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.
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Seating
Mahogany, Burl
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Seating
Polyester
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Wood
Late 18th Century American Antique Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Mahogany
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Iron
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Seating
Rush, Wood, Paint
1970s Swedish Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Velvet, Beech, Pine
Early 1900s Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Brass, Wrought Iron
20th Century Neoclassical Seating
Brass
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Foam, Mahogany
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Velvet, Wood, Lacquer
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Wood
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Seating
Wood
1940s Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Brass, Steel
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Rush, Wood, Paint
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Iron
1810s Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Mahogany
1830s American Antique Neoclassical Seating
Leather, Upholstery, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Mahogany, Upholstery
20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Giltwood, Lacquer, Hardwood
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Cane, Walnut
1840s Antique Neoclassical Seating
Wool, Beech
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Aluminum
1820s Swedish Antique Neoclassical Seating
Wood
1860s Danish Antique Neoclassical Seating
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary European Neoclassical Seating
Iron
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Linen, Upholstery, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Seating
Leather, Wood
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Wood
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Maple, Oak, Walnut
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Steel, Iron
Late 20th Century Philippine Neoclassical Seating
Wicker, Rattan, Rush
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Seating
Wood
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Velvet, Wood
Late 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Seating
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Neoclassical Seating
Metal
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Seating
Bronze, Wrought Iron
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Hardwood
1860s Danish Antique Neoclassical Seating
Wool, Beech
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Seating
Silk, Mahogany
1930s French Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Wood, Velvet
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Ceramic, Fabric, Cotton
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Seating
Maple
20th Century Neoclassical Seating
Leather, Wood
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Metal
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Seating
Brass
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Wood, Giltwood
1990s American Neoclassical Seating
Cotton, Wood, Down
Mid-19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Mahogany
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Hardwood, Paint
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Wood, Fabric
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Iron
1830s American Antique Neoclassical Seating
Brass, Ormolu
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Leather, Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Seating
Brass