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.
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Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Seating
Wood, Wicker
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Chrome, Iron
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Brass
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Velvet, Wood
Early 1800s German Antique Neoclassical Seating
Cherry
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Bronze
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Paint, Pine
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Wood
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Hardwood
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Brass
Mid-20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Seating
Leather
2010s American Neoclassical Seating
Linen
Early 2000s American Neoclassical Seating
Leather
1920s Swedish Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Iron
Late 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Seating
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Seating
Cane
20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Rattan
1860s Danish Antique Neoclassical Seating
Brass
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Steel
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Mahogany
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Seating
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Seating
Nickel
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Seating
Iron
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Velvet, Giltwood
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Seating
Metal
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Seating
Hardwood, Paint
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Seating
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Wrought Iron
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Seating
Mahogany, Oak, Walnut
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Velvet, Fruitwood
Late 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Seating
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Wrought Iron
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Brass
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Seating
Aluminum
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Alpaca
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Seating
Walnut
1980s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Bronze
Mid-19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Mahogany
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Seating
Leather, Wood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Wood
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Brass
1820s American Antique Neoclassical Seating
Mahogany
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Velvet, Wood, Giltwood
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Silk, Upholstery, Cane, Wood, Giltwood
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Leather
16th Century British Antique Neoclassical Seating
Mahogany
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Leather, Wood
1810s American Antique Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Mahogany
1980s French Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Wrought Iron
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Pine
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Textile, Upholstery, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Neoclassical Seating
Wood, Leather
Early 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Wood
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Seating
Gold Leaf
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Wood
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Brass, Steel