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.
Custom Made to Order Napoli Chaise Lounge in Velvet Linen or COM
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
Napoli Chaise Lounge 27" W x 34" H x 60" D / can be customized to any length The Napoli Chaise Lounge is a timeless nod to vintage European design, effortlessly blending elegance wit...
Cotton, Velvet, Foam, Wood
19th Century Continental Neoclassic Chaise Lounge in Mahogany & Silk
Located in Queens, NY
Continental Neoclassic-style (Possibly Austrian, late 19th Century) parcel gilt mahogany daybed/chaise lounge with scrolled back above a stripped yellow silk...
Gold Leaf
Vintage Ralph Lauren Leather Club Chair, Hand-Painted Arrowhead & Fringe, 1980's
By Ralph Lauren
Located in Plainview, NY
Vintage Ralph Lauren Leather Club Chair, Hand-Painted Arrowhead & Fringe, 1980's This exceptional vintage club chair by Ralph Lauren ...
Leather
Monumental Neoclassical Style Hendrix Allardyce Chaise Longue
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Grand neoclassical style painted chaise longue hand-crafted on a monumental scale by California artisans at Hendrix Allardyce. Bespoke chaise from the Leonard estate in Pacific Palis...
Brass
French 19th Century Neoclassical Mahogany Upholstered Récamier Lounge Chair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An extremely elegant French 19th-century Neo-Classical mahogany upholstered Récamier. The lounge chair is raised by lovely lightly scrolled fluted legs. The straight apron displays a...
Mahogany
Vintage French Neoclassical Style Swan & Rams Recamier Daybed Chaise Lounge Sofa
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Neoclassical Style Swan & Rams Head Recamier Daybed Chaise Lounge Sofa. Item features a large impressive form, gold gilt painted carved wood accents, beige fabric, gre...
Fabric, Mahogany
Gorgeous Swaim Neoclassical Chaise Lounge
By Swaim
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Neoclassical Chaise Lounge from Swaim Furniture. The original upholstery shows some wear and will need to be reupholstered to be its best. ...
Upholstery, Oak
Early 20th Century American Bamboo Cane Chaise Lounge, Original Parts
Located in Wainscott, NY
Early 20th Century American Bamboo Cane Chaise Lounge, Original parts Very special and unique cane and bamboo chaise lounge. All original materials.
Bamboo, Cane
20th Century Classizim Style Empire Swan Chaise Longue
Located in Berlin, DE
Maple roots on solid beechwood, partially ebonized and gilded. (J-Sam-7).
Wood, Beech, Maple
$10,400 / item
Louise Chaise, Smooth Copper Metal Clad
By Paul Mathieu (French), Stephanie Odegard Collection
Located in New York, NY
A Smooth Copper metal-clad chaise is clad in hand-applied Smooth Copper over a carved wood frame in the Louise style. The piece applies Smooth Copper metal cladding to a chaise longu...
Silver, Sheet Metal
$10,400 / item
Louise Chaise, Smooth Brass Metal Clad
By Stephanie Odegard Collection, Paul Mathieu (French)
Located in New York, NY
A Smooth Brass metal-clad chaise is clad in hand-applied Smooth Brass over a carved wood frame in the Louise style. The piece applies Smooth Brass metal cladding to a chaise longue f...
Silver, Sheet Metal
$10,400 / item
Louise Chaise, Smooth Antiqued White Bronze Metal Clad
By Paul Mathieu (French), Stephanie Odegard Collection
Located in New York, NY
A Smooth Antiqued White Bronze metal-clad chaise is clad in hand-applied Smooth Antiqued White Bronze over a carved wood frame in the Louise style. The piece applies Smooth Antiqued ...
Silver, Sheet Metal
$10,400 / item
Louise Chaise, Smooth White Bronze Metal Clad
By Paul Mathieu (French), Stephanie Odegard Collection
Located in New York, NY
A Smooth White Bronze metal-clad chaise is clad in hand-applied Smooth White Bronze over a carved wood frame in the Louise style. The piece applies Smooth White Bronze metal cladding...
Silver, Sheet Metal
Italian Chaise Longue silk
Located in Long Island, NY
Italian Chaise Longue .Elegant and Timeless. Beautiful Reds and Gold Colors in Silk .
Silk
$81,900
H 33.08 in W 30.12 in D 39.38 in
Mid-Century Modern Chaise Lounge by Carlo Hauner & Martin Eisler, 1954
By Carlo Hauner, Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Martin Eisler
Located in New York, NY
This chaise lounge is one of the designs by Martin Eisler and Carlo Hauner, produced by Forma S.A. Móveis e Objetos de Arte. The traditional chaise is a lounge chair characterized by...
Iron
$7,800
H 37 in W 87 in D 28.75 in
Large Italian Neoclassical Giltwood Récamier Settee in Scalamandré Tiger Velvet
Located in Nashville, TN
And of unusual ( rare ) large dimensions. Matching bolsters for each end. Well worn gilt and paint finish and losses to frame. Well worn paint and gilded finish. Oxidation to the gi...
Giltwood
Chaise longue
Located in Porto, PT
Chaise longue. Made of mahogany wood; upholstered in beige velvet. Rests on four turned legs. Dimensions: 80x165x63 cm.
Wood
French Provincial Chaise Lounge Settee, Fabric, Louis XV Style, France
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This elegant French provincial chaise lounge settee, crafted in the Louis XV style, features graceful curves, carved details, and a ref...
Fabric
$3,250
H 37 in W 41 in D 41 in
Vintage Ralph Lauren Writer’s Tufted Leather Club Chair and Coordinating Ottoman
By Ralph Lauren
Located in Lancaster, PA
This is a writer's club chair and ottoman, designed by Ralph Lauren and manufactured by Henredon. The set is upholstered in tufted leather in a bone color, and it has brass tack em...
Brass
French Antique Swan Neck Recamier Chaise Lounge
Located in Hopewell, NJ
A fine antique French walnut recamier or chaise lounge with carved swan heads at posts, lovely neutral vintage upholstery and bolster pillow, circa 1930. The chaise rests on four ca...
Upholstery, Walnut
$2,660Sale Price|30% Off
H 31.25 in W 67 in D 25.75 in
Mid-Century Baker Furniture Louis XVI Style Upholstered Recamier Chaise Lounge
Located in Dayton, OH
This refined 1960s Neoclassical-style Chaise lounge or Récamier or méridienne style daybed manufactured by Baker Furniture, represents a sophisticated mid-century interpretation of c...
Fabric, Hardwood
Outstanding Regency Chaise Lounge Sofa
Located in Swadlincote, GB
Superb ebonised and applied brass chaise lounge sofa, settee from the Regency period, in very good overall condition having dark gold and pink damask upholstery. 33" high 26" depth ...
Ebony
$2,895
H 32 in W 59 in D 24 in
Restoration Hardware Custom Order Oviedo Chaise Lounge in Brown Leather & Chrome
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a rare, custom order, 'Oviedo' model chaise longe by Restoration Hardware. However, instead of connected cushions and a relatively flat surface, this customer opted for a ser...
Chrome
Vintage Ralph Lauren Organic Modern Woven Seagrass Club Chair
By Ralph Lauren
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This vintage organic modern club chair by Ralph Lauren showcases the brand’s signature ability to elevate natural materials through refined design. Fully wrapped in tightly woven sea...
Wood, Seagrass
Vintage Custom Vienna Chaise Attributed To Morello Gianpaolo
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An all custom Chaise or Recamier from Italian manufacturer Morello Gianpaolo who are celebrated for the meticulous hand-crafting and exceptional workmanship of their company. On four...
Fabric, Wood
Vintage Ralph Lauren Writer's Chair and Ottoman, 2000s
By Ralph Lauren
Located in Philadelphia, PA
We are very pleased to present this iconic leather chair and ottoman. Emblematic of Ralph Lauren’s iconic and enduring style, this winged Writer's club chair is masterfully construc...
Leather
Ralph Lauren Italian Aran Isles Leather Mahogany Club Chair
By Ralph Lauren
Located in Rio Vista, CA
A handsome Italian "Aran Isles” club or lounge chair upholstered in supple aniline leather and corduroy cushions designed in the traditional English Equestrian Country style by Ralph...
Brass
Pair of Ralph Lauren Style Leather Club Chairs
By Ralph Lauren
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Sensational butterscotch leather club armchairs. In the style of Ralph Lauren or Jean Michel Frank. Excellent proportions. Chairs are extremely comfortable. Very heavy chairs. Us...
Leather
Neo-classical style chaise longue, France ca. 1990
Located in Meulebeke, BE
Exuding timeless refinement and grand European charm, this elegant French neoclassical style chaise longue—or méridienne—is a masterful tribute to antique luxury. Crafted around 1990...
Fabric, Wood
Antique mahogany chaise lounge, 19th century
Located in Houston, TX
This antique chaise lounge is an elegant and sculptural piece to the 19th century. The gracefully scrolled ends are beautifully proportioned and supported by finely shaped, outward ...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Stickley Brothers Neoclassical Chaise Lounge, Mahogany Upholstery, USA
Located in Southampton, NJ
Elegant chaise lounge or Recamier sofa by Stickley Furniture in left or right wing options. Generous, lithe proportions, Neoclassical in style with bolster cushion. Seat: 16.5" H.
Upholstery, Mahogany
Stickley Brothers Neoclassical Chaise Lounge, Mahogany Upholstery, USA
Located in Southampton, NJ
Elegant chaise lounge or Recamier sofa by Stickley Furniture in left or right wing options. Generous, lithe proportions, Neoclassical in style with bolster cushion. Seat: 16.5" H.
Upholstery, Mahogany
Gilded Age Highly Carved Chaise Lounge
Located in Hudson, NY
A fantastic and whimsical chaise lounge. Hand carved with a beautifully patinaed green paint and gilded accents. This truly is large enough for a person to sleep on should one need a...
Gold Leaf
Sold
H 37 in W 80 in D 27 in
Vintage French Empire Neoclassical Style Recamier Daybed Chaise Lounge Sofa
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Neoclassical Style Recamier Daybed Chaise Lounge Sofa. Item features a large impressive form, gold painted carved wood accents, g...
Fabric, Mahogany
Neoclassical Style carved mahogany recamier / chaise by Baker
Located in Buffalo, NY
Stunning Neoclassical Style carved mahogany recamier / chaise lounge manufactured by Baker,, Frame in excellent original condition.. original fabric upholstery has minor marks,,hav...
Brass
Chaise Lounge From Swaim
By Swaim
Located in North Canton, OH
Neoclassical Chaise Lounge from Swaim Furniture. Beautiful piece. Original Upholstery Fabric is pristine. As new. Circa 2006 Condition Dis...
Upholstery
French 19th Century Neoclassical Recamier or Chaise Lounge
Located in Hopewell, NJ
An extremely elegant French 19th-century Neoclassical mahogany upholstered rcamier. The chaise lounge has a stunning carved lion head armrest, and lovely neoclassical green silk wrea...
Silk, Mahogany
Modern Acorn Motif Chaise Longue
Located in Astoria, NY
Modern chaise longue with acorn and oak motif slip covers. Dimensions: 36" H x 68" W x 31" D. Dealer: S138XX
Fabric, Oak
Upholstered Chaise Lounge
Located in Astoria, NY
Upholstered chaise lounge, covered in garnet red chenille, the scoop back and scrolling arms with long skirted seat. In good condition. Wear consist...
Chenille, Wood
Red Chenille Upholstered Chaise Lounge
Located in Astoria, NY
Red chenille upholstered chaise lounge, unmarked. In good condition. Wear consistent with age and use. Dimensions: 29" H x 74" W x 40" D; ...
Chenille
Neoclassical Style Chais Lounge
Located in Hudson, NY
Diminutive reconnaier and the neoclassical style period produced in the 19th century this carved gilded and painted beauty has the most lovely proportions. The surface is carved an...
Gold Leaf
Coral Linen Chaise Lounge with Cerused Oak Feet
Located in Locust Valley, NY
A "Bridgewater" style upholstered chaise lounge in a gorgeous coral linen with cerused oak feet and an upholstered removable back cushion in the same coral linen fabric. Super chic a...
Linen, Oak
French Neoclassical Style Mahogany Recamiere Meridienne
Located in Southampton, NJ
An elegant Mahogany scroll arm Recamiere, Meridian or window bench much like Maitland Smith or Baker pieces. Features Include new custom Moire upholstery, two bolster cushions with b...
Brass