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.
$2,800Sale Price / set|20% Off
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
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
Pair of Leather Wingback Chairs by Bernhardt with Rounded Backs & Nailhead Trim
By Bernhardt
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous pair of Leather Wingback Chairs by Bernhardt with Rounded Backs and Nailhead Trim. Incredibly soft white leather and are very very comfortable with little back pillows for a...
Metal
$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
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
$1,560Sale 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
$3,422 / 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
$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
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
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
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
$4,162Sale Price|40% Off
Classical Poltrona Frau Leather Wingback Chair with Matching Ottoman
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This wonderfully crafted wingback chair by Poltrona Frau is a true design classic. The design language as well as the leatherworking show the excellent Italian manufacture in which t...
Leather
$3,640Sale Price|30% 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
Erwin-Lambeth Plum Velvet Neo-Chippendale Wing Chair
Located in Chicago, IL
Plum velvet upholstered neo-Chippendale wing chair from Erwin-Lambeth. White satin lacquered frame with open arms. Carved front legs with quatrefoil and el...
$4,996 / set
H 38.78 in W 34.26 in D 29.93 in
Pair of Vintage Clubhouse Wingback Chairs, English, Leather, Armchair, C.1950
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a pair of vintage clubhouse wingback chairs. an English, leather button back armchair, dating to the mid 20th century, circa 1950. Charming club lounge chairs for keeping th...
Leather
Pair of Antique Carved Mahogany Upholstered Fireside Arm Chairs
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Black Lacquer Marble Top Goatskin Drawers & Double Doors Liquor Silver Cabinet
Mahogany
Early 19th Century George III Wing Chair
Located in Dublin 8, IE
Early 19th century George III mahogany upholstered wing chair, the shaped back with outscrolled wings raised above padded arms with reeded terminals with flower head motif raised ove...
Mahogany
$950 / set
H 42 in W 27 in D 29 in
Vintage French Hollywood Regency Carved Mahogany Parlor Lounge Chairs - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Vintage French Hollywood Regency Carved Mahogany Parlor Lounge Chairs - a Pair. Item ...
Fabric, Mahogany
$44,995 / set
H 39.5 in W 29 in D 33 in
Pair Janus Wing Chairs and Ottomans by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare set of "Janus" wing chairs and ottomans designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. One of his most iconic designs! In the Janus Collection Wormley modernized the lines of eighteen...
Velvet, Wood
Mid-20th Century Chippendale Wingback Chairs in Walnut & Damask
By Kindel Furniture, Baker Furniture Company, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Southampton, NJ
Unique Chippendale style pair of chairs with lovely small scale silhouettes, curved stretchers in golden butter Damask upholstery. We love the Georgian design elements in the curved ...
Damask, Walnut
$2,360Sale Price|37% Off
H 39.5 in W 29.5 in D 24 in
18th century English Georgian Petite Wingback Chair
Located in Savannah, GA
Unusual petite size Georgian ladies wingback chair. Out-scrolled arms supported by walnut cabriole legs. Newly upholstered in silk damask. See measurements below.
Silk, Walnut
Danish Modern 1950s Highback Lounge Wing Chair With Wooden Armrests
By Fritz Hansen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Beautiful and very unique Danish 1940s wingback chair with nicely carved armrest in stained beechwood. Very elegant with strong angular lines and a strong presence to anchor any roo...
Wool, Beech
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
$1,760Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 49.75 in W 26.25 in D 26.5 in
Pair Of Antique French Carved Mahogany & Cane Tall Wing Back Chairs c1930
Located in Big Flats, NY
Pair Antique French Mahogany & Cane Tall Wing Back Chairs With Carved Elements & Leather Cushions C1930 Measures - 49 3/4" x 26 1/8" x 26 1/2"
Mahogany
$5,400 / set
H 38 in W 27 in D 36 in
Pair of Italian Mid-Century Modern Wing Back Lounge Chairs by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in New York, NY
Elegant Pair of Italian Mid-Century Modern Wingback / Hi Back Lounge Chairs / armchairs by Paolo Buffa. These chairs are large, deep and comfortable; They have sensuous lines and a ...
Upholstery, Hardwood
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
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
Vintage Michael Weiss for Vanguard Wingback Chairs - a Pair
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Awesome pair of wingback chairs by Michael Weiss for Vanguard. Substantial in size and great whimsical embroidered botanical and bird themed upholstery. ...
Upholstery