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.
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Giltwood, Fabric, Ebony
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Seating
Walnut
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Walnut
Early 1900s Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Gold Leaf
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Seating
Brass
20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Wrought Iron
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Wood, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary North American Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Wood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Beech
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Iron
20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Suede, Mahogany
18th Century British Antique Neoclassical Seating
Teak
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Fruitwood
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Linen, Walnut
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Seating
Wood, Linen, Upholstery
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Seating
Velvet, Wood
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Wood
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Neoclassical Seating
Pine
20th Century Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Mahogany
20th Century Neoclassical Seating
Iron
20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Giltwood
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Seating
Metal
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Cane, Bentwood
20th Century Neoclassical Seating
Iron
2010s American Neoclassical Seating
Velvet, Maple
Early 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Seating
Mahogany, Giltwood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Wood
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Steel
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Seating
Aluminum
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Mahogany, Oak
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Silk, Upholstery, Walnut
1790s Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Walnut
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Bronze
2010s American Neoclassical Seating
Mahogany
Early 19th Century Unknown Antique Neoclassical Seating
Bronze
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Brass
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Wood, Walnut
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Giltwood
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Cane, Hardwood, Paint
1820s Russian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Birch, Giltwood
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Seating
Linen, Wood
20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Seating
Brocade, Wood
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Steel
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Wood
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Oak
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Seating
Leather
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Linen, Walnut
Late 19th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical Seating
Wrought Iron
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Leather, Wood
1780s Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Wood, Giltwood
2010s Italian Neoclassical Seating
Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf
20th Century Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Seating
Leather, Wood
2010s Neoclassical Seating
Bronze
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Brass