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.
20th Century Neoclassical Seating
Giltwood, Wood
Early 2000s American Neoclassical Seating
Teak
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Seating
Metal
1940s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Leather, Wood
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Velvet, Wood, Giltwood
21st Century and Contemporary Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Wood, Giltwood
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Leather, Fabric, Wood
1820s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Walnut, Silk
Early 20th Century German Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Wood, Mohair
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Seating
Fabric
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Linen, Wood, Paint
2010s American Neoclassical Seating
Leather, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Seating
Leather, Wood
18th Century British Antique Neoclassical Seating
Feathers
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Seating
Leather, Wood
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Seating
Iron
19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Mahogany, Velvet
Early 2000s American Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Wood
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Cherry
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Velvet, Fruitwood
2010s American Neoclassical Seating
Mahogany
1990s Italian Neoclassical Seating
Leather, Cherry
1820s European Antique Neoclassical Seating
Walnut
20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Giltwood
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Cane, Walnut
Early 2000s American Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Oak
Late 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Mahogany
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Textile, Walnut, Upholstery
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Seating
Brass
2010s American Neoclassical Seating
Brass
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Wood
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Seating
Iron
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Wood
2010s Italian Neoclassical Seating
Wood
Early 1900s Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Leather, Wood, Giltwood
1980s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Brass
2010s American Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Wood
2010s American Neoclassical Seating
Velvet, Maple
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Seating
Brass
2010s Spanish Neoclassical Seating
Wrought Iron
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Seating
Brass
20th Century Neoclassical Seating
Brass
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Seating
Brass, Iron
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Seating
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Seating
Aluminum
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Brass
1840s Danish Antique Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Beech
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Velvet, Giltwood
20th Century French Neoclassical Seating
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Seating
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Hardwood, Maple
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Giltwood
Early 19th Century Baltic Antique Neoclassical Seating
Silk, Yew
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Mahogany
2010s American Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Maple
2010s American Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Velvet, Walnut, Down





