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.
Early 19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Giltwood
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Seating
Nickel
20th Century French Neoclassical Seating
Brass, Iron
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Velvet, Wood, Lacquer
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Wood, Linen, Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Seating
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary North American Neoclassical Seating
Mahogany
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Beech
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Seating
Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Seating
Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron
2010s Romanian Neoclassical Seating
Velvet, Wood, Beech, Feathers
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Seating
Oak
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Maple, Oak, Walnut
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Seating
Iron
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary European Neoclassical Seating
Iron
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
1820s Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Walnut
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Seating
Iron
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Seating
Wood
Late 20th Century North American Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Wood
Late 20th Century North American Neoclassical Seating
Maple, Paint
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Bronze
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Wood
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Wood
Early 1900s Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Gold Leaf
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Satinwood
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Neoclassical Seating
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Neoclassical Seating
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Neoclassical Seating
Walnut
1750s French Antique Neoclassical Seating
Velvet, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Wood, Maple
Early 2000s European Neoclassical Seating
Giltwood, Velvet
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Brass
20th Century Swedish Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Wood
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Metal, Wrought Iron
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Seating
Rush, Walnut
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Upholstery, Pine
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Brass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Steel
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Silk, Upholstery, Mahogany
1990s American Neoclassical Seating
Iron
20th Century Neoclassical Seating
Wood, Giltwood
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Bamboo
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Seating
Birch
1920s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Gold Leaf
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Seating
Kingwood, Satinwood, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Seating
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Seating
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Seating
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Seating
Wood
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Metal, Iron
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Metal, Wrought Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Seating
Wood
1880s French Antique Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Wood
1810s Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Walnut
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Metal, Wrought Iron
Late 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Wood, Paint