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.
$4,800 / set
1900 Neoclassical Caldwell Sconces Urn Design
Located in New York, NY
1900's Caldwell sconces with neoclassical urn design, available 8 pairs
Bronze
$12,500 / set
19thC Signed Barbedienne Three Arm Sconces, a Pair
Located in Sarasota, FL
Mid 19thC Barbedienne signed pair of neoclassical period three arm sconces in bronze, made in France. Three foliate arms are decorated with floral swags. The fluted oval back plate i...
Metal, Bronze, Ormolu
1920's Caldwell Silver Plated Sconces with Alabaster Shade
Located in New York, NY
pair of circa 1920's Caldwell silver plated sconces with alabaster shade, two interior lights
Alabaster, Bronze
Two 1950s Neo Classic Style Lacquered Wood Florentine Wall Sconces
Located in Catania, Sicilia
These exquisite 1950s Florentine wall sconces bring a touch of mid-century Italian elegance to any interior, showcasing the classic gilded and lacquered wood craftsmanship synonymous...
Wrought Iron
Pr. French 19th Century Empire Neoclassical Style Parcel-Gilt Bronze Wall Lights
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine Pair of French, 19th Century Empire-Neoclassical style parcel-gilt and patinated bronze five-light wall lights (Sconces). The elongated dark patinated two-tone frames, ea...
Bronze
Pair of Italian Giltwood Wall Sconces in Neoclassical Trophy Form
Located in Stamford, CT
A pair of Italian wall sconces in Neoclassical trophy form of gilt softwood now electrified. Circa 1860.
Wood
$2,200 / set
pair of antique French 1940 bronze sconces
Located in Los Angeles, CA
remember we have over three thousand antique sconces and over one thousand antique lights, we can not put everything on 1stdibs, if you need a specific pair of sconces or lights, ask...
Bronze
Pair Of French 19th Century Neo-Classical St. Ormolu & Patinated Bronze Sconces
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and high quality pair of French 19th century Neo-Classical st. Ormolu and patinated Bronze sconces. Each sconce has an impressive and richly chased patinated Bronze winged...
Bronze, Ormolu
$2,400 / set
Pair of Nickel Plated Wall lights circa 1950
Located in CA, CA
Elegant pair of nickel wall sconces with shades circa 1950
Nickel
Pair of French 19th Century Neoclassical St. Patinated Bronze and Ormolu Sconces
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An outstanding and unique pair of French 19th century Neo-Classical st. patinated bronze and ormolu sconces. Each four arm sconce is centered by a hexagonal patinated bronze backplat...
Bronze, Ormolu
Antique Set of 6 Neo-Classical Ormolu & Glass Griffin Wall Lights 20th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a superb set of six antique Edwardian Neo-classical 'Griffin' ormolu & cut glass wall lights, circa 1900 in date. They are beautifully cast with oval wall plates and scr...
Ormolu
1920's Gilt Bronze Sconces with Acanthus Leaves
Located in New York, NY
A pair of 1920's gilt bronze two lights sconces with acanthus leaves design
Bronze
Set of 2 Mid-Century Modern Italian Neoclassical Sconces, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Elegant wall sconces from Italy. Neoclassical and Hollywood Regency Style. This set consists of two neoclassical-style wall sconces. The design imitates classic wall candlesticks. I...
Metal
Set of Giant Hand-Forged Country House Wall Lamps Apple, Chery and Grapes
Located in Hannover, DE
This set of three enormous, hand-forged wall lights is exceptional, embodying elegance and quality. Hand-forged by a master blacksmith, each lamp is as unique as a snowflake. They co...
Iron
$5,800 / set
1900 Large Caldwell Etched Mirror Sconces
Located in New York, NY
1900 pair of large mirror backplate and bronze arms Caldwell sconces with etched design. Newly rewired UL
Bronze
18th Century 5 lights Louis XVI Wall Lamp in nickel II finish
Located in Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine, IDF
This model is very characteristic of the Louis XVI style, with the symmetry of neo-classicism and some touches of ornaments remaining in the Louis XV style. It is similar to the pair...
Bronze, Nickel
$4,950 / set
Pair of Maison Jansen Wall Sconces
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Very Fine Pair of Gilt Bronze Wall Sconces by Maison Jansen. The back plate with mirrors. Beaded bobeches. Elegant Acanthus Leaf in front. France, circa 1930 Dimensions: Height 24...
Bronze
18th Century style 3 lights Aigle Wall Lamp in gold 24K finish
Located in Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine, IDF
If the base of this sconce and the three arms of light, are of very classical inspiration, close to the model of Joseph Silffred Duplessis dating from 1760 preserved in the Louvre Mu...
Gold, Bronze
$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
Huge Pair of 19th C Style Giltwood Torchieres Wall Sconces
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Huge Pair of 19th C Style Giltwood Torchieres Wall Sconces
Giltwood
$3,400 / set
1900s Small Silver Plated Sconces Two Lights
Located in New York, NY
pair of 1900 silver plated sconces with tea pot shape and two lights
Silver Plate, Bronze
Historistic Wall Lamp Around 1890s with Original Glass Shade
Located in Wien, Au
Historistic wall lamp around 1890s with original glass shade Polished and stove enameled Original glass shade.
Brass
Pair of Neoclassical French Sconces, Bronze and Crystal, Circa 1900
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of crystal and bronze wall sconces, France circa 1900s. The French sconces have a bronze frame with a Lyre shape. The antique sconces are fully ornate with crystals: a few of th...
Crystal, Bronze
1920 Caldwell Bronze and Silver Plated Sconces Leaf Design
Located in New York, NY
Circa 1920 Caldwell bronze and silver plated sconces with leaves design, 2 lights
Bronze
Set of 4 Mid-Century Modern Italian Neoclassical W 1013 Sconces from Palladio
By Palladio
Located in Hamburg, DE
Elegant wall sconces from the italian manufacturer palladio from the 1960s. Neoclassical and Hollywood Regency Style. The set consists of four neoclassical-style wall sconces. The d...
Metal
Pair of French 19th Century Neo-Classical Four Arm Ormolu Sconces
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant pair of French 19th century Neo-Classical st. four arm ormolu sconces. Each sconce is centered by a fine bottom palmette designed finial below most decorative scrolled fol...
Ormolu
19th Century Pair Swedish Empire Birch Wall Mirrors with Brass Candleholders
Located in Madrid, ES
A pair of Swedish Empire wall mirror sconces crafted in birch veneer with solid brass detailing, dating to the early 19th century, circa 1820. Each rectangular mirror is framed by el...
Brass
$4,800 / set
1920's Etched Mirror Sconces with 2 Lights
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920's gilt bronze sconces with etched mirrored backplate
Bronze
$16,387 / set
Two Large Neoclassical Style Gilt Bronze Sconces
Located in London, GB
These two large and exquisite gilt bronze sconces were crafted in the early 20th Century in France in a grand, Neoclassical style. The lights feature long stems which take the for...
Ormolu, Bronze
$3,600Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Sconces in Bronze Neolassical
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of bronze sconces in the style neoclassical, very decorative and rare.
Bronze
$1,650 / set
Pair of Lyre Shaped Silver Sconces
Located in San Francisco, CA
Pair of Neoclassical Lyre shaped silver painted over brass two light sconces. Recently re-wired. American, Early 20th. Century.
Brass
1920's Caldwell Small Mirror Sconces with 2 lights
Located in New York, NY
pair of circa 1920's Caldwell gilt bronze double lights sconces with mirrored back plated
Bronze
Pair of Italian Cold Painted Tin & Iron Figurative Monkey Wall Sconces, 20th C
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of Italian cold painted tin and iron figurative dancing monkey wall sconces with flanking decorative palm trees, two scrolled foliage candle a...
Iron, Tin
Pair of Italian Neoclassical Painted and Giltwood Wall Candle Sconces
Located in Elkhart, IN
A beautifully detailed pair of Italian neoclassical wall sconces featuring a soft celadon green painted finish accented with cream and...
Composition
French 19th Century Neoclassical St. Ormolu and Crystal Sconces Signed Baccarat
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and monumental pair of French 19th century neo-classical st. ormolu and crystal seven arm, nine-light sconces, signed Baccarat. Each lyre shape sconce is centered by a fin...
Crystal, Ormolu
2 Historistic wall lamps vienna around 1890s
Located in Wien, Au
2 Historistic wall lamps vienna around 1890s Brass polished and stove enameled The bulbs are not included. They are only for the photoshoot.
Brass
1900 Caldwell Silver Plated Sconces with Cherubs 3 Lights
Located in New York, NY
pair of 1900's Caldwell silver plated sconces with cherubs on the backplate and 3 lights
Bronze
Antique Gilt Bronze Welsbach Gas Light Fixture/ Sconce & OC White Bracket
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Antique Gilt Bronze Welsbach Gas Light/ Lamp/ Sconce Fixture. Beautiful original condition. Needs electrification.
Bronze
Neoclassical Gilt Bronze Sconces by Edward F. Caldwell, Circa 1920
Located in Greenwich, CT
Pair of rare Gilt Bronze Laurel sconces by Edward F. Caldwell & Co., circa 1910-1920 Elegant design and finely detailed cast - Each with two light supports, above superbly carved scr...
Bronze
$5,800 / set
1900 Caldwell Silver Plated Sconces Two Lights
Located in New York, NY
Pair of circa 1900 Caldwell silver plated sconces with two lights
Bronze
$4,800 / set
1920 Caldwell Bronze Sconces 2 Lights
Located in New York, NY
Circa 1920 Caldwell gilt bronze sconces with 2 lights
Bronze
1900 Caldwell Silver Plated Sconces With Two Lights
Located in New York, NY
pair of 1900 Caldwell silver plated neoclassical style sconces with two lights
Bronze
$3,800 / set
1920 Caldwell Etched Mirror Sconces
Located in New York, NY
Circa 1920’s Caldwell etched mirror sconces with two lights and glass cups
Bronze
Set of Giant Hand-Forged Country House Wall Lamps Apple, Plum and Pear
Located in Hannover, DE
This set of three enormous, hand-forged wall lights is exceptional, embodying elegance and quality. Hand-forged by a master blacksmith, each lamp is as unique as a snowflake. They co...
Iron
Four 19th Century German Neoclassical Wall Sconces, Werner und Neffen, Schinkel
Located in Essex, MA
A set of four German Neoclassical gilt bronze and cut glass three-light wall appliqués, in the manner of Karl Friedrich Schinkel (1781-1841), by the bronzeure Werner und Neffen Berli...
Crystal, Bronze
3 Historistic wall lamps with opal glass shades vienna around 1890s
Located in Wien, Au
3 Historistic wall lamps with opal glass shades vienna around 1890s Brass polished and stove enameled 3 original antique glass shades
Brass
Pair French Neoclassic Painted and Gilt Tole 3-Light Wall Sconces, ca. 1840’s
Located in Atlanta, GA
The tole retaining its faded blue paint with gold striping, the bottom applied leaf-forms gilt metal, of waterfall shape the tiers graduated with sections of half rounds throughout t...
Metal
1920 Caldwell Etched Mirror Sconces with Flowers Design
Located in New York, NY
Circa 1920 Caldwell etched mirror and bronze sconces with flowers design. newly UL rewired
Bronze
$3,400 / set
1920 Caldwell Silver Plated Sconces
Located in New York, NY
pair of circa 1920's Caldwell silver plated double light sconces
Bronze
4 Historistic wall lamps with cut glass shade vienna around 1890s
Located in Wien, Au
4 Historistic wall lamps with cut glass shade vienna around 1890s Brass polished and stove enameled Original antique Cut glass shades The price is for all 4
Brass
$1,888Sale Price|20% Off
Set of 3 1940's French Neoclassical style Gilt Bronze Fish/ Dolphon Wall Sconces
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Mathed SET of 3. French Neoclassical style Gilt Bronze Dolphin/ Fish/ Sea Creature / Koi Wall Sconces with Original Opaline Glass Shades. I found these in the Montmarte section of Pa...
Bronze
Pair of 19th Century Bronze Doré Three-Arm Sconces
Located in Houston, TX
A massive pair of 19th century bronze doré sconces from France.
Bronze
Set of Four Signed Caldwell Mirror Back Bronze Sconces with Ruby Glass Accents
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This handsome set of sconces are by the renowned firm of Edward F. Caldwell, and are signed on the back. They feature wheel cut mirrored glass backs with ruby glass accents of Neocla...
Bronze
Pair of French Neoclassical Style Brass and Glass Two-Light Wall Lanterns
Located in Barntrup, DE
An adorable pair of French Neoclassical-style wall lanterns. These elegant wall lamps feature a polished brass frame and three curved clear glass panels. Each wall light has two sock...
Brass
Pair E.F. Caldwell Neoclassical Gilt Bronze Three-Light Sconces
Located in New York, NY
Pair of neoclassical gilt bronze three-light sconces from Edward F. Caldwell, circa 1900s, featuring female caryatids with headdress of fruit in the Greek style.
Bronze
Pair Of Painted Sheet Metal And Brass Wall Lights, 20th Century
Located in Brussels, BE
Pair Of Painted Sheet Metal And Brass Wall Lights, 20th Century
Metal, Brass
$1,920Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair French Neoclassical Crystal, Silverplated & Engraved Mirror Sconces
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of French Neoclassical Crystal, Silverplated, and Engraved Mirror Sconces France, 1920-1940, Art Deco in period, Neoclassical in design A stunning pair of French Neoclassical...
Crystal, Silver Plate
$1,250 / set
Brass Neoclassical Wall Sconces
Located in New York, NY
Heavy molded brass with a deep antique patina, these sconces evoke nineteenth century interiors, though they date from the 1920's. Designed for electricity and bearing stylized, rat...
Brass
1920's English Silver Plated Cherub Sconces with 2 Lights
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920's English silver plated bronze cherub shape sconces
Bronze
Large Pair of French Patinated Bronze Neoclassical Sconces, Mid 20th Century
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Large Pair of French Patinated Bronze Neoclassical Sconces with Empire Influences, Mid-20th Century, Candelabra Bulb up to 60W A grand pair of French patinated bronze wall sconces, ...
Bronze