Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
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.
2010s American Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass, Bronze, Nickel
1960s Vintage Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Bronze
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Giltwood
2010s American Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass, Bronze, Nickel
20th Century American Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass, Copper
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Ormolu
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass, Bronze
Early 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Crystal, Brass
20th Century Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Silver Plate
2010s American Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass, Bronze, Nickel
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Silver Plate
1890s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass
1920s Vintage Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Bronze
1890s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Bronze
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Bronze
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Plaster
1890s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Tôle, Bronze
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Wood
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Bronze
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Tin, Iron
20th Century French Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Bronze
20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Glass
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass, Bronze
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Ceramic
20th Century Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass, Copper
1910s French Vintage Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Metal
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Crystal, Metal
1980s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Gold Plate, Brass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Bronze
2010s American Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Nickel, Bronze, Brass
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass, Copper
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Mirror, Giltwood
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Silver Plate, Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Bronze, Ormolu
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Gold Leaf
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Crystal, Metal, Copper
1920s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Bronze
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass
Early 2000s Spanish Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Bronze
2010s American Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Fabric
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Bronze
2010s American Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Fabric
20th Century Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Giltwood
Early 20th Century North American Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Bronze
2010s American Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Nickel, Bronze, Brass
20th Century French Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Bronze
1810s Italian Antique Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Ormolu
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Zinc
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Bronze, Brass
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Bronze, Ormolu
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Steel