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 Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Wood
18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Seating
Mahogany, Fabric
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Giltwood
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Brass, Steel
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Seating
Birch, Fruitwood
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Iron
1990s American Neoclassical Seating
Brass
20th Century Neoclassical Seating
Wood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Seating
Ormolu
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Fruitwood
1990s American Neoclassical Seating
Velvet, Wood
Early 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Seating
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Seating
Leather
2010s American Neoclassical Seating
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Brass
Late 20th Century Philippine Neoclassical Seating
Wicker, Rattan, Rush
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Silk, Upholstery, Cane, Wood, Giltwood
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Steel
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Seating
Cane, Fruitwood
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Seating
Velvet, Walnut
20th Century Neoclassical Seating
Iron
20th Century Neoclassical Seating
Wood, Beech, Maple
Late 20th Century Canadian Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Satinwood
1780s Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Gold Leaf
Mid-20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Seating
Aluminum
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Seating
Iron
Early 20th Century German Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Wood, Mohair
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Leather, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Wood
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Seating
Wood, Wicker
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Brass
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Velvet, Giltwood
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Wood
2010s European Neoclassical Seating
Wrought Iron
Early 2000s American Neoclassical Seating
Teak
Mid-20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Seating
Cane, Wood, Paint
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Walnut
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Seating
Wood
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Leather, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Seating
Leather, Wood
1820s American Antique Neoclassical Seating
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Giltwood, Fabric, Ebony
20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Aluminum
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Leather, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Wood
Late 18th Century British Antique Neoclassical Seating
Serpentine
1860s Danish Antique Neoclassical Seating
Brass
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Seating
Gold Plate
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Fruitwood
20th Century Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Mahogany
1880s English Antique Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Wood
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Velvet, Wood, Giltwood
1930s Swedish Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Velvet, Birch
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Seating
Wood
1970s Swedish Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Velvet, Beech, Pine
1990s American Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Wood, Down
1930s American Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Seating
Brass