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.
Pr. Continental Neoclassic Walnut Veneered & Upholstered Round Footstools, 19thc
Located in Atlanta, GA
the footstools of circular form with velvet upholstered tops, the cases covered in walnut veneer with a bottom band of patterned veneer, raised on shaped (later) bakelite feet
Walnut
Italian Neoclassical X-Form Stool
Located in Sheffield, MA
An elegant Italian neoclassical X-form stool painted Ivory and decorated with giltwood floral and vegetal ornaments. The stool has upholstered seat covered in paisley design fabric. ...
Wood
Upholstered Bench with Brown Horsehair Seat with Mahogany Frame and Tapered Legs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Denton bench made by LF Upholstery is shown with brown and taupe patterned horsehair with soft foam padding. It has a hand carved mahogany wood and finished frame with tapered legs - it is shown without trim but can be made custom with choice of pewter or French Natural nailheads or gimp trim...
Mahogany
French Neoclassical 19th Century Carved Giltwood Footstool with Linen Upholstery
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Neoclassical carved giltwood footstool from the 19th century with custom linen upholstery. This exquisite 19th-century French giltwood footstool...
Upholstery, Giltwood, Linen
Pair of Italian Painted & Gilt Wood Foliate Upholstered Curule Stools, C. 1780
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of Italian painted and gilt wood foliate upholstered Curule stools with flanking central foliage medallions, and resting on scrolled feet with the original connecting cross stre...
Upholstery, Wood, Giltwood
$900 / set
Pair Antique Footstools or Benches
Located in New York, NY
Pair antique footstools or benches on casters with floral upholstery. Good condition overall with slight finish loss due to age and use. Can be...
Hardwood
Denim Leather Ottoman Footstool with Cabriole Legs
Located in New York, NY
Tufted leather ottoman with brass tack trim and carved cabriole, ball and claw foot legs. Manufactured by the "Classic Leather" furniture company. Clean, original, ready to use condi...
Leather, Wood
English Beaded On Velvet Round Footstools
Located in Tampa, FL
A rare and beautiful pair of English beaded velvet stools, dating to circa 1840s. Each stool features a richly beaded velvet upholstered top measuring approximately 10 1/2 inches in ...
Velvet, Mahogany, Beads
Pair of Swedish Neoclassic Painted Footstools
Located in Essex, MA
Each with carved seat rail with set in seat raised on carved legs headed by paterae and tapered with reeded tassel and fluting joined by a turned X-form stretcher.
Other
$971Sale Price|20% Off
H 15.95 in W 27.37 in D 15.95 in
19th Century French Mahogany Footstool, circa 1850
Located in Faversham, GB
A large and simply stunning 19th Century French footstool. Made in mahogany with delicate Ormolu mounts to legs ending in square tapering supports. The gently bowed sides are topped ...
Mahogany
19th Century French Louis XVI Walnut Six Leg Oval Footstool
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Charming 19th century French walnut footstool featuring an elongated oval form supported by six fluted legs. Made in the grand Louis XVI taste with neoclassical carved rosettes on th...
Brass
Hexagonal Tripod Stool
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stubby wooden hexagonal stool, made in France, circa 1950s. Thick seat with three rounded legs. No nails or hardware. Great lines and shape. Petite stoo...
Wood
Antique Hand Carved Needlepoint Textile Upholstered Foot Stool
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Petite Elegant foot stool made hand carved woof wood, upholstered with beautiful floral motif needlepoint textile. Great decorative object of art for any room.
Wool, Wood
Set of Three Italian Brass Chiavari Round Stools
By Fratelli Levaggi/Guiseppe Gaetano Descalzi
Located in Hanover, MA
Extremely rare set of three round brass Chiavari stools, made in Italy, circa 1960. Four legs with flared tapered legs around an upper and lower brass ring. Fitted round seat upholst...
Brass
$4,102
H 15.75 in W 31.5 in D 14.18 in
Josef Frank Bench in Mahogany and Brass Nails, Svenskt Tenn, Sweden
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Josef Frank & SCANDINAVIAN MODERN A beautiful bench by Josef Frank, for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1960s. The frame is made of mahogany, upholstered seat with brass nails. The feet are elegantly sculpted and the bench can also be used as a table, end of bed stool...
Fabric, Mahogany
19th Century Biedermeier Footstool
Located in Darmstadt, DE
We present an authentic small Biedermeier footstool from around 1830. The piece features a solid walnut top resting on oak legs, displaying the w...
Oak, Walnut
$600
H 16.93 in Dm 16.54 in
Mid-Century Modern Italian Wood Stool by A.Simoni & G. Del Piero for Olive S.R.L
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Italian Mid-Century Modern stool in Walnut by Simon & Del Piero for Olivo S.R.L.
Walnut
$2,156Sale Price|20% Off
H 18.51 in W 29.53 in D 18.9 in
Italian Design Rectangular Black Leather and Chrome-Plated Brass Bench
Located in Brescia, IT
This contemporary style bench in cow black leather, is totally hand made in Italy. The feet are in chrome plated brass. The dimensions make it useful as coffee table.
Brass
$2,250
H 17.5 in W 30 in D 18.5 in
Louis XV–Style Walnut Bench with Upholstered Seat and Carved Frame, France
Located in Atlanta, GA
An elegant Louis XV–style bench crafted in walnut, distinguished by its finely carved seat rail and graceful proportions. The sculpted apron features flowing rocaille motifs centered...
Walnut
Vintage Mackenzie Childs Tufted Upholstered Footstool
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Stylish and classic best describe this vintage upholstered footstool from Mackenzie Childs. The eye catching hand-painted majolica with ceramic feet certainly make a statement! Ador...
Ceramic, Fabric, Cotton
Pair Italian Late Neoclassic Walnut & Upholstered Footstools, ca. 1840
Located in Atlanta, GA
each footstool upholstered in grey wool and having walnut veneered sides, raised on ebonized feet
Walnut
19th Century French Louis XVI Painted Footstool ~ Vanity Bench
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century French Louis XVI painted footstool ~ vanity bench represents a tailored expression of the Neoclassical Revival that for all practical purposes never really ended! handcr...
Fruitwood, Paint
Antique Painted and Upholstered French Gout Stool
Located in Bradenton, FL
Antique painted and upholstered French foot stool known in the time as a gout stool. Hand carved scrollwork with gilding.
Textile, Wood
Sold
H 20.87 in W 21.66 in D 17.72 in
Antique Stool, Paw Feet, Solid Mahogany, Black Boucle, France circa 1860
Located in Regensburg, DE
Large antique stool in Mahogany with Paw Feet from the mid 19th century. Mahogany solid wood. Four ebonized carved paw feet. Restored, hand polishe...
Fabric, Mahogany, Paint
Sold
H 17.92 in W 18.12 in D 14.18 in
Antique French Scissors Stool, Solid Mahogany, France, circa 1860
Located in Regensburg, DE
Antique French scissors stool or tabouret from France around 1860. Mahogany solid wood, shellac hand polished. Carved notch on the outside along the legs. Newly upholstered and cove...
Fabric, Mahogany
Sold
H 19.85 in W 19.69 in D 17.92 in
Neoclassical Style Black Lacquered and Brass Stool with Velvet Seat, circa 1940
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This neoclassical style stool is made of black lacquered metal l with red velvet seat. This is a French Work. Circa 1940.
Metal
Sold
H 17.72 in W 16.54 in D 13.39 in
Pair of Antique Stools, Ebonized Beech Wood, Creme Fabric, France circa 1820
Located in Regensburg, DE
A beautiful pair of petite stools from the french restoration / Biedermeier period. Solid beech wood, ebonized and polished. Newly upholstered and covere...
Fabric, Beech
Sold
H 16.93 in W 29.93 in D 23.43 in
Ralph Lauren Aran Isles Large Comfortable Designer Footstool Ottoman
By Ralph Lauren
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely Ralph Lauren Aran Isles two person footstool with feather filled cushion I have around 40 pieces of new Ralph Lauren furniture now ...
Fabric
Pair of Drexel Heritage Ottomans or Stools
By Drexel
Located in Redding, CT
Classic pair of Drexel Heritage Ottomans or Foot Stools. Perfect for under a console or at the end of a bed. Signed and in very good condition....
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of Large Tabourets, Beech Wood, France, circa 1860
Located in Regensburg, DE
Beautiful pair of large french stools or tabouret from the mid 19th century. Solid beech, partly ebonized. Restored and hand polished with shellac. Newly upholstered and covered with...
Velvet, Beech
Pair of Swedish Neoclassical Stools in Beech
Located in Chireno, TX
Pair of neoclassical stools in beech, hand-carved circa 1800-1830. Stretchers carved as opposing arrows with very faint remnants of gesso (stretchers probably originally gilded). New...
Linen, Upholstery, Birch