Neoclassical Side Chairs
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 Side Chairs
Wood
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Side Chairs
Velvet, Wood, Lacquer
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Side Chairs
Upholstery, Wood, Linen, Fabric
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Birch
18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Wood
Early 20th Century North American Neoclassical Side Chairs
Rush
1960s Swedish Vintage Neoclassical Side Chairs
Wood, Paint
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Side Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
1970s North American Vintage Neoclassical Side Chairs
Wood
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Side Chairs
Fabric, Walnut
2010s Italian Neoclassical Side Chairs
Silver Leaf, Gold Leaf
Mid-19th Century Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Upholstery, Chestnut, Mahogany
Early 1900s American Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Wood
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Upholstery, Mahogany
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Upholstery, Mahogany, Oak
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Side Chairs
Brass
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Wood, Paint
1790s Italian Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Wood
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Iron
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Side Chairs
Wood, Paint
20th Century Swedish Neoclassical Side Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Bronze, Metal
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Mohair, Wood, Paint
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Fabric, Wood, Upholstery
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Fabric, Wood, Giltwood, Upholstery
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Upholstery, Cherry
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Wood, Fabric, Upholstery, Giltwood
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Wood, Giltwood, Fabric, Upholstery
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Upholstery, Mahogany
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Rush, Maple
1940s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Side Chairs
Wicker, Wood
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Side Chairs
Marble
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Wood
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Side Chairs
Giltwood
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Side Chairs
Faux Leather, Wood
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Side Chairs
Brass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Side Chairs
Cherry
20th Century European Neoclassical Side Chairs
Wood
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Silver Leaf
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
18th Century Danish Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Wood
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Side Chairs
Wood, Linen, Upholstery
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Velvet, Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century European Neoclassical Side Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Early 20th Century European Neoclassical Side Chairs
Cane, Walnut
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Side Chairs
Maple
20th Century Neoclassical Side Chairs
Wood, Giltwood
Late 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Metal
1820s Italian Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Wood
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Rosewood
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Brass
Late 20th Century Canadian Neoclassical Side Chairs
Upholstery, Satinwood
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Side Chairs
Steel
20th Century American Neoclassical Side Chairs
Fabric, Foam, Wood, Down, Feathers
20th Century Neoclassical Side Chairs
Wood
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Side Chairs
Bubinga
Mid-18th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Side Chairs
Jacquard, Beech, Walnut