The classical revival that influenced the Louis XVI style was sparked by the 1748 excavation of Pompeii. This archaeological discovery, combined with a growing backlash against the excesses of the Rococo era and a new moral emphasis on simplicity, created the perfect environment for the rise of Neoclassicism.

Gone were the days of superfluous ornamentation and Baroque extravagance. The new style among the elite favored a return to simplicity, with many abandoning the ornate elegance of ceremonial rooms and grand townhouses in favor of smaller, rustic retreats. In an attempt to align themselves with the sentiments of the common French people, the wealthy and bourgeois began to favor furniture that was less frivolous.

Designers of the Louis XVI period drew inspiration from the more architectural furniture of the Louis XIV era, incorporating simple and less ornate elements. Common motifs included egg-and-dart carvings, oak and laurel leaf decorations, wreaths, cornucopias, and fluted columns. Molding, gold leaf accents, painted wood, and rosette carvings atop legs were also prevalent.

The influence of Marie Antoinette, queen to Louis XVI, played a significant role in the development of the Neoclassical style in furniture design. Her taste was instrumental in the creation of many of the small, elegant pieces found in her apartments at Versailles. Neoclassicism furnished the Queen’s private spaces, even as it signaled the impending end of the monarchy.