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.
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Seating
Linen, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Metal
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Cherry
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Plaster, Pine
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Giltwood, Paint
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Walnut
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Metal, Bronze
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Velvet, Wood
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Wood, Upholstery
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Seating
Mohair, Wood, Paint
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Wood, Giltwood, Upholstery
20th Century Swedish Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Wood
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Metal, Iron
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Wood, Fabric, Upholstery, Giltwood
1810s American Antique Neoclassical Seating
Silk, Upholstery, Pine, Giltwood, Lacquer, Paint
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Cherry
1940s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Wicker, Wood
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Wood, Fabric, Upholstery, Giltwood
20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Hardwood, Wool
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Giltwood
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Seating
Rush, Maple
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Mahogany
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Wood, Giltwood, Fabric, Upholstery
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Giltwood, Paint
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Metal, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Seating
Leather, Velvet, Lacquer
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Seating
Brass, Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Seating
Silver Leaf
1820s Baltic Antique Neoclassical Seating
Mahogany, Giltwood
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Majolica, Pottery
Late 19th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical Seating
Wrought Iron
1840s American Antique Neoclassical Seating
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Seating
Brass
1820s American Antique Neoclassical Seating
Mohair, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Seating
Oak, Fabric, Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Seating
Gold Leaf
20th Century Neoclassical Seating
Giltwood
Early 1900s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Velvet, Wood, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Seating
Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron
1840s Antique Neoclassical Seating
Brass
20th Century French Neoclassical Seating
Silk, Upholstery, Giltwood
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Walnut
Late 20th Century Philippine Neoclassical Seating
Wicker, Rattan, Rush
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Seating
Leather
1820s French Antique Neoclassical Seating
Abalone, Silk, Upholstery, Foam, Mahogany
Mid-19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Mahogany
18th Century British Antique Neoclassical Seating
Feathers
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Iron
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Marble
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Oak
1890s American Antique Neoclassical Seating
Iron
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Silver Leaf
Early 1800s Antique Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Wood
20th Century Neoclassical Seating
Brass
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Seating
Mahogany
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Bronze, Wrought Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Seating
Gold Leaf