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 Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Leather, Wood, Giltwood
1920s Danish Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Brass
1990s Spanish Neoclassical Seating
Wood, Leather
Early 19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Seating
Cherry
Early 2000s German Neoclassical Seating
Reed, Hardwood
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Seating
Mahogany
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Aluminum
1920s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Metal, Iron
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Neoclassical Seating
Metal, Steel
Late 20th Century Philippine Neoclassical Seating
Wicker, Rattan, Rush
19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Brass
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Giltwood
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Seating
Mahogany
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Giltwood
Early 20th Century North American Neoclassical Seating
Hardwood
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Wood
Late 20th Century Philippine Neoclassical Seating
Wicker, Rattan, Rush
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Seating
Fruitwood
18th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Walnut, Velvet
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Bronze
Early 1800s Antique Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Giltwood
Late 20th Century North American Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Wood
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Iron
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Seating
Leather
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Silk, Upholstery, Wood
19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Brass
Late 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Seating
Leather, Wood
Mid-20th Century European Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Wood
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Giltwood
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Leather, Wood
19th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical Seating
Other
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Fruitwood
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Neoclassical Seating
Iron
Early 2000s American Neoclassical Seating
Leather, Mahogany
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Fabric, Giltwood, Paint
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Wood, Giltwood
1920s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Velvet, Wood, Giltwood
1890s American Antique Neoclassical Seating
Iron
1940s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Bronze
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Brass
1830s Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Walnut
1890s Danish Antique Neoclassical Seating
Wool, Mahogany, Maple
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Paint
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Maple
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Seating
Gold Leaf
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Seating
Faux Leather, Wood
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Giltwood
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Seating
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Neoclassical Seating
Iron
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Seating
Pine
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Seating
Rosewood
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Seating
Rush, Oak
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Seating
Wood
19th Century Baltic Antique Neoclassical Seating
Brass
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Upholstery, Wood
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Seating
Walnut
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Seating
Wood, Giltwood





