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Neoclassical Seating

NEOCLASSICAL STYLE

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.

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Style: Neoclassical
Updated Modern Classic Wingchair
Located in Westwood, NJ
Updated Modern classic wingchair, covered in linen to make it neutral and easily placed in any environment. The real drama comes into focus when viewing the exposed ash construction ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Seating

Materials

Linen, Wood

Maison Jansen Style Italian Metal & Gilt Bronze Benches in Leopard Velvet, Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
Who doesn’t love a pair of Maison Jansen style benches in leopard velvet! The cushions are new and are almost 3” thick. The swan appointments...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating

Materials

Metal

Pair of French Neoclassic Upholstered Seat Side Chairs, c. 1795-1810
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Pair of French neoclassic upholstered seat side chairs. The chairs are defined by sabre front and raked rear legs which support an upholstered boxed seat. The splayed upper leg posts...
Category

19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Cherry

Circa 1925 Italian Neoclassical Greek Revival Bench by P. Mazzetti
Located in Chicago, IL
This Circa 1925, Italian bench was crafted in the early part of the twentieth century in the Florence workshop of P. Mazzetti. Incised maker's mark, item number, and artisan initials appear on the left corner of the rear base: "P. Mazzetti, Terre Cotta, Via Arentina 3E, Riproduzione Interdetta 345 Firenze". Beautifully molded Plaster of Paris sphinx statues support...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating

Materials

Plaster, Pine

19th Century Italian Painted and Giltwood Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th Century Venetian giltwood and painted armchair. Newly upholstered and is strong and sturdy.
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating

Materials

Giltwood, Paint

19th-C. French Neo-Classical Carved Walnut Bergere Chairs with Rams, Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
These are fabulous! This is a pair of heavily carved walnut French bergere chairs. They have Neo-classical styling with the ram form arms and instruments along the back frame. The li...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Pair of Italian Neoclassic Patinated Bronze Athenienne Form Urns
Located in New York, NY
PAIR of Italian neoclassic (19th century) bronze Athenian form urns with natural patina, featuring lions\' head embellishments with ring handles, resting on three lions feet joined b...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating

Materials

Metal, Bronze

Pair of Neoclassical Maison Jansen Lounge Chairs circa 1960, 2 Pairs Available
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of French neoclassical Maison Jansen lounge chairs circa 1960. 2 Pairs available. Priced by pair Original velvet fabric, very good condition. Sturdy and very comfortable.
Category

1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Seating

Materials

Velvet, Wood

Italian Neoclassic Shield Back Dining/Side Chair W/ Floral Beige Upholstery
Located in New York, NY
Italian Neo-Classic side chair with an openwork shield form back, carved decorative splat, padded seat upholstered in floral patterned beige fabric with embroidered trim...
Category

18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating

Materials

Fabric, Wood, Upholstery

19th Century Chinoiserie Queen Anne Style Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Nicely detailed Queen Anne chair. Seat was originally can but now hard upholstered in new mohair. Strong and sturdy.
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Seating

Materials

Mohair, Wood, Paint

Pair of Italian Neo-Classic Giltwood Upholstered Taborets / Benches / Stools
Located in New York, NY
PAIR of Italian neoclassic (Late 18th century) giltwood taborets / foot stools with circular brown upholstered padded seats, encircled by a carved frieze in an interlocking pattern, ...
Category

18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery, Wood

Italian Neoclassic Giltwood & Stripe Upholstered Dining / Side Chair
Located in New York, NY
Italian Neo-Classic (18th Century) giltwood dining / side chair featuring a compound shaped oval back, carved foliate crest, ornate painted frame with decorative embellishments, padd...
Category

18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating

Materials

Fabric, Wood, Giltwood, Upholstery

Pair of Swedish Neoclassical Style Klismos Painted and Carved Side Chairs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of Swedish neoclassical style painted wood Klismos side chairs from the 20th century, with carved décor, rosettes, saber legs, low seats and simple black upholstery. Created i...
Category

20th Century Swedish Neoclassical Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Set 10 Iron / Metal French Bistro Cafe Chairs.. Classic Design..
Located in Buffalo, NY
Set 10 Iron / Metal French Bistro Cafe Chairs.. Classic Design..Wonderful patina..color,,finish,, Extremelly comfortable. Hand delivery avail...
Category

1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Seating

Materials

Metal, Iron

Set of 4 Italian Neoclassic Piedmontese Silver Giltwood Upholstered Armchairs
Located in New York, NY
SET of 4 Italian neoclassic (18/19th century) Piedmontese silver giltwood armchairs with a fluted arched back, concave scroll arms, the back and seat upholstered in a gray two-tone t...
Category

18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating

Materials

Wood, Fabric, Upholstery, Giltwood

Set of Eight American Black Lacquered and Gilt Fancy Chairs Baltimore, C. 1810
Located in Hollywood, SC
Set of Eight American black lacquered and gilt fancy chairs with painted bird, floral, and shell motif. Two arms and six sides. Chairs have cane seats with...
Category

1810s American Antique Neoclassical Seating

Materials

Silk, Upholstery, Pine, Giltwood, Lacquer, Paint

Set of Six Neoclassical Style Dining Chairs Italian
Located in San Francisco, CA
Set of Six Walnut Neoclassical Dining Chairs with urn carved back splat sitting on four tapering legs. Italian, Circa 1850. The drop in seats recently upholstered.
Category

Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating

Materials

Cherry

Pair Vintage "Campanino" Chiavari by Fratelli Levaggi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair light and elegant c. 1940s Chiavari dining chairs. The original design dates to the early 19th c., by Giuseppe Gaetano Descalzi. Painted wood with original rush seats. This vers...
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Seating

Materials

Wicker, Wood

Pair of Italian Neo-Classic Black Painted and Gilt Upholstered Dining Side Chair
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Italian Neo-Classic (18th Century) black painted side chairs with curved backs and rectangular tops carved in a two-wreathed swag rese...
Category

18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating

Materials

Wood, Fabric, Upholstery, Giltwood

Ralph Lauren Aran Isles Three Seat Sofa & Pair of Armchairs Suite
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this exquisite pair of RRP £30,300 Ralph Lauren Aran Isles sofa and armchair suite upholstered in Scottish w...
Category

20th Century American Neoclassical Seating

Materials

Hardwood, Wool

Pair of 19th Century French Giltwood Ottomans
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very finely carved giltwood ottomans. Have been newly upholstered in cheetah-leopard print. Great scale and size.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Seating

Materials

Fabric, Giltwood

Pair of 19th Century Maple Side Chairs with Rush Seats
Located in New York, NY
A pair of 19th century maple side chairs with rush seats. Seats with remnants of paint. Frames tightened. Chairs touched up & polished.
Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Seating

Materials

Rush, Maple

Pair of American Mahogany Upholstered Slip Seat Gondola Chairs, '1830-1935'
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Pair of American neoclassic mahogany and figured mahogany veneered slip seat gondola chairs in the French Restoration taste. The boxed slip seat is fitted to a bowed mahogany front s...
Category

Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

Pair of Italian Neo-Classic Ebonized and Parcel-Gilt Red Upholstered Armchairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Italian Neo-Classic ebonized and parcel-gilt armchairs with square form backrests, two tone red-striped upholstered backs and seas with scalloped rope trim, the arms topped w...
Category

18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating

Materials

Wood, Giltwood, Fabric, Upholstery

Giltwood and Painted Benches
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Finely carved giltwood and painted Italian style reproductions. Newly upholstered. Strong and sturdy. Priced per bench.
Category

Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Seating

Materials

Fabric, Giltwood, Paint

Set of 4 Italian Neo-classic Style Leather Upholstered Armchairs
Located in New York, NY
Set of 4 Italian Neo-classic-style (19th Century) armchairs with curved upper backrests followed by 2 fluted X-stretchers, and scroll arms, with padded seats upholstered in black lea...
Category

20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating

Materials

Metal, Brass

Art Deco Scarlet Armchair DEDAR Red Cotton Velvet Handmade Portugal Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Scarlet Armchair, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. Scarlet puts a modern twist on the traditional armchair...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Seating

Materials

Leather, Velvet, Lacquer

Art Deco Scarlet Armchair Wool Bouclé Gold Leaf Handmade Portugal Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Scarlet Armchair, Contemporary collection, handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. Scarlet puts a modern twist on the traditional armchair. The sumptuous upholstery in gr...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Seating

Materials

Brass, Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf

French Neoclassical Talha Real Sofa Jacquard Silver Handmade Portugal Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Talha Real Sofa, Neoclassical Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by GF Modern. The Talha Real sofa adds a sophisticated and refined touch to any living area. The sofa is u...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Seating

Materials

Silver Leaf

Set of Ten Baltic Neoclassical Mahogany and Giltwood Dining Chairs
Located in Essex, MA
Each with rectangular crest rail with gilt beaded border over a carved and beautifully water gilded anthemion shaped splat flanked by stems and leaves. Upholstered seat raised on sli...
Category

1820s Baltic Antique Neoclassical Seating

Materials

Mahogany, Giltwood

Midcentury Italian Majolica Neoclassical Style Garden Seat Stool
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Whimsical Mid-Century Modern Italian Majolica garden seat stool made in the neoclassical taste. The square stool features a Tromp l'oeil verde green tassel...
Category

20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating

Materials

Majolica, Pottery

Hollywood Regency Wrought Iron Curule Bench, Savonarola, Throne
Located in Miami, FL
Stylish wrought iron Curule bench made in the neoclassical taste. Featuring an X-form design with scrolled arms and feet. These bench are als...
Category

Late 19th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical Seating

Materials

Wrought Iron

New England Hitchcock Chairs Rosewood Painted & Stenciled Flowering Plants
Located in Downingtown, PA
New England Hitchcock chairs, Set of Six, Most likely Connecticut, Circa 1840 The set of six side chairs have stenciled gilt decorations of flow...
Category

1840s American Antique Neoclassical Seating

Materials

Wood

Art Deco Flox Pouf Ottoman Faux Fur Velvet Handmade Portugal Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Flox Pouf, Modern Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by GF Modern. A comfy pouf stool with a luxurious touch. Upholstered in blue faux fur and blue velvet jacquard, Flox...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Seating

Materials

Brass

Early 19th Century Parcel Gilt Classical New York Sofa, circa 1820
By Deming & Bulkley
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A spectacular American Empire sofa with exquisite detailing and design. One of the masterpieces of Federal New York furniture, this circa 1820 parcel gilt sofa with faux bois Rosewoo...
Category

1820s American Antique Neoclassical Seating

Materials

Mohair, Wood

Art Deco Lisboa Lounge Chair Grey Velvet Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Lisboa armchair, Modern Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by GF Modern. The Lisboa armchair adds a sophisticated and elegant touch to any living area. The armchair is upholstered in grey velvet and it exudes luxury and perfection. The oval base, legs and backrest in solid American Oak with charcoal stain...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Seating

Materials

Oak, Fabric, Velvet

Art Deco Lisboa Lounge Chair Velvet Gold Leaf Handmade Portugal Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Lisboa armchair, Modern Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by GF Modern. The Lisboa armchair adds a sophisticated and elegant touch to any living area. The armchair is uph...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Seating

Materials

Gold Leaf

Egyptian Style Winged Neoclassical Giltwood Arm Chair with Cheetah Velvet, 1990s
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Priced each. Egyptian Style Winged neoclassical cream and gold giltwood armchair w cheetah velvet. Featuring dramatic giltwood arms and was freshly upholstered in Clarence House ch...
Category

20th Century Neoclassical Seating

Materials

Giltwood

Antique Biedermeier Sofa Made of Velvet Fabric and Carved Wood
Located in Milano, IT
Impressive Biedermeier sofa of Northern European origin from the early 1900s. The majestic sofa features a colossal wooden frame with several special fea...
Category

Early 1900s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Seating

Materials

Velvet, Wood, Walnut

Wrought Iron Deep Seated Lounge Chairs-A Set of 4
Located in Cumberland, RI
Wrought iron deep seated lounge chairs-a set of 4 In stock and ready to ship are a set of 4 generously seated wrought iron arm chairs. These rock...
Category

Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Seating

Materials

Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron

French Restoration Mahogany and Upholstered Serpentine Bench
Located in New York, NY
Of double-serpentine form; covered in butter yellow horsehair with star-motif with silk rope trim; over a deep shaped apron centered by a foliate cusp; on casters.
Category

1840s Antique Neoclassical Seating

Materials

Brass

Pair of Neoclassical Giltwood and Ebonized Benches
Located in New York, NY
Each rectangular seat upholstered in green and off white striped silk taffeta over a rail carved with ebonized bellflower garlands and supporting an outward scrolling armrest to one ...
Category

20th Century French Neoclassical Seating

Materials

Silk, Upholstery, Giltwood

Pair of Italian Neoclassical Painted Armchairs
Located in Essex, MA
A fine pair of chairs with unusual shaped backs and seats. With blue paint, gilding and Etruscan painted decoration. Raised on square tapered legs....
Category

Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating

Materials

Walnut

A Pair of 1980s Rattan and Rush Lounge Chairs with Ottoman Set
Located in Germantown, MD
Vintage rattan and rush lounge chairs with ottoman with canvas loose cushions. Chair is 30" W x 30" D x 38" H. Arm height is 28". Seat interior width is 23" and seat interior depth ...
Category

Late 20th Century Philippine Neoclassical Seating

Materials

Wicker, Rattan, Rush

Traditional Brown Leather Armchair
Located in Westwood, NJ
A traditional brown leather armchair with nailhead trim accents. This classic chair is crafted with pure Aniline top-grade leather in a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Seating

Materials

Leather

French Restoration Mahogany and Parcel Gilt Armchair
Located in New York, NY
The tub-form padded back covered in a herringbone rainbow silk jacquard with reeded gilt crest rail terminating in scrolls and issuing two Downs-swept arms with gilt reeding and foli...
Category

1820s French Antique Neoclassical Seating

Materials

Abalone, Silk, Upholstery, Foam, Mahogany

19th Century Russian Neoclassical Flame Mahogany Sofa
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th Century Russian Neoclassical flame mahogany sofa Russia, 19th Century A fine example of 19th Century Russian Neoclassical furniture...
Category

Mid-19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

George II Library Wing Chair
Located in Sturminster Marshall, Dorset
A fine and well-drawn George II design country house library/drawing room wing chair. This chair is unusual in that it has extremely generous proporti...
Category

18th Century British Antique Neoclassical Seating

Materials

Feathers

Gilt Iron Neo Classical Bench
Located in Tarrytown, NY
Single gilt iron neoclassical style bench with scrolled arms and faux alligator leather upholstered seat.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Seating

Materials

Iron

CASA BIQUE White Tessellated Marble Neoclassical Side Chairs - Pair
Located in Charlotte, NC
A pair of neoclassical style side chairs by Casa Bique, of Thomasville, North Carolina, USA. Solid wood frame with tessellated white marble veneers, high backs, pink velvet like fabr...
Category

Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Seating

Materials

Marble

1940s Pair of Armchairs by André Arbus
Located in Paris, FR
A beautiful variation from a set commissioned in 1945 by Georges Fontaine, administrator of the Mobilier national, for the layout of Jacques Jaujard'...
Category

1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Seating

Materials

Oak

Late 19th Century "Owl Eyes" Ice Cream Parlor Chairs Set of Six
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Great set of 6 ice cream parlor chairs from the late 19th century. Brand New hardwood plywood seats. Disregard seat pics with multiple color fa...
Category

1890s American Antique Neoclassical Seating

Materials

Iron

Pair of 18th Century Silver Leaf and Painted Venetian Side Chairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of 18th Century silver leafed and hand painted Venetian side chairs. Seat inserts are covered in leather. Excellent condition for their age. S...
Category

18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating

Materials

Silver Leaf

Pair of "Nana and Poppa" Barrel Backed Chairs
Located in Newport Beach, CA
Pair of “Nana” and “Poppa” walnut barrel backed chairs from the area of Genoa. Upholstered in new Correggio silk fabric. "Nana" chair slightly smaller than "Poppa" chair measuremen...
Category

Early 1800s Antique Neoclassical Seating

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Set of 8 Mastercraft Silk Velvet Dining Chairs
Located in Houston, TX
Set of 8 vintage Mastercraft Neoclassical style dining chairs. These ebonized chairs with bronze sabots have been newly modified and professiona...
Category

20th Century Neoclassical Seating

Materials

Brass

Neoclassical Upholstered Mahogany Dining Chair, 6
Located in New York, NY
Group of six neoclassical style upholstered mahogany dining chairs raised on tapered legs. Dealer: S138XX.
Category

Late 20th Century Neoclassical Seating

Materials

Mahogany

Theodore Alexander Neoclassical Style Bronze Mounted Wrought Iron Bench
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
This elegant bench by Theodore Alexander features a wrought iron frame with a vibrant (not all black) finish adorned by openwork accented by bronze rosettes and classical scrolls end...
Category

Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Seating

Materials

Bronze, Wrought Iron

Art Deco Loveseat Lisboa Sofa Velvet Gold Leaf Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Lisboa sofa, Modern Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by GF Modern. The Lisboa sofa adds a sophisticated and elegant touch to any living area. The sofa is upholstered in ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Seating

Materials

Gold Leaf

Neoclassical seating for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Neoclassical seating for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage seating created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, building and garden elements, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Neoclassical seating made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original seating, popular names associated with this style include Carpanese Home Italia, Modenese Gastone, Greenapple, and GF Modern. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for seating differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $300 and tops out at $225,000 while the average work can sell for $3,861.

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