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.
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Wood, Mahogany
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Velvet, Walnut, Down
1880s Swedish Antique Neoclassical Seating
Ash
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Wood
Late 18th Century American Antique Neoclassical Seating
Pine
Late 18th Century British Antique Neoclassical Seating
Serpentine
1930s American Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Suede
Early 2000s American Neoclassical Seating
Teak
1830s English Antique Neoclassical Seating
Mahogany
18th Century Antique Neoclassical Seating
Wood
1970s Swedish Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Velvet, Beech, Pine
1970s Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Wood
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Velvet, Wood, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Seating
Walnut
Early 19th Century Baltic Antique Neoclassical Seating
Silk, Yew
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Seating
Oak
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Metal
1790s Swedish Antique Neoclassical Seating
Silk, Walnut
20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Giltwood
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Oak
Late 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Wood
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Leather, Wood
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Linen, Walnut
20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Hardwood, Wool
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Brass
20th Century Neoclassical Seating
Iron
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Brass, Steel
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Brass, Nickel
1780s American Antique Neoclassical Seating
Oak
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Wood, Walnut
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Seating
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Seating
Brass
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Brass
2010s Italian Neoclassical Seating
Gold Leaf
20th Century Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Wood
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Textile, Silk, Walnut
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Seating
Iron
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Linen, Wood
1780s Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Wood, Giltwood
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Seating
Leather, Wood
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Linen, Walnut
20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Metal
20th Century Neoclassical Seating
Wood
20th Century Neoclassical Seating
Mohair
2010s American Neoclassical Seating
Brass
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Brass
Early 2000s American Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Bronze
2010s American Neoclassical Seating
Linen, Oak
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Mahogany, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Seating
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Bronze
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Wood
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Wood
20th Century French Neoclassical Seating
Leather, Oak
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Brass
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Wood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Beech