wood, Upholstery
Vintage Solid Maple Directors Chairs with Brown Canvas Upholstery, a Pair
Located in Germantown, MD
Pair of vintage solid maple directors chairs. Brown canvas upholstery. Excellent condition.
Measurements are 23"W x 18"D x 33"H. Seat height is 1...
Category
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Canvas, Maple
Pair of Steel and Gilt Metal Hall Chairs
Located in Stamford, CT
An attractive pair of steel and gilt metal side chairs with black leather seats. Sold in pairs. Four available.
Category
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Steel
Pair of Vintage Upholstered Carved Wood Curcule Benches by Baker
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of vintage curcule-style benches, each having a rectangular upholstered crown seat, on X-frame base, its legs carved with anthemion details ending with rosettes, joined by folia...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Light Oak Classic Dining Armchairs
Located in Westwood, NJ
A refined piece that blends the clean, sophisticated lines of early 19th-century design with modern comfort. The chair's graceful silhouette, hand-finished in a serene Dover finish, ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Wood
High-End Gilded Two Seater Beige Sofa by Modenese Luxury Interiors
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Bright up and indulge your living space with this beige & gold bespoke sofa of two seats. A classic shape is enhanced with clean neutral tone, pleated texture, capitonné back and a plush seat cushion. Accompanied with the elegant matching gold damask fabric on over the seat and upholstered around the back of the sofa. Splendidly standing on the specially gilded lion sofa...
Category
2010s Italian Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Marble, Silver Leaf, Gold Leaf
Transitional Andrew Gower for Jasper Group Portrait Dining Chairs - Set of 4
Located in Secaucus, NJ
Fabulous transitional style set of four Portrait dining or guest chairs by Jasper Group.
Elegant lines define the portrait's timeless classic design, the serpentine front balances w...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood, Maple
Pair of Vintage Cast Metal Chairs by Karl Freidrich Schinkel
By Karl Friedrich Schinkel
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Vintage Cast Metal Chairs by Karl Freidrich Schinkel
We believe these are mid to late 20th century productions. They are heavy, but not as heavy as iron. Easier to manage. ...
Category
20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Metal
Set Mid-20th Century Italian Savonarola Wrought Iron Brass Chair Footstool Bench
Located in Miami, FL
Mid-20th Century Set of Faldistori, Savonarola Armchair and Footstool or Bench in forged and wrought iron, with original polished bronze knobs and medallions brass ornaments.
The Acc...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Brass, Bronze, Wrought Iron
Pair Of Italian 18th Century Neo-Classical St. Walnut And Giltwood Benches
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and unique pair of Italian 18th century Neo-Classical st. Walnut and Giltwood benches from Tuscany. Each three seat bench is raised by four square cabriole legs with the f...
Category
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Walnut, Giltwood
Set of Eight Neoclassical Style Dining Chairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of eight 1930's painted Neoclassical style dining chairs. The chairs stand on four straight legs that have a fluted ball at the to...
Category
1930s French Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Linen, Walnut
Italian Mid-19th Century Neoclassical Style Settee
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exquisite Italian mid 19th century neo-classical st. settee with an Egyptian revival influence. The light green patinated frame is stunningly decorated with giltwood designs throu...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Giltwood
Pair of Antique Neoclassical Armchairs, Early 19th Century
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Pair of antique neoclassical armchairs with flame mahogany frames, Velvet Upholstered seat, and Gilt-brass Hardware. These beautiful armc...
Category
Early 19th Century Baltic Antique Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Brass
Lacquered Ivory Neoclassical-Inspired Bed Bench by Modenese Interiors
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Marvelous white lacquered satin bed bench with side bars and cabriole leg, ideal in luxury bedrooms alongside cabinets, make up tables and wardrobes. This seating features a sinuous ...
Category
2010s Italian Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf
Neoclassical, Pink Mohair, Stained Wood, Traditional Lounge Chairs, USA, 1970s
Located in Manhasset, NY
Neoclassical, Pink Mohair, Stained Wood, Traditional Lounge Chairs, USA, 1970s
Pair of custom quality tufted back traditional lounge chairs in pink mohair likely produced by Drexel ...
Category
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Velvet, Wood
Pair of French Mid Century Hand Painted Neoclassical Cock Fighting Chairs
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous pair of neoclassical cock fighting chairs with lyre backs and swivel seats. Hand painted with bronze rods in the lyre. Seat height is 19inches.
Category
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Brass
Pair of Antique Italian Neoclassical Style Armchairs
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Pair of antique 17th century neoclassical style armchairs with original walnut finish (restored condition). Inside back, seat and arms uphol...
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Fabric, Walnut
Rococo Dining Chair in Black and Gold Finish by Modenese Luxury Interiors
Located in PADOVA, Italy
A glimpse to the past, with this handcrafted luxury piece of timeless rococo beauty. An elegant floral upholstered seating gracefully on top of the contrast black painted carving woo...
Category
2010s Italian Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Gold Leaf
Embroidered Round Poof
Located in Westwood, NJ
Expertly benchmade and upholstered in the USA, this exquisite vanity-height ottoman features a plush high-density foam cushion, ensuring both comfort and support. The luxurious 100%...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary North American Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Elegant White Piano Stool with Gold Leaf Decorations by Modenese
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Enjoy your unique customized piano while playing it sitting on one of our most beloved poufs. Its four empire legs end with a firm and robust lion's paw and all its wooden surfaces a...
Category
2010s Italian Neoclassical Seating
Materials
Gold Leaf
Neoclassical seating for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Neoclassical seating for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage seating created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, building and garden elements, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Neoclassical seating made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original seating, popular names associated with this style include Carpanese Home Italia, Modenese Gastone, Greenapple, and GF Modern. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for seating differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $300 and tops out at $225,000 while the average work can sell for $3,861.