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.
Pair Custom Mogul Los Angeles Espresso-Brown Velvet High-Back Wing Chairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair Custom Mogul Los Angeles Espresso-Brown Velvet High-Back Wing Chairs with Ebonized Neoclassical Legs Monumental in presence yet refined in execution, this pair of custom-made w...
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
Mid-Century Cerused Wingback Chair with Celadon Cut Velvet
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a killer chair! The cerused finish is original as is the celadon cut velvet. The velvet is vintage and shows moderate wear. Patina! It is unmarked. Arm; 27.5 Seat; 20”. I am ...
Wood
Luxurious Caramel Leather Wingback Chair with Mahogany Legs
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Luxurious large caramel leather wingback chair having mahogany carved legs and arms with enveloping interior elbow rests. Handsome ball and claw feet. Arm height 26.5 Between Interi...
Leather, Mahogany
Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams Herringbone Beige Wingback Armchairs, Set of 2
By Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Pair of Wingback Chairs by Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams. The chairs are upholstered in a neutral chenille with a herringbone texture. The wood legs are square with a taper, with a bl...
Upholstery, Wood
$3,422 / item
Transitional Brown Leather Wing Chair
Located in Westwood, NJ
Blending contemporary comfort with traditional elements through its exaggerated wings and rich top-grain cowhide upholstery. Masterfully crafted details include flared arms with vert...
Leather, Wood
Pair of Swedish Empire Chairs, Early 19th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
A striking pair of early 19th-century Swedish Empire chairs, defined by their bold architectural silhouettes and disciplined neoclassical lines. The rectangular upholstered backs are...
Fabric, Wood
$2,102 / item
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 ...
Linen, Wood
$3,141 / item
Classic Wingback Leather Chair Cuban Brown
Located in Westwood, NJ
With the Cuban brown traditional top grain Vintage style leather, with high classic wingback backrest and boxed cushion seat raised on tapered legs. Dimensions: 28" W x 36" D x 40" H...
Leather
Incredible Pair of Compatible Lipstick Red Wing Chairs
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A Pair of very well made, solid feeling and comfortable wing chairs upholstered in a striking lipstick red leather. Both of the chairs have traditional flat-panel arms and tapered wo...
Brass
$1,985Sale Price|61% Off
American Wingback Chair, Mahogany Wood, Early 19th Century Design
Located in San Francisco, CA
An early 19th century (possibly late 18th century) American Wingback style Gentleman's Chair. Sturdy and sound with a nice generous seat. In need of new upholstery. When this chair ...
Upholstery, Wood
$4,071 / item
Dark Brown High Back Leather Wing Chair
Located in Westwood, NJ
Upholstered in rich, full-grain Newark brown leather, this chair features a dramatic high-back design that creates an elegant silhouette. The winged sides and gently curved arms are ...
Leather, Wood
$1,560Sale Price|35% Off
Mid-20th Century Classic American Wing Back Chair
Located in Sheffield, MA
The classically elegant American wingback chair is upholstered for deep comfort in a green and yellow stripped faux satin fabric. The "knees" of the front legs of this wing chair feature stylized shells. Georgian Wing back chair...
Wood, Fabric
$3,250
H 50 in W 27 in D 29 in
19th Century Neo-Renaissance Style Carved Wingback Chair with Upholstery
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A handsome Renaissance style wingback chair with nicely carved hardwood frame, upholstered back and loose upholstered seat from the Belle Époque. Features carved scrolled arms with a...
Walnut
Mid-Century Wingback Armchair in Rose Velvet, English Taste
Located in London, GB
A charming mid-century wingback armchair, newly upholstered in a soft rose velvet, offering a relaxed silhouette and an inviting, cocooning comfort, bringing an air of romance and co...
Velvet, Wood
$2,904
H 41.34 in W 28.75 in D 34.65 in
1940s Fritz Hansen Style Wing Back Lounge Chair with Mocha Brown Leather
By Fritz Hansen
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Danish modern wing back chair most likely manufactured by Fritz Hansen A/S in Denmark in the period 1930-1950s The comfortable chair is upholstered with mocha brown leather with pat...
Leather, Beech
19th Century Georgian Style Wingback Chairs
Located in Pomona, CA
Antique Georgian circa 1850 Wingback armchairs with ornately carved cabriole legs and William Morris style flat top arms. The chairs have been recovered in a green mohair fabric. Th...
Mohair, Wood
Semi Antique Custom Upholstered Carved Wing Chair
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A fine custom upholstered semi antique wing chair in a classic style and having good details. A shaped crest rail for the wings ending in scrolled arms with carved bell flowers and l...
Brass
Oversized English Leather Wing Armchair
Located in London, GB
This gorgeous and oversized English wing armchair features carved mahogany Ball and claw front legs and upholstered in rich, dark brown soft leather. It has a separate feather filled...
Leather, Hardwood, Mahogany
Mitchell Gold & Bob Williams Black Italian Leather Sofa
By Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams
Located in Milford, NH
A fine black Italian leather sofa from Mitchell Gold & Bob Williams of Taylorsville, NC, founded in 1989, with removable shaped back pads and seat cushions, with clips to hold cushio...
Metal
$2,710
H 37.41 in W 29.73 in D 31.5 in L 37.41 in
Scandinavian Mid-Century Wingback Lounge Chair in Green Velvet, 1950s
Located in Rødding, DK
A Scandinavian mid-century wingback lounge chair, 1940s–1950s, in deep forest green velvet. A generous, fully upholstered form with a high sculpted back, softly curved wings and roun...
Fabric, Oak
$4,200
H 39.38 in W 27.56 in D 32.29 in
Swedish Modern Wingback Chair, reupholstered with leather details, 1940/50s.
Located in Stockholm, SE
A rare Swedish Modern Wingback Chair, 1940/50s. Reupholstered in wool mix fabric with leather details. In beautiful condition, reupholstered by professional. Wood base with nice pat...
Wool, Synthetic, Beech
$1,056Sale Price|20% Off
H 16 in W 64 in D 26.5 in
Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams Carmen Leather Cocktail Ottoman or Museum Bench
By Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams
Located in Miami, FL
Carmen large cocktail ottoman or museum bench with Caspian Leather cushion and bronze finish steel base by Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams. The le...
Steel
Antique Blue Leather Wingback Chair
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Generously proportioned antique wingchair with Mahogany frame and original blue leather upholstery. Serpentine top above a deep back, upholstered scroll arms with nail head detail th...
Metal
Antique Victorian Rococo Revival Carved Walnut & Velvet Wingback Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Original Vintage Condition Materials: Carved Walnut, Velvet Upholstery This Victorian Rococo Revival wingback chair from the 1950s is crafted from richly carved walnut ...
Velvet, Walnut
Large Plush Linen Upholstered Wingback Chair on Casters
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Luxurious comfy large wing chair upholstered in cream linen with single welting, tailored base and walnut feet. The front feet terminate in handsome brass casters on the front. Wide...
Brass
Sold
H 44 in W 32 in D 31 in
Henredon Wingback Lounge Chairs Reupholstered In Dark Camel Alpaca Mohair, Pair
By Henredon
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Henredon Wingback Tufted Back Lounge Chairs Newly Reupholstered in Dark Camel Alpaca Mohair - Pair This pair of vintage Henredon wingback l...
Mohair
Black High Back Leather Wing Chair
Located in Westwood, NJ
Upholstered in rich, full-grain onyx black leather, this chair features a dramatic high-back design that creates an elegant silhouette. The winged sides and gently curved arms are ac...
Leather, Wood
Brown High Back Leather Wing Chair
Located in Westwood, NJ
Upholstered in rich, full-grain Cuba brown leather, this chair features a dramatic high-back design that creates an elegant silhouette. The winged sides and gently curved arms are ac...
Leather, Wood
Blue High Back Leather Wing Chair
Located in Westwood, NJ
Upholstered in rich, full-grain Chateau Blue leather, this chair features a dramatic high-back design that creates an elegant silhouette. The winged sides and gently curved arms are ...
Leather, Wood
Classic Wingback Leather Chair Chateau Blue
Located in Westwood, NJ
With the Chateau Blue traditional top grain Vintage style leather, with high classic wingback backrest and boxed cushion seat raised on tapered legs. Dimensions: 28" W x 36" D x 40"...
Leather
Classic Wingback Black Leather Chair
Located in Westwood, NJ
With traditional top grain black onyx leather, with high classic wingback backrest and boxed cushion seat raised on tapered legs. Dimensions: 28" W x 36" D x 40" H Seat - 20" H Arm ...
Leather
Sold
H 41 in W 28 in D 36 in
Pair of Contemporary Caramel Leather Wingback Armchairs by Williams Sonoma
Located in San Diego, CA
Great pair of caramel color leather wingback chairs by Williams Sonoma, lightly used nice clean condition solid, and sturdy. elegant contemporary and unique style that blends well wi...
Leather
Vintage Distressed Caramel Leather Barrel Back Wing Chair
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Authentically distressed yummy caramel leather barrel back wing chair having tufted seat cushion and aged brass nailhead details. They don't come along like this very often. 27 w at...
Leather
Sold
H 42.5 in W 29.25 in D 27 in
Pair Early French Carved Sculptural Lounge Chairs Neoclassical Hollywood Regency
Located in Wayne, NJ
Gorgeous pair of vintage sculpted line French style armchairs with carved details. The fabric appears to have been re upholstered, at some point, so is in very good condition. A few ...
Wood
Fine Viviana Upholstered Wing Chair and Matching Ottoman
Located in Bridgeport, CT
The chair with an arched crest rail and shaped wings into rolled arms. Dark stained frame with carved square front legs ans square splayed back legs, with an H stretcher. With matchi...
Fabric, Wood
Sold
H 43 in W 36 in D 32 in
Barclay Butera for Baker Furniture Co. Leather & Suede Wingback Chairs, Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of leather and suede wingback chairs designed by Barclay Butera for Baker Furniture Company. They are in very good condition with lite wear. They are marked and date t...
Brass