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.
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Wood, Walnut
1840s Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Other
2010s Portuguese Neoclassical Seating
Leather, Wood
Early 1900s Swedish Antique Neoclassical Seating
Ormolu
21st Century and Contemporary Neoclassical Seating
Iron
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Seating
Wood
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Wood
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Wood
1810s French Antique Neoclassical Seating
Mahogany
18th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Mahogany, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Chenille, Velvet, Wood
18th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical Seating
Other
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Seating
Cane, Wood
Late 18th Century German Antique Neoclassical Seating
Wood
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Silk, Wood, Giltwood
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Seating
Mohair, Wood, Paint
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Walnut
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Seating
Wood
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Seating
Silk, Wood, Lacquer
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Wood, Giltwood, Upholstery
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Wood, Giltwood, Fabric, Upholstery
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Metal, Brass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Velvet, Oak
Late 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Seating
Berlin Iron
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Wood
1950s European Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Cherry
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Wood
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Giltwood
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Straw, Cherry
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Seating
Leather
1970s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Wood
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Wood, Paint, Upholstery
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Seating
Gold Leaf
1850s German Antique Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Wood
1980s French Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Wood
1820s German Antique Neoclassical Seating
Elm
Early 1900s Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
1810s German Antique Neoclassical Seating
Cherry
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Mahogany
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Cane, Walnut
1970s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Wood
Early 19th Century Baltic Antique Neoclassical Seating
Brass
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Wood
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Wood, Maple
Mid-20th Century Danish Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Wood
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Wood, Giltwood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Seating
Leather, Wood
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Giltwood, Paint
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Fruitwood
1940s Czech Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Walnut
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Wood, Giltwood
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Wood, Giltwood
1790s Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Wool, Wood
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Wood
Late 18th Century Danish Antique Neoclassical Seating
Wood
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Mahogany, Sycamore
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Wood





