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 18th Century Antique Neoclassical Seating
Brass
1860s French Antique Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Mahogany, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Seating
Beech
21st Century and Contemporary North American Neoclassical Seating
Leather
1820s Russian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Seating
Leather
1960s Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Wood, Cane
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Neoclassical Seating
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Neoclassical Seating
Walnut
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Straw, Cherry
Early 19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Seating
Wood
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Oak, Velvet
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Seating
Wood
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Seating
Mahogany
Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Birch
Late 18th Century Danish Antique Neoclassical Seating
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Giltwood
1840s Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Other
1840s Antique Neoclassical Seating
Brass
1760s English Antique Neoclassical Seating
Damask, Mahogany
1870s German Antique Neoclassical Seating
Walnut
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Giltwood, Paint
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Seating
Cane, Wood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Seating
Mahogany
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Walnut
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Giltwood
1960s Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Wood
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
19th Century Irish Antique Neoclassical Seating
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Neoclassical Seating
Walnut
Early 1900s Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Wood, Giltwood
Late 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Seating
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Leather, Wood
Early 19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Walnut
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Seating
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Wood, Leather
1950s European Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Oak
18th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Walnut, Velvet
1820s Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Tapestry, Wood, Giltwood, Velvet
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Brass
Mid-20th Century European Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Wood
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Seating
Gold Leaf
1820s German Antique Neoclassical Seating
Elm
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Seating
Leather, Fabric, Wood
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Mahogany
2010s Italian Neoclassical Seating
Gold Leaf
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Seating
Leather, Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Seating
Wood, Leather, Fabric
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Chenille, Velvet, Wood
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Seating
Straw, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Seating
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Seating
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Seating
Leather, Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Leather, Wood
18th Century British Antique Neoclassical Seating
Brass