Neoclassical Gueridon
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 French Neoclassical Gueridon
Wood
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Gueridon
Zinc
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Gueridon
Brass
Early 20th Century Dutch Neoclassical Gueridon
Oak
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Gueridon
Marble, Metal, Bronze
20th Century Swedish Neoclassical Gueridon
Birch
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Gueridon
Marble, Brass, Bronze, Stainless Steel, Nickel
1980s French Vintage Neoclassical Gueridon
Brass, Chrome
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Gueridon
Stone, Bronze
2010s European Neoclassical Gueridon
Aluminum, Brass
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Gueridon
Wood
1840s Italian Antique Neoclassical Gueridon
Walnut
1890s French Antique Neoclassical Gueridon
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Neoclassical Gueridon
Steel
1850s Italian Antique Neoclassical Gueridon
Beech
Early 20th Century Javanese Neoclassical Gueridon
Wood
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Gueridon
Bronze
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Gueridon
Wood
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Gueridon
Marble, Bronze
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Gueridon
Siena Marble, Statuary Marble
Early 1900s Russian Antique Neoclassical Gueridon
Serpentine, Bronze
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Gueridon
Belgian Black Marble, Bronze
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Gueridon
Marble
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Gueridon
Brass
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Gueridon
Carrara Marble, Bronze
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Gueridon
Marble, Iron
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Gueridon
Marble, Brass, Bronze