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 20th Century Neoclassical Ebonized and Partial Gilt Decorated Side Chair
Located in Germantown, MD
A Neoclassical Ebonized and Partial Gilt Decorated Side Chair. A great piece of artwork. Firm springed seat with vinyl cover in great condition. Measures 19" in width, 21" in width...
Plastic, Hardwood, Paint
John Widdicomb Klismos Saber Leg Side Chair Burl Regency Neoclassical 1960s
Located in Forest Grove, PA
An early variant of the JW-1773 Klismos side chair from the 1960s. This chair was purchased with a T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Bullet desk from a retired representative of The Widdicomb F...
Fabric, Burl
Set of 3 Handpainted Hitchcock Style Side Chairs w/ Cane Seats
Located in Pasadena, TX
This is a set of 3 Hitchcock style chairs. They all have very subtle differences. They're hand painted and have cane seats.
Wood
Pair of Neoclassical Chairs, Southern Germany, circa 1815
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Neoclassical chairs crafted from cherrywood, featuring square tapered front legs and slightly splayed saber legs at the back. The seats are newly upholstered in a green strip...
Upholstery, Cherry
Fine Pair of Neoclassical Side Chairs, 1st Half 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
An elegant pair of Italian Neoclassical mahogany chairs adorned with patinated brass mounts from Italy. These chairs feature bold saber shaped legs and vertical lyre shaped back supp...
Brass
Neoclassical Antique Giltwood Upholstered Swan Armchair, Early 20th Century
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A Neoclassical carved swan armchair with upholstered seat back and seat. This antique piece is created from wood and features armrests that are carved to look like swans. The seat ba...
Wood, Paint
Pair Art Nouveau Neoclassical Chairs , Hand-Carved Walnut, Spring Leather Seat
Located in Vigonza, Padua
1990s, elegant chairs restored and polished to wax, finely hand-carved walnut, seat in original leather in good condition with straps and springs. Suitable for writing table or for e...
Leather, Walnut
Continental Neoclassic Beech Side Chairs with White Damask Upholstery
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Continental Neoclassic style stripped beech side chairs with in-curved crest rail above X form back & white damask silk upholstered seat. (possibly Italian, 20th Cent) V...
Beech
$550Sale Price / set|42% Off
Pair of American White Paint-Decorated Rush Seat Chairs
Located in Astoria, NY
Pair of American White Paint-Decorated Rush Seat Chairs. 37" H x 23" W x 21" D; seat: 19" H. Provenance: From a New York City Collection.
Rush, Wood, Paint
Set of Four Italian 1820s Neoclassical Dining Room Chairs with Carved Splats
Located in Atlanta, GA
A set of four Italian neoclassical walnut dining room side chairs from the early 19th century, with carved splat, fluted legs and new upholstery. Born in Italy during the first quart...
Upholstery, Walnut
$1,520Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of 19th Century Side Chairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of 19th century French oval back side chairs.
Wood
Pair of Neoclassical Style Carved Fruitwood and Upholstered Side Chairs
Located in Germantown, MD
A Pair of Neoclassical Style Carved Fruitwood and Upholstered Side Chairs Measures 19" in width, 19" in depth and 34.5" in height. Seat height is 18"
Upholstery, Fruitwood
Rare Neoclassical Style Side Chair with Caduceus Crest
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Very rare caduceus carved back to a traditional neoclassical style side chair. The richly historical and ancient Caduceus symbol features ...
Wood
$3,120Sale Price / set|20% Off
Lovely Pair of Painted 18th century Neoclassical Side Chairs
Located in Hopewell, NJ
1790 French Neoclassical beautiful original grey painted side chairs with traces of old gilding, carved with acanthus leaves, wheat and urns. Reeded legs.
Wood
Pair of Neoclassical Side Chairs, Wrapped Metal, Rams Heads, European, Gustavian
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of Gustavian or Neoclassical side chairs can be used in any room. Each having fully metal wrapped frames with Finely carved rams heads on the back rests. The finely wrapped metal frames with rose, vine and leaf design tacked securely upon the frames. Enormous time and detail went into the construction of this fine pair of chairs...
Metal
Neoclassical Statement Arm Chair
Located in Medina, OH
This ornate armchair is a fusion of classic design and modern flair with this gorgeous abstract cut velvet! The cream colored background fabric, adorned with a striking black, abstr...
Fabric, Maple
19th Century Chinoiserie Queen Anne Style Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Nicely detailed Queen Anne chair. Seat was originally can but now hard upholstered in new mohair. Strong and sturdy.
Mohair, Wood, Paint
$4,950 / set
18th Century Dutch Inlaid Walnut Side Chairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
18th Century Dutch inlaid side chairs. Strong and sturdy, but delicate with different exotic inlaid woods. Ball and claw foot motif. Back...
Wood
Wonderful Set of Five French Gold Gilt Carved Harp Lyre Back Regency Side Chairs
Located in Roslyn, NY
Wonderful set of FIVE (5) French gold gilt carved harp lyre back regency neoclassical dining or living room ladies side chairs Sold per chair Measu...
Giltwood
Italian Neo-Classic Giltwood Side Chair with Floral Stripe Upholstery
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Neo-Classic (18th Century) giltwood side chair featuring a shaped oval back upper section having a carved foliate crest and upholstered in a floral stripe pink and beige patt...
Fabric, Wood, Giltwood, Upholstery
$42,000 / set
Set of 8 Russian Neo-Classic Mahogany Green Chairs
Located in Queens, NY
Set of 8 Russian Neo-classic mahogany & brass mounted side chairs with green leather upholstered seats & backs and brass filigree panel and fruitwood inlaid trim (early 19th Cent)
Brass
Italian Neoclassic Shield Back Dining/Side Chair W/ Floral Beige Upholstery
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Neo-Classic side chair with an openwork shield form back, carved decorative splat, padded seat upholstered in floral patterned beige fabric with embroidered trim...
Fabric, Wood, Upholstery
Victorian Side Chairs with Lion Head Finials, 19th Century
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of English Victorian (Aesthetic Movement) painted side chairs with lion head finials on back with and upholstered seat and back and front stretcher
Upholstery, Wood
$2,880Sale Price / set|20% Off
Four Edward Wormley Precedent by Drexel Dining Chairs 239-4 8 Available
Located in Pasadena, TX
Edward Wormley designed for Precedent Side Chairs series 239-4 in 1947, neoclassical area. Set of 4 dining chairs, solid wood construction, natural finish. 8 available
Wood
Pair of French Neoclassical Side Chairs in Walnut two-tone Wax Polished
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Late 19th century pair of French Neoclassical side chairs in walnut two-tone ( ebonizedthe front and dark walnut the back ) with seat i...
Silk, Walnut
Italian Neo-Classic Side Chair, Cream with Gilt Trim, 20th Century
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Neo-Classic style (20th Century) cream painted and gilt trim side chair with fluted legs and open geomegtric diamond \"X\" design back with a stretcher and 0ff-white upholste...
Paint
Set of 4 Klismos-Style Chairs
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Two chairs and two armchairs. Original cognac-coloured leather seats with fine gold embossed frieze. Dimensions provided below are for the armchairs. The chairs measure (in centim...
Leather, Wood
Pair of Patinated Wood and Gold Leaf Armchairs by Maison Forest, France
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Pair of patinated wood and gold leaf armchairs by Maison Forest, France, late 19th century.
Gold Leaf
Italian Neoclassical pair of painted side chairs great Form and Patina
Located in Buchanan, MI
A pair of Italian neoclassical painted side chairs 19th century. Amazing form and carving, lovely old patina. Priced per chair. Measures: Height 34 1/2 inches. Would look great in of...
Giltwood