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.
18th Century and Earlier American Antique Neoclassical Seating
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Seating
Brass
Early 1800s German Antique Neoclassical Seating
Cherry
Mid-20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Seating
Bronze, Wrought Iron
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Velvet, Wood
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Majolica, Pottery
1920s Swedish Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Iron
Early 20th Century German Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Wood, Mohair
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Wood
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Pine
Mid-20th Century English Neoclassical Seating
Iron
2010s American Neoclassical Seating
Mahogany
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Silk, Upholstery, Mahogany
Early 2000s American Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Seating
Wood
Early 2000s American Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Wood
1930s French Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Linen, Walnut
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Bronze
2010s American Neoclassical Seating
Linen
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Steel
Late 19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Wood
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Seating
Mahogany, Fabric
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Chrome, Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Seating
Leather, Fabric, Velvet, Faux Leather, Wood
2010s American Neoclassical Seating
Linen
1820s French Antique Neoclassical Seating
Cherry
1980s Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Giltwood
1990s Italian Neoclassical Seating
Leather, Cherry
1920s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Gold Leaf
Mid-20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Seating
Cane, Wood, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Seating
Wood
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Seating
Brass
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Brass
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Seating
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Seating
Wood
1840s American Antique Neoclassical Seating
Maple
Early 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Seating
Wood
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Bronze
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Seating
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Wood
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Textile, Upholstery, Walnut
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Seating
Metal
1880s British Antique Neoclassical Seating
Wood
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Brass
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Wood
Late 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Seating
Linen, Walnut
Early 19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Metal
1820s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Walnut, Silk
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Seating
Iron
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Seating
Brass, Iron
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Seating
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Wood
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Neoclassical Seating
Pine
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Seating
Leather
1810s American Antique Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Mahogany
20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Suede, Mahogany
20th Century Canadian Neoclassical Seating
Burl, Fabric





