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.
2010s American Neoclassical Seating
Linen, Oak
18th Century Antique Neoclassical Seating
Wood
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Wood
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Seating
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Carrara Marble
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Wood
2010s American Neoclassical Seating
Linen, Walnut
Early 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Seating
Leather, Wood
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Wood, Mahogany
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Linen, Walnut
2010s Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Mahogany
2010s American Neoclassical Seating
Fabric
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Brass
Early 19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Seating
Brass
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Seating
Wood
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Giltwood
2010s American Neoclassical Seating
Shagreen, Suede
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Aluminum
2010s American Neoclassical Seating
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Seating
Wood
Late 20th Century North American Neoclassical Seating
Linen, Fruitwood
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Wicker
2010s American Neoclassical Seating
Linen, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Seating
Wood
Early 1900s Unknown Antique Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Wood
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Cane, Hardwood, Paint
20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Suede, Mahogany
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Silk, Wood
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Faux Leather, Wood
20th Century Neoclassical Seating
Silk
20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Seating
Concrete
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Seating
Velvet
19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Wood, Birch
21st Century and Contemporary North American Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Wood
18th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Gold Leaf
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Seating
Faux Leather, Wood
Early 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Seating
Cherry
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Seating
Leather
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Seating
Cane, Mahogany
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Wood
2010s American Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Burl
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Wrought Iron
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Giltwood
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Maple
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Wood, Walnut
Late 20th Century French Neoclassical Seating
Brass, Iron
2010s American Neoclassical Seating
Leather, Mahogany
1970s Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Wood
Early 20th Century European Neoclassical Seating
Cane, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Seating
Leather, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Seating
Silver Leaf
18th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Walnut, Velvet
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Oak
1920s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Wood
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Seating
Leather, Mahogany