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.
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Iron
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Giltwood
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Cane, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Brass, Bronze, Wrought Iron
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Wood, Giltwood
1780s American Antique Neoclassical Seating
Oak
2010s European Neoclassical Seating
Wrought Iron
Late 20th Century French Neoclassical Seating
Brass, Iron
Late 20th Century Philippine Neoclassical Seating
Wicker, Rattan, Rush
20th Century Neoclassical Seating
Giltwood, Wood
Early 20th Century North American Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Wood, Mahogany
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Wood
Mid-19th Century Antique Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Chestnut, Mahogany
1780s Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Gold Leaf
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Metal
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Leather, Fabric, Wood
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Rattan, Wood
1930s Swedish Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Velvet, Birch
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Metal, Brass
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Seating
Cane, Fruitwood
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Seating
Concrete
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Seating
Leather, Wood
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Wood
20th Century North American Neoclassical Seating
Leather, Wood, Maple
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Wood
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Velvet, Wood
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Seating
Birch
1820s Baltic Antique Neoclassical Seating
Birch, Giltwood
19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Mahogany, Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Wood
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Seating
Linen, Upholstery, Walnut
2010s American Neoclassical Seating
Linen, Mahogany
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Brass
Early 1900s Unknown Antique Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Wood
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Seating
Walnut
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Seating
Wood
20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Wood
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Leather, Wood, Giltwood
20th Century Neoclassical Seating
Wood
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Seating
Leather, Canvas
20th Century French Neoclassical Seating
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Seating
Gold Plate
1880s Swedish Antique Neoclassical Seating
Ash
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Brass, Steel
2010s Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Mahogany
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Seating
Ormolu
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Brass, Nickel
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Seating
Silk, Mahogany, Giltwood
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Cherry
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Wood
2010s Italian Neoclassical Seating
Marble, Gold Leaf
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Linen, Upholstery, Wood
1980s Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Giltwood
1930s French Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Linen, Walnut
1990s American Neoclassical Seating
Brass
Late 20th Century North American Neoclassical Seating
Linen, Fruitwood
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Faux Leather