Neoclassical Lighting
NEOCLASSICAL STYLE
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.
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Style: Neoclassical
Historic chandelier vienna around 1890s with original antique glass shades
Located in Wien, AT
Historistic chandelier vienna around 1890s with original antique glass shades
Polished and stove enameled
original antique glass shades
Category
1890s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Lighting
Materials
Brass
1940's Italian Etched Glass Lantern
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1940's Italian etched glass lanterns with a 3 lights cluster
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Materials
Blown Glass
Antique Brass Floral White Milk Glass Dish Pendant Light
Located in New York, NY
Neoclassical white glass dish pendant light with ornate cast details suspended from three chains with a brass fitter. Cleaned and restored. Takes th...
Category
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Lighting
Materials
Brass
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
Category
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Antique Danish Heiberg Table Lamps in White Porcelain and Brass
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A matching 'small' and large example of the original Heiberg table lamps. They are made from white glazed porcelain featuring accents in patinated brass. The name Heiberg derives fro...
Category
Early 20th Century Danish Neoclassical Lighting
Materials
Brass
1920's Caldwell Gilt Bronze One Light Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920's Caldwell gilt bronze one light sconces.
Category
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Materials
Bronze
1920s Caldwell Bronze 6 Lights Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1920's Caldwell 6 lights chandelier with brown patinated finish
Category
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Materials
Bronze
1900s Large Caldwell Silver Plated Sconces with flower design
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1900’s Caldwell silver plated sconces, unusual flowers design and large size
Category
Early 1900s American Antique Neoclassical Lighting
Materials
Silver Plate
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
Category
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Materials
Silver Plate, Bronze
Pair of Giltwood Neoclassical Style Italian Urn Lamps C. 1930
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Italian Neoclassical style giltwood urn lamps with carved acanthus leaves. The urns sit on plinth bases. The lamps are both in working condition.
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Lighting
Materials
Giltwood
Baccarat Crinoline Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Very Fine "Crinoline" Chandelier by Baccarat featuring the classical crystal "plumes", octagon graduated chains and long slinder prisms. 8 lights.
France, circa 1930.
Dimensions:...
Category
1930s French Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
1900's Gilt Bronze Caldwell 8 lights Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1900's Caldwell gilt bronze 8 lights chandelier
Category
Early 1900s American Antique Neoclassical Lighting
Materials
Bronze
1920's Caldwell Small Mirror Sconces with 2 lights
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920's Caldwell gilt bronze double lights sconces with mirrored back plated
Category
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Materials
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
Category
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Materials
Bronze
1920's Caldwell Silver Plated Engraved Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920's Caldwell silver plated sconces
Category
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Materials
Bronze
1920s Caldwell Gilt Bronze Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920’s Caldwell gilt bronze sconces with two lights
Category
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Materials
Bronze
1940s Bronze Shell Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of gilt bronze shell sconces with 3 interior lights
Category
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Lighting
Materials
Bronze
1920's Caldwell Silver plated Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920's Caldwell silver plated double light sconces
Category
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair 1920's Caldwell Gilt Bronze Sconces with Cherub
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920's Caldwell double light sconces with cherub atop
Category
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Materials
Bronze
1920’s Caldwell Brown patina Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920’s brown patina Caldwell double light sconces
Category
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Materials
Bronze
1920s Caldwell Nickel Plated Light Fixture
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1920’s neoclassic Caldwell light fixture with interior light
Category
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Materials
Nickel
1920's Neoclassic Style Gilt Bronze Sconces
Located in New York, NY
Pair of circa 1920's gilt bronze neoclassic style double light sconces
Category
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Materials
Bronze
1900's Neoclassic Green and Gold Light Fixture
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1900 Neoclassic style light fixture with Greek key design and interior lights
Category
Early 1900s American Antique Neoclassical Lighting
Materials
Plaster
1920's Neoclassic Caldwell Mirror Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920's Caldwell neoclassic style 2 lights bronze sconces with etched mirror backplate
Category
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Materials
Bronze
1920s Large Caldwell Silver Plated Sconces with thee lights
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920’s large Caldwell silver plated sconces with 3 lights unusual size
Category
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Materials
Silver Plate, Bronze
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
Category
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Materials
Bronze
1920's Gilt Bronze Flush Mounted with Opaline Leaded Glass
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1920's leaded glass light fixtures with 2 interior lights, from Waldorf Hotel in NYC
Category
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Materials
Bronze
1940's French Large Opaline Glass Table Lamps - Pair
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1940's French Opaline glass table lamps with gilt details.
Category
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Materials
Opaline Glass
1930's Gilt Bronze Sunburst Sconces with Two Lights - Pair
Located in New York, NY
A pair pf circa 1930's gilt bronze sconces with sunburst shaped backplate
Category
1930s American Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Materials
Bronze
1920's English Silver Plated Bronze Large Chandelier with 36 lights
Located in New York, NY
Circa 1920's silver plated bronze chandelier with 36 lights. Beautiful large chandelier in very good condition. Available two cahndelier as a pair
Category
1920s English Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Materials
Bronze
1920's Neoclassic Caldwell Gilt Bronze sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920's gilt bronze sconces with neoclassic design and two lights
Category
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Materials
Bronze
1920’s Caldwell Double Arm Gilt Bronze Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1920's Caldwell gilt bronze double lights sconces
Category
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Materials
Bronze
1920's Caldwell Sconces with Etched Mirror Backplate
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920's Caldwell gilt bronze sconces with etched mirrored backplate.
Category
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Materials
Bronze
1920's Caldwell Gilt Bronze Neoclassical Chandelier with Cut Glass
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1920's Caldwell gilt bronze light fixture with cut glass inset. (6 interior lights)
Category
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Materials
Bronze
1920's Caldwell Sconces with Mirror Backplate
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920's Caldwell double light sconces with sunburst etched mirrored backplate
Category
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Large Vintage Italian Alabaster Column Lamps with Ionic Capitals
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Fantastic Pair of Large Vintage Italian Alabaster Column Lamps in the neoclassical taste. Each with carved ionic capitals with reeded columns which sit atop a square plinth base. Bot...
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Materials
Alabaster
1900's Caldwell Gilt Bronze Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1900's Caldwell gilt bronze sconces with double lights
Category
Early 1900s American Antique Neoclassical Lighting
Materials
Bronze
1920s Neoclassical Four Light Gilt Bronze Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of 1920’s neoclassic style gilt bronze four lights sconces with rock crystals and crystals hangings
Category
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Rock Crystal, Bronze
1920's Silver Plated Caldwell Chandelier with Gilt Ornaments
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1920's Caldwell chandelier with gilded details ,matching sconces available.
Category
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Materials
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
Category
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Materials
Bronze
1930's Etched Mirror Sconces with Two Lights
Located in New York, NY
A pai r of circa 1930's etched mirrored backplate sconces with two lights
Category
1930s American Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Materials
Bronze
1900s Small Silver Plated Sconces with two lights
Located in New York, NY
A pair of 1900 silver plated sconces with tea pot shape and two lights
Category
Early 1900s American Antique Neoclassical Lighting
Materials
Silver Plate, Bronze
1920's Neoclassic Caldwell Silver Table Lamps
Located in New York, NY
The circa 1920s neoclassic Greek style Caldwell silver table lamp with a lot of details: people body on bottom part and leaves on top
Category
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Materials
Silver Plate, Bronze
Polished Contemporary Brass and Bordeaux Glazed Ceramic Lamps
Located in Lomita, CA
This pair of baluster lamps has a graceful vase-style silhouette. The pair came directly from the showroom floor. of a recent auction. They are ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Lighting
Materials
Brass
1920s Caldwell Neoclassical Gilt Bronze Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of 1920’s gilt bronze Caldwell neoclassical engraved sconces with two lights
Category
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Materials
Bronze
1920's Caldwell American Classical Double Light Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920's Caldwell double light sconces. Price per set
Category
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Materials
Bronze
1920's Caldwell Gilt Bronze Sconces with 2 Lights
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920's Caldwell gilt bronze sconces with two lights
Category
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Late 19th century Silver Plated Caldwell Lantern
Located in New York, NY
A circa late 19 centuru Caldwell silver plated lantern with 6 interior lights, from Waldorf Hotel in NYC
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Lighting
Materials
Bronze
French Gilt Bronze Bouillotte Lamp
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A splendid two Candle Bronze Bouillotte Lamp with replaced pleated shade, now electrified. Fine details including Acorn Finials, Beaded Candle Holders...
Category
Early 20th Century European Neoclassical Lighting
Materials
Bronze
1900's Large Neoclassic Silver Plated Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1900's probably Caldwell 30 lights Neoclassic silver plated bronze chandelier with beautiful details, original finish and patina
Category
Early 1900s American Antique Neoclassical Lighting
Materials
Bronze
1930's Leaded Glass Light Fixture
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1930's leaded glass light fixture with 2 interior lights
Category
1930s American Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Materials
Bronze
1920’s Silver Plated Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1920’s Caldwell silver plated chandelier with six lights
Category
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Materials
Silver Plate, Bronze
1900's Large Caldwell Gilt Bronze Neoclassic Chandelier with 30 lights
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1900's Caldwell 30 lights chandelier with Neoclassic design. (pair available)
Category
Early 1900s American Antique Neoclassical Lighting
Materials
Bronze
A Pair Of Neoclassical Cut Glass Wall Lights Attributed To Werner & Mieth
Located in Steyning, West sussex
The rare pair of Neoclassical wall lights, are suspended from ornate back plates with roman mofits, mounting a diamond cut container issuing three facet cut arms, supporting van-dyke...
Category
18th Century German Antique Neoclassical Lighting
Materials
Glass
1900’s Caldwell Leaded Glass Light Fixture
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1930’s Caldwell leaded glass light fixture with interior lights
Category
Early 1900s American Antique Neoclassical Lighting
Materials
Bronze
1920s Bronze Sunburst One Light Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1920's pair of Caldwell one light bronze sconces.
Category
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Materials
Bronze
1900's Silver Plated Neoclassic Chandelier with 16 lights
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1900's Neoclassic style two tiers 16 lights chandelier with Greek key design and black patina
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Lighting
Materials
Bronze
1900's Caldwell Gilt Bronze Chandelier with cherubs
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1900's Caldwell Neoclassic gilt bronze chandelier with cherubs atop and engraved body. Available pair, also in one chandelier in...
Category
Early 1900s American Antique Neoclassical Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Neoclassical lighting for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Neoclassical lighting for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage lighting created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include lighting, decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, bronze and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Neoclassical lighting made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original lighting, popular names associated with this style include Edward F. Caldwell & Co., Workstead, Maison Baguès, and Gherardo Degli Albizzi. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for lighting differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $140 and tops out at $240,000 while the average work can sell for $3,427.
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