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.
Early 20th Century Nichols and Stone Barely Back Windsor Armchair
Located in Germantown, MD
An early 20th century Nichols And Stone Barely Back Windsor stained ArmChair. Very sturdy. Good vintage condition. Measures 25" in width, 23" in depth and 35.5" tall. Arm height is 2...
Hardwood
18th C Dimes Extended Arm Sack Back Windsor Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This 18th C extended arm sack back Windsor is from New England. This comes to us from a private collection.This is stamped Dimes underneath the seat.
Wood
Early 20th Century Nichols and Stone Barrel Back Windsor Armchair
Located in Germantown, MD
An early 20th century Nichols And Stone Barrel Back Windsor stained ArmChair. Very sturdy. Good vintage condition. Measures 25" in width, 23" in de...
Hardwood
Faux Bamboo Windsor Side Chair
Located in Houston, TX
Faux bamboo Windsor side chair with a square-shape rod back. Carved and turned faux-bamboo stiles, splayed legs and stretchers in ash. Shaped seat in elm. Rem...
Birch, Fruitwood
Black Lacquer Faux Bamboo Windsor Armchair
Located in Pasadena, TX
This armchair is lacquered in black with gold accents. The legs are made to have the look of bamboo. The arms are in a natural walnut and the back has 6 spindles.
Lacquer
Early 20th Century S. Bent & Bros Oak Brace Back Windsor Chair
Located in Germantown, MD
Early 20th Century S. Bent & Bros Oak Brace Back Windsor Chair. Measures 18.5" in width, 18 " in depth and 36.5" in height. Seat height is 18:
Oak
Set of Six English Windsor Chairs
Located in Antwerp, BE
Six unusual and wonderful aged, worn patina chairs are in good condition.They look fantastic together as a set. The seat height of all seats is 18.5 in. (47 cm) The height of the armrest is 26.77 in. (68 cm) The two high back chairs are 37.79 in. (96 cm) high x 22.04 in. (56 cm) wide and seat height 18.50 in. (47 cm) x 22.04 in. (56 cm) deep. The other four Windsor chairs...
Wood
$1,995
H 37.5 in W 21.5 in D 22 in
Pair S. Bent & Brothers Ebonized Maple Fiddle / Fan Back Windsor Chairs Half Arm
Located in Germantown, MD
Early 20th Century Pair of S. Bent & Brothers Ebonized Maple Fiddle / Fan Back Windsor Chairs Half Arm Chairs Measures 21.5 " in width, 22 " in...
Maple, Paint
19th Century Low-Back Windsor Chair
Located in Chicago, IL
This charming mid-19th century English low back Windsor chair is a testament to the craftsmanship and enduring style of the era. The chair features a distinctive bent yew wood crest ...
Elm, Yew
18th Century Bentwood Windsor Chair
Located in Stockton, NJ
An interesting late 18th century elm Windsor chair. Interesting and rare continuous bentwood hoop back construction.
Wood
19th Century Fine English West Country Comb Back Windsor Chair
Located in Puglia, Puglia
A beautiful 19th century English ash and oak scallop-back Windsor chair with outward facing arms supported by inverted stretchers, turned legs connected by a bentwood stretcher and a...
Oak
Windsor Armchair, 1930
Located in Ludwigslust, DE
The classic Windsor chair, designed in a very beautiful, clear line, comes in very good condition. The ends of the armrests show an attractive patina, the chair in general has minima...
Ash
Early 19th c. Scottish Windsor Armchair
Located in Greenwich, CT
An early 19th century Scottish windsor chair in patinated elm with hoop back, saddle seat, turned front legs and adzed back legs joined by turned H-stretchers. Classic form and charm...
Ash, Elm
Pair Early 20th Century Maple Fiddleback Windsor Side Chairs
Located in Germantown, MD
A Pair Early 20th Century Maple Fiddleback Windsor Side Chairs. Measure 20" in width and 20" in depth and 35.5" in height. Seat height 17".
Maple
$1,995 / set
H 34 in W 21 in D 22 in
Pair of Early American Maple Faux Bamboo Ebonized Windsor Side Chairs, C. 1810s
Located in Germantown, MD
Pair of Early American Maple Faux Bamboo Ebonized Windsor Side Chairs, Circa 1810s. Totally Handcrafted in Late Federal period, making this pair not identical as machine produced. Ha...
Maple, Paint
Pair of American Hoopback Windsor Chairs
Located in Chicago, IL
A pair of 20th century American Windsor chairs with continuous hoop backs, saddles seats, turned legs tapering to narrow feet, and their original black painted finishes. Perfect at a...
Wood
18th c. American Sack Back Windsor Armchair
Located in Greenwich, CT
Late 18th or early 19th century American sack back Windsor armchair with historic green painted surface, the bow back supported by seven spindles over bentwood arm with shaped handho...
Ash
Vintage Brace Comb Back Windsor Chair - Pair
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Brace Comb Back Windsor Chair - Pair This pair of comb baked chairs display spiraled wings and carved legs. They would look beautiful beside a fireplace or at a bedside. The...
Wood, Paint
American Windsor Bench Early 19th C.
Located in Southampton, NJ
Early 19th c single plank seat Windsor bench with wood spindles of bamboo turnings and mortised joinery throughout. The form is simple and has a warm natural patina. Enhanced with ne...
Textile, Birch, Oak, Poplar
Set of Six Bowback Windsor Chairs in Black Paint by D.R. Dimes
By D.R. Dimes
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Fine set of six Traditional Windsor chairs. Marked on the bottom. Sturdy hand-made museum quality reproduction Windsor bowback side chairs in blac...
Wood
19th C Birdcage Windsors Chairs Set of four
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th C Birdcage Windsors Chairs from Pennsylvania. Set of four. Hickory and Pine
Wood
19th C Extended Scroll Arm Windsor Arm Chairs. Set of Four
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great Set of Eight 19th C Extended Scroll Arm Windsor Chairs. From Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Chairs are slightly different. 35 H x 21.5 W x 17....
Wood
18th C Windsor Baloon Back Chairs 'Signed Moon'
Located in Los Angeles, CA
18th C Windsor Baloon back chairs (Signed Moon) Samual Moon Furniture Maker, Bucks County, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Wood, Paint
1930s Vintage N E Hurricane Souvenir Chair
Located in Germantown, MD
Authentic 1938 NE Hurricane Souvenir chair in dark finish. Chair has been refinished and is in great structural condition. Measures: 15.5"W × 15.5"D × 32.5"H.
Oak
Spanish Black Leather Armchair in Mahogany with Wheels, 1930s
Located in Miami, FL
Spanish black leather armchair in mahogany wood with wheels, 1930s Black chair in black leatherette with swivel wheels, metal base and mahogany wood armrests. As you can see in th...
Leather, Mahogany
Sold
H 33 in W 23 in D 22.5 in
L. Hitchcock Black Harvest Stenciled Back Maple Windsor Rocking Arm Chair Rocker
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Hitchcock rocking chair or rocker. Features black ebonized and maple with stenciled slats. Made in Hitchcocksville Connecticut.
Maple, Paint
Set of Six Claud Bunyard American Windsor Dining Armchairs
By Claud Bunyard
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Classic set of six American Windsor dining armchairs designed by Claud Bunyard (American 1910-2005) for Nichols and Stone. Wonderful interpretation of the iconic American Windsor tha...
Ash
Elegant Ebonized Governor Bradford Windsor Comb Back Chair
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Beautifully crafted and elegant Windsor chair having saddle seat, thin spindles of ebonized wood, comb back and turned legs. By W F Whitney, Ashburnam MA. C...
Wood
Early Continuous Windsor Chair Attributed to Ebenezer Lacy, circa 1780
By Ebenezer Lacy
Located in Buffalo, NY
Early continuous Windsor chair with chestnut seat circa 1780 attributed to Ebenezer Lacy, great old chair for your Americana collection.
Chestnut, Oak