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.
German 19th Century Giltwood Candle Chandelier
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
German 19th century giltwood chandelier for burning taper candles, untouched by the modern convenience of electricity as a delightfully analog source of light. This elegant design fr...
Metal
$1,260Sale Price|30% Off
Antique Neoclassical Duplex English Brass Corinthian Banquet Oil Lamp GWTW
Located in Dayton, OH
An exquisite antique English brass Duplex oil lamp, featuring a tall base in the shape of a Corinthian column festooned with cherub / satyr faces and l...
Brass
Pr. Russian Ormolu & Bronze Lamps w/ Genies of Study & Philosophy, after Boizot
By Louis-Simon Boizot
Located in New York, NY
A Pair of Patinated Bronze and Ormolu Russian Lamps with the Genies of L'Étude and La Philosophie, After Models by Louis-Simon Boizot (French, 1743–1809) The pair is composed of pat...
Bronze
$5,760Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Italian Grand Tour Silver Oil Lamp by Angelo Giannotti
Located in New York, NY
Grand tour-era Italian Neoclassical silver oil lamp, ca 1830. Hemispheric bowl mounted with four cast bull head burners, each with chained tool. Cover domed; shade on scrolled suppor...
Silver
Pair of Fine Italian Mid-Century Hand Blown Table Lamps by Seguso
Located in Long Island City, NY
Hand blown, with a gold-dusted glass tulip shape shade mounted on a bronze base. Original "SB/351 Murano Seguso Vetri d'Arte" label.
Bronze
$1,280Sale Price|20% Off
Russian Neoclassic Bronze and Ormolu Candlestick Lamp
Located in Essex, MA
Originally one of a pair of figural candlesticks. Finely cast and chased with a candleholder now fitted with a two light modern fixture. T...
Other
19th Century European Brass Hanging Church Sanctuary Pendant Lamp with Cherubim
Located in Madrid, ES
This 19th century brass hanging pendant sanctuary lamp is from a Spanish collection, but it shares characteristics with French sanctuary lamps of...
Brass
$8,876 / set
Two Louis XVI Style Carved Giltwood Wall Sconces
Located in London, GB
These beautiful giltwood wall lights are designed in the style of decorative art produced in the Louis XVI period (1774-1793). This period saw the emergence of the neoclassical style...
Giltwood
$1,865 / set
Set of Two Candle Holder – Antique Gold Finish
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
This pair of Candle Holder captures the austere elegance of 17th-century Spanish design.This sculptural candle holder features a bold silhouette and minimalist detailing, evoking the...
Bronze
$720Sale Price / set|20% Off
Classic Candle Torchieres
By Chapman Manufacturing Company
Located in Denton, TX
Combination of marble and brass with blown glass shades make these outstanding examples of Chapman lighting company.
Belgian Black Marble, Brass
Rare 19th Century Indian Neoclassical Silver Oil Lamp
Located in Essex, MA
Period Indian silver oil lamp of neoclassical inspiration --Early 19th century --Original Throughout including wick tools and flame/ball finial --...
Silver
$520Sale Price|20% Off
Gilt Bronzed Metal Double Candle Holders
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a pair of gilt bronzed metal double candle holders. They depict double candle holders decorated with some scrolls of acanthus leaves in th...
Metal
$2,850 / set
H 18 in W 7 in D 6 in
Beautiful French Dore Bronze Marble Cherub Ormolu-Mounted Candelabra Lamps, Pair
Located in Roslyn, NY
A beautiful pair of French gilt doré bronze and marble cherub ormolu-mounted candelabra / three branch lamps.
Marble, Bronze
$1,750Sale Price|20% Off
H 11.13 in Dm 4.63 in
Pair of 19th Century French Brass Neoclassical Candlesticks
Located in Pembroke, MA
A pair of very finely-chased French brass candlesticks, circa 1870 in the neoclassical style (could be electrified as table lamps). Bases are decorated with rose vines.
Brass
$670 / item
H 19.69 in Dm 8.67 in
Neoclassical Style Gilt Bronze and Marble Candlestick by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This little neoclassical style gilt bronze and marble candlestick by Gherardo Degli Albizzi would be ideal to be placed on a bedside table. Even if it features classical shape, overa...
Marble, Lapis Lazuli, Bronze
$5,700 / set
H 25.5 in Dm 10.25 in
Mid-Century Modern Hand-Blown Murano Glass Table Lamps, Italy, 1960
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A pair of vintage Mid-Century modern Italian table lamps, in good condition. Both lights are made of lightly frosted, hand-blown Murano glass, one light socket. These elegant, authen...
Metal, Brass
$6,800 / set
H 20.5 in W 9 in D 6 in
Pair of Empire Candelabra of Ormolu and Patinated Bronze and Marble
Located in Essex, MA
Pair of late 19th century Empire bronze and ormolu candelabra. - Caryatid herm female figures on marble block plinths. - Three ormolu candle arms/cups - Well modeled.
Marble, Bronze
Mid-Century Murano Glass Table Lamp, Italy, Hand-Blown, 1960s Design
Located in Göteborg, SE
This elegant Murano glass table lamp, crafted in 1960s, exemplifies the exquisite artistry and timeless design of mid-century Italian lighting. The lamp features a beautifully design...
Murano Glass
$850 / set
H 9.75 in W 3.5 in D 3.5 in
Pair Antique Neoclassical Style Corinthian Column Gilt Bronze Candle Holders
Located in New York, NY
Pair Neoclassical style Corinthian column form gilt bronze candle holders Late 19th- Early 20th Century Attractive, well detailed Corinthian column capitals with reeded column bodies...
Bronze
Pair of Antique Silver Plated Corinthian Candlesticks
Located in Suffolk, GB
Pair of antique silver plated Corinthian candlesticks having pretty shaped removable sconces to the top and supported by attractive circular re...
Silver Plate
$1,036Sale Price|20% Off
H 40 in W 22.75 in D 12 in
Antique Italian Renaissance Brass Lucerne Florentine Chatelaine Oil Lamp 1880
Located in Portland, OR
A good 19th century Italian 'Florentine' or 'Lucerne' 4 burner brass oil lamp, in the Renaissance Revival manner, circa 1860. Designed to burn whale oil which is placed into a reserv...
Brass
$1,340 / item
H 25.6 in Dm 13 in
Neoclassical Style Gilt Bronze and Marble Candlestick by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This Neoclassical style gilt bronze and marble candlestick by Gherardo Degli Albizzi would be ideal to be placed on a bedside table or on a desk. Even if it features a classical shap...
Marble, Bronze
Pair of Seguso Murano Amber Glass Table Lamps, Italian, 1960s Design
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Pair of Seguso Italian Murano handblown amber ribbed glass table lamps. Glass has a rich golden amber color with each lamp weighs over 14 pounds. ...
Metal, Brass
$3,250 / set
H 20 in Dm 12 in
Pair of Gilt and Patinated Bronze Candlestick Lamps with Orange Silk Shades
Located in Pembroke, MA
Pair of handsome 19th century French gilt bronze and patinated bronze candlesticks in the restoration style. The candlesticks have been wired as lamps and fitted with pleated orange ...
Bronze
Vintage Glass and Brass Hurricane Candle Holders by Maitland Smith
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Neoclassical style candle holders having pressed glass shades trimmed in brass on classic brass hourglass form pedestals over black marble bases with brass feet. Labeled Maitland Smi...
Marble, Brass
Sold
H 30 in W 6.75 in D 6.75 in
Antique Neoclassical Bronze Oil Lamp with Floral Ripple Glass Shade C1890
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Neoclassical Bronze Oil Lamp with Fluted & Flared Base, Pressed Glass Font and Floral Ripple Glass Shade C1890 Measures- 30''H x 6.75''W x 6.75''D
Bronze
Early American style Hurricane Candle holders , Nickel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Glass shades are very well carved with what looks like large Oak Leafs . The glass is at a 7" dia at the top and are mounted on a solid brass base all polished and plated in Nick...
Glass
Italian Mid Century Hurricane Lamp with Black Lacquered Base
Located in Stamford, CT
A very handsome Neoclassical style Italian photophore or hurricane lamp on a black lacquer turned wood base. With brass candle holder and hand blown glass shade. Mid 20th century, a ...
Brass
French 19th Century Bouillotte Lamp
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A unique French 19th century brass and tole Bouillotte lamp. Bouillotte is a card game popular in France during the 18th & 19th centuries. For light, they would use a bouillotte lamp...
Brass, Tôle
Pair of American Victorian Czechoslovakian Cut to Clear Glass Mantel Lusters
Located in New Orleans, LA
A stunning pair of hand made glass cut to clear Bohemian Victorian mantle lusters having spear cut crystal prisms, in a white and green pattern. Bohemian mantel lusters...
Crystal
Etched Glass Greek Key Photophore
Located in New York, NY
The hurricane shade etched with two bands of Greek key motif, on stepped plinth base.
Glass
Neoclassical Style Hurricane Lamp with Alabaster Base
Located in Stamford, CT
An Italian photophore with an unusual turned and stained alabaster base. With brass candle holder and hand blown glass shade. Mid 20th century, a modern...
Alabaster, Brass
Sold
H 13 in W 4.73 in D 4.73 in
Pair of 19th century English Classical Corinthian Column Candlestick Desk Lamps
Located in London, by appointment only
Pair of silver plate Corinthian column candlesticks, with Corinthian capitals above fluted stems and raised on stepped squa...
Silver Plate