Neoclassical Wood Footstools
Antique 1820s French Neoclassical Stools
Fabric, Beech
Antique 1860s French Neoclassical Footstools
Velvet, Beech
Antique 1780s Italian Neoclassical Stools
Giltwood, Wood, Upholstery
Antique 1890s French Neoclassical Footstools
Fruitwood, Paint
Antique 1820s American Neoclassical Footstools
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique 1860s French Neoclassical Footstools
Fabric, Mahogany, Paint
2010s American American Classical Benches
Mahogany
Early 20th Century North American American Classical Benches
Hardwood
Antique 19th Century European Neoclassical Stools
Wood
Antique 1880s Swedish Neoclassical Footstools
Ash
Vintage 1950s American American Classical Footstools
Leather, Wood
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21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Scandinavian Modern Wall Lights an...
Metal
2010s French Modern Chairs
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary German Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Plywood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
Metal, Brass
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Benches
Bronze, Wrought Iron
2010s American Modern Stools
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary English Folk Art Side Tables
Iron
2010s Austrian Jugendstil Chandeliers and Pendants
Silk
Vintage 1950s Austrian Hollywood Regency Flush Mount
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
Travertine
20th Century Italian Art Deco End Tables
Chrome
Antique 17th Century Italian Baroque Bookcases
Spruce
2010s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Sheepskin, Beech
Mid-20th Century French French Provincial Cabinets
Brass
Vintage 1960s American Hollywood Regency Stools
Upholstery, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century French Empire Benches
Walnut, Upholstery
Recent Sales
Vintage 1980s North American American Classical Footstools
Mahogany
Antique Early 1800s German Neoclassical Stools
Beech
Antique 19th Century American American Classical Footstools
Mahogany
Antique 1830s American American Classical Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Mahogany
Early 20th Century Czech Neoclassical Stools
Leather, Paint, Wood
Antique Early 19th Century Italian Neoclassical Footstools
Wood, Giltwood
Antique 19th Century French Neoclassical Footstools
Textile, Wood
Antique 1860s French Neoclassical Footstools
Fabric, Mahogany
Vintage 1980s North American American Classical Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
Antique 1810s Swedish Neoclassical Footstools
Linen, Upholstery, Birch
1990s American Neoclassical Benches
Cowhide, Wood
Antique Late 18th Century Italian Neoclassical Stools
Giltwood
2010s American American Classical Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
Antique 1830s Italian Neoclassical Benches
Walnut
Antique 19th Century Neoclassical Benches
Wood
Antique 1840s Italian Neoclassical Benches
Walnut
Antique Early 19th Century English Neoclassical Stools
Linen, Mahogany
Vintage 1960s American American Classical Lounge Chairs
Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary European Neoclassical Footstools
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Classical Stools
Fabric, Cherry
Vintage 1980s North American Neoclassical Benches
Upholstery, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Footstools
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Stools
Wood
Antique Early 1800s German Neoclassical Stools
Oak
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Benches
Fabric, Wood
20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Footstools
Mahogany
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Footstools
Wood
Antique 19th Century Neoclassical Footstools
Upholstery, Fruitwood
Antique 1820s American American Classical Footstools
Upholstery, Mahogany, Muslin
Antique 1810s American American Classical Footstools
Brass
Antique Early 19th Century European Neoclassical Benches
Walnut
Antique 1740s Italian Neoclassical Footstools
Brass
Vintage 1960s North American American Classical Footstools
Wood
Antique 19th Century French Neoclassical Footstools
Walnut, Upholstery
Antique 19th Century Italian Neoclassical Stools
Giltwood, Upholstery, Wood
Antique 19th Century Neoclassical Stools
Walnut
Antique 19th Century Italian Neoclassical Footstools
Wood, Fabric
Antique 19th Century American American Classical Footstools
Mahogany, Linen
Antique 19th Century Swedish Neoclassical Stools
Wood
Antique 19th Century American American Classical Stools
Mahogany, Upholstery
Neoclassical Wood Footstools For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Neoclassical Wood Footstools?
A Close Look at Neoclassical Furniture
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.
Finding the Right Footstools for You
Antique and vintage footstools might add a dose of fun to your living room, but they’re also hard workers.
Even as they’ve morphed into objects with plenty of functions over time, the footstool has a royal past. In Ancient Egypt, a footstool was used to climb onto an elevated chair or placed under someone’s feet as he or she was seated in a temple or private residence. Footstools were also in use during the Ottoman Empire. In fact, the ottoman, an upholstered seat or small bench that initially had no back or arms, was the main seating furniture in a home. Ottomans were a way to merge floor seating with cushions and mats.
Poufs, which originated in France, are also thought of as convenient seating furniture as well as occasionally serving as a side table, if needed. (Although, a pouf is typically not as firm as an ottoman.)
Over the years, footstools have taken on varying purposes. They have been used as small portable chairs, for example.
During the 18th century, a footstool might have been long with a low profile, which rendered it perfect for fireside seating. Victorian footstools were small but not unassuming, as furniture makers of the era would upholster the pieces so that they paired with the nearby sofa or wingback chairs. Footstools have even become a storage solution at home, with designers outfitting them with compartments. Today, a footstool might be used to organize quilts and blankets or other textiles, especially if you’re trying to keep things uncluttered in a small apartment.
Footstools are now available in all sorts of provocative colors, upholstery and more. No one is going to put a velvet footstool out on the curb, right? When shopping for your own footstool, try to find one that meets the height of your sofa or other seating (or is a tad lower). It should also be sturdy but not a heavy, clunky piece that’s a chore to move around.
The footstool is both decorative and functional. Not unlike a good throw pillow, interior designers have found numerous uses for this versatile, vibrant furnishing. Find yours in the growing collection of antique and vintage footstools today on 1stDibs.