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.
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Linen, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Seating
Gold Leaf
Early 19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Seating
Cherry
Early 20th Century North American Neoclassical Seating
Hardwood
18th Century British Antique Neoclassical Seating
Feathers
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Faux Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Seating
Leather
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Wood, Fabric
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Brass
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Maple
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Seating
Velvet, Wood, Paint
1820s Baltic Antique Neoclassical Seating
Mahogany, Giltwood
20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Metal
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Maple
21st Century and Contemporary Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Wood, Giltwood
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Wood, Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Leather, Wood
1960s Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Cane, Wood
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Walnut
20th Century French Neoclassical Seating
Leather, Oak
20th Century French Neoclassical Seating
Bronze
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Walnut
Mid-20th Century English Neoclassical Seating
Iron
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Seating
Maple, Oak, Walnut
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Wood
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Canvas, Maple
1890s American Antique Neoclassical Seating
Iron
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Plastic, Hardwood, Paint
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Leather, Walnut
20th Century Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Mahogany
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Leather, Walnut
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Seating
Walnut
Late 18th Century Portuguese Antique Neoclassical Seating
Rosewood
1810s Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Seating
Leather, Wood
Late 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Seating
Leather, Wood
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Seating
Pine
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Neoclassical Seating
Wood, Leather
Early 1900s Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Leather, Giltwood, Wood
2010s American Neoclassical Seating
Mahogany
18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Beech, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Seating
Leather
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Brass
Early 1900s Swedish Antique Neoclassical Seating
Ormolu
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Wicker, Wood
19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Seating
Wood
19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Birch
2010s American Neoclassical Seating
Animal Skin, Mahogany
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Seating
Metal
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Linen, Poplar
19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Seating
Gold, Brass
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Seating
Wood
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Seating
Wood
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Iron