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
1920s Caldwell Silver Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920’s Caldwell silver plated sconces with two lights
Silver Plate, Bronze
$860Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century Bronze Gilt Sconce with Four Candle Arms, Acanthus Leaves, Rosettes
Located in Lomita, CA
The craftsmanship and the construction cause this neoclassical sconce to speak volumes. It has the most beautiful gilt finish and makes an absolutely stunning appearance once install...
Bronze
1920s Silver Plated Small Sconces With Cherubs
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920’s Caldwell small sconces with cherubs on backplate and two arms
Silver Plate, Bronze
$4,400 / set
1920's Silver Plated Caldwell Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920's Caldwell double light sconces with scrolled arms
Bronze
1920's Caldwell Gilt Bronze Double Lights Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920's Caldwell gilt bronze sconces with 2 lights
Bronze
1920’s Caldwell Silver Plated Sconces with Grapes design
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920’s silver plated Caldwell sconces with grapes on plate and cups
Metal, Silver Plate
1920s Caldwell Hand Painted Sconces
Located in New York, NY
Pair of circa 1920’s Caldwell sconces with hand painted floral design and two lights
Bronze
Large Neoclassical Gilt Wooden Eagle Sconce
By Palladio
Located in Redding, CT
Large Neoclassical Gilt Wooden Eagle Sconce. This is a two candled wall sconce and is not electrified. Use with candles only. Romantic and charming for any formal room . Small loss on right eagle wing.
Metal
1920’s Caldwell Gilt Bronze Sconces with Hazelnuts
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920’s Caldwell gilt bronze sconces with hazelnuts and acorns design
Bronze
$5,800 / set
Pair of Neoclassic Sconces
Located in New York, NY
Pair of 1920s neoclassic two light sconces with original patina. Measurements: 17" Height 5" Depth 11" Width
Bronze
1920's Caldwell Neoclassic Silver Plated Sconces with Grapes
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920’s Caldwell neoclassic style silver plated engraved sconces with two lights. Grapes on shield design
Silver Plate, Bronze
1920's Large Caldwell 5 Lights Sconces with Acanthus Leaves
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920's large Caldwell 5 lights bronze sconces with acanthus leaves
Bronze
1920’s Neoclassical Style Caldwell Sconces with cameos
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920’s Caldwell neoclassic style gilt bronze sconces with cameos and two lights
Bronze
1920's Caldwell Silver Plated Sconces with two lights
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920's silver plated Caldwell sconces with two lights
Bronze
$4,200 / set
1920s Silver Plated Sconces with cherubs
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1920's Silver Plated Sconces with cherubs design and two lights
Silver Plate
$1,000Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of French Bronze & Mirror Medallion 'America & Europe' Wall Sconces
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of French Bronze & Mirror Medallion 'America & Europe' Wall Sconces France, circa 1950s A fine pair of of French bronze wall sconces one each one with a 5.5 Inch diameter m...
Bronze
1920s Small Gilt Bronze Caldwell Sconces with two lights
Located in New York, NY
A pair of 1920’s small Caldwell engraved sconces with two lights
Bronze
$3,400 / set
1920's Small Silver Plated Sconces with Mirror
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920's silver plated sconces with beveled mirror backplate with two lights
Bronze
$3,800 / set
1920's Caldwell Bronze Patineted Black Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920's dark black patinated bronze sconces with two lights
Bronze
$3,400 / set
1920's Caldwell Double Light Bronze Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920's Caldwell double light sconces
Bronze
$4,400 / set
1920s Mirror Sconces with Bronze Fittings
Located in New York, NY
A pair of 1920’s mirrored back plate sconces with bronze fittings with two lights
Bronze
$8,800 / set
1900’s Caldwell Silver Plated Engraved Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1900’s Caldwell silver plated bronze sconces with unusual engraving on back plate. From Waldorf Hotel in NYC. Available in bronze and silver plated
Bronze
$3,800 / set
1920's Caldwell Brown Patina Bronze Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920's Caldwell brown patinated bronze double light sconces
Bronze
1920's Caldwell Bronze Sconces with Reverse Painted Mirror
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920's Caldwell double light sconces with reverse painted mirrored backplate
Bronze
1920's Caldwell Silver Plated Sconces with Gilt Ditales
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920's Caldwell silver plated double light sconces with gilt details
Bronze
$6,800 / set
1920’s Caldwell silver plated Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920’s Caldwell silver plated sconces with two lights
Silver Plate, Bronze
Pair of 1920's Caldwell Silver Plated 3 Lights Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920's Caldwell 3 lights sconces with grapes and acorns desing on backplate
Bronze
Pair of French Neoclassical 3-Arm Wall Sconces in Patinated and 24k Gilt Bronze
Located in Coimbra, PT
Elegant and refined pair of French neoclassical wall sconces featuring three arms each, crafted from patinated bronze with 24-karat gilt bronze accents. These exquisite wall lights ...
Bronze, Ormolu
Italian Pair of Painted Iron & Carved Wood 3-Light Sconces, Early 19thc. & later
Located in Atlanta, GA
with later carved backplates issuing wrought iron arms topped with giltwood bobeches, slightly different in size
Iron
Pair of Antique Gilt Tole Applique 3-Arm Hard Wired Sconces, Italy
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Matched pair of antique gilded applique tole 3-arm sconces. Beautiful curving acanthus-leaf forms and soft gold with patina. These were electrified at one point, wires are still in p...
Metal, Bronze
Sconce Antique French Bronze Wall Sconce Louis XVI/Neoclassical 19th Century
Located in Bastogne, BE
Antique French wall sconce, dating from the 19th century, showcases exquisite craftsmanship. Crafted from bronze, it features an intricately detailed rose with petals and a ribbon b...
Bronze
Fine Pair Gilt Bronze Neoclassical Bow Top Wreath Wall Sconces E.F. Caldwell
Located in Roslyn, NY
A fine pair gilt bronze neoclassical bow top two-arm Wall Sconces, By E.F. Caldwell.
Ormolu
$3,116Sale Price|20% Off
Magnificent E. F. Caldwell & Co Gilt Bronze Two Arm 6-Light Wall Sconce
Located in Atlanta, GA
Magnificent E. F. Caldwell & Co Gilt Bronze Two Arm 6-Light Wall Sconce. E. F. Caldwell & Co. was a prominent American lighting and metalwork company that operated during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Known for their exquisite craftsmanship and attention to detail, they produced a wide range of lighting fixtures, chandeliers, wall sconces, and other decorative pieces. This oversized...
Bronze
$2,580Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair 19thc French Neoclassical Gilt Bronze Wall Sconces
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Pair 19thc French Neoclassical Gilt Bronze Wall Sconces. Highly detailed. Original unelectrified state. Gorgeous lighting!
Bronze
$2,840Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair c1913 E.F. Caldwell Neoclassic Bronze & Silverplate Wall Sconces
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Pair of Documented c1913 Bronze/ Silverplate Neoclassical Wall Sconces by E.F. Caldwell. Please look closely at the pictures the detail is amazing! I purchased these directly from an...
Bronze
Pair of French 1960s 2 Patina Bronze Hand Sconces, 3 Pairs Available
Located in Miami, FL
Exceptional suite of 6 French bronze 2 patina wall Sconces in the style of Maison Jansen, circa 1960. Priced by pair. US rewired, one socket, 60 watts max or LED . Backplate dimen...
Bronze
$3,450 / set
Pair of Italian Carved Two-light Sconces
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of sconces, of painted and parcel giltwood, each diamond-shaped backplate outcarved with stylized fleur-de-lis, surmounted by palmette flanked by festooning, two iron C-scroll c...
Wood
Wonderful Large Pair French Gold Gilt Wrought Iron Neoclassical Wall Sconces
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful Large Pair Of French Gold Gilt Wrought Iron Two tone Neoclassical Style 3 Candelabra Light Wall Sconces
Iron
Glamorous Pair of Black and Gold Italian Neoclassical Sconces
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Beautiful pair of carved ebonized wood sconces having neoclassical style gilded decoration. Note: A slightly different set of sconces is also listed to make a set of 4.
Wood
Pair of Italian Neoclassic Empire Gilt Wood Wall Sconces
Located in Dublin, IE
Pair of Italian neo-classic Empire Giltwood 3 light wall sconces with centered classical winged female figure.
Giltwood
Elegant Pair of Regency Neoclassical French Empire Gilt Doré Bronze Lion Sconces
Located in Roslyn, NY
An elegant pair of Regency / neoclassical French Empire, gilt doré bronze sconces with lion heads and topped off with a twisted crown finial. Measure: ...
Bronze
$1,364Sale Price|30% Off
19th Century Louis XV Gilt Bronze Neoclassical Sconce
Located in Lomita, CA
The Louis XV style gilt cast bronze figural wall sconce is from the late 19th Century. The two-light sconce featuring a nude male figure against a shaped back, issuing a pair of ta...
Bronze
$1,784Sale Price|20% Off
Set of 4 FOUR 19thc. French Neoclassical style Bronze Ribbon Swag Wall Sconces
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Matched Set of 4 French Neoclassical style Bronze Wall Sconces Mid 19th. c. Bronze draped ribbon swag form with great detail with tassel detail. Original unelectrified state. Can eas...
Bronze
$2,840Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair c1790 Russian Imperial Silverplate Silver Plated w/ Crystal Wall Sconces
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Very Rare Pair of c1790-1800 Russian Imperial Silver Plated Bronze Wall Sconces. Crystal adorned [original] Imperial eagles. There is a small part missing on one sconce. Not detracta...
Silver Plate
$1,439Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Louis the 16th Style Bronze Wall Lights with Ribbons, French, circa 1950
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This pair of Louis the 16th style wall sconces is made of bronze. These wall lights are very decorative, they have a large noddle on top with twisted ribbons going from top to bottom...
Bronze
Vintage Sconces in Gilt Brass Ribbon & Torch Twin Branch Wall Lights, France
Located in Bastogne, BE
Vintage Paired wall sconces in beautiful gilt brass from the French manufacturer, 1950s. These two arm brass candlestick wall sconces feature ornate beaded, foliate designs and ribb...
Brass
$1,300 / set
Neoclassical Style Ebonized & Gilt Sconces, Pair
Located in Astoria, NY
Pair of Neoclassical Style Ebonized and Gilt Composition Wall Sconces, each with a single candlestick arm. 21" H x 13.25" W x 8" D. Provenance: From a Forest Hills Gardens Estate.
Metal
$2,800Sale Price / set|20% Off
Neoclassical Arrow Sconces
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A pair of Hollywood Regency painted metal three light sconces in the form of a quiver holding arrows with gold ends. Most likely French, 1940s or 1950s.
Metal
Pair of Wall Lamps in Brass and Textured Glass, Neoclassical Style
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of wall lamps in brass and textured glass. Each wall lamp features a metal structure with a vintage brass finish combined with two handmade molded glass diffusers. The glass ele...
Brass, Steel, Iron
1960’s Neoclassical Nickel plated French Sconces, 2 pair available
Located in Miami, FL
1960’s Neoclassical Nickel plated French Sconces, 2 pair available
Brass, Nickel
$2,975 / set
Pair Beaded Sconces
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a very elegant pair of beaded and crystal pendant Maria Theresa wall sconces that date to the mid-20th century. These sconces are elegant and in very good original condition-...
Crystal, Brass
Maison Charles Pineapple Bronze Sconces Wall Lamps Neoclassical France, Pair
Located in Miami, FL
Signed Maison Charles pineapple bronze sconces, US rewired an in working condition 2 bulb 60 watts Max. Measures: Back-plate: 5 inches H, 4 inches W (...
Bronze
$2,850Sale Price / item|21% Off
Fine Set Four French Dore Bronze Regency Neoclassical Empire Torchiere Sconces
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful set of four French dore bronze regency, neoclassical, Empire style torchiere two candelabra light sconces In The Manner Of Françoi...
Bronze
Pair of Italian Gilt Bronze Wall Sconces with Eagles and Ribbon Bows
Located in Essex, MA
Pair of Italian Carved and Giltwood Two-Light Sconces Late 19th to early 20th century Each finely carved sconce surmounted by a ribbon and bow crest above a stylized eagle with outst...
Giltwood
Wonderful Pair French Empire Patinated Dore Bronze Swan Neoclassical Sconces
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful pair French empire patinated dore bronze swan neoclassical sconces.
Bronze
Pair of Exceptional Ram's Head Maison Charles Sconces
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of sconces. Featuring a ram's head on a disk. Two patinas gun metal and bronze, circa 1950s. 3 sconces available, priced for one pair. Two bulbs, 80 W or each. US wired and i...
Brass, Bronze
$1,800Sale Price / set|68% Off
Pair E. F. Caldwell Silver Plated Bronze Two-Light Sconces
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
These handsome sconces feature cast rosettes, acanthus leaves, and tassel from finials.
Bronze
Pair of Neoclassical Style Bronze Three Arm Wall Sconce Lights, circa 1900
Located in Banner Elk, NC
A pair of Neoclassical style bronze three arm wall sconce lights having central flamed finials flanked by rooster heads, French, circa 1910. Dimensions: Ht: 26" Wd: 10.5" Dpth: 6.5"
Bronze
17th Century 5 lights Trianon Wall Lamp in antique bronze finish
Located in Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine, IDF
A superb antique bronze wall lamp, the original of which is in the Petit Trianon in Versailles. The decoration of this piece is rich, with nu...
Bronze
French Wall Sconces Polished Brass & Glass Jules Leleu Style - Pair 4 available
By Jules Leleu
Located in Miami, FL
French Neoclassical Polished Brass and Faceted Glass pair of Sconces, Wall lights in Jules Leleu style. Priced by pair. We have 4 Pair available. Pair with three arms available Stock...
Brass