Neoclassical Candlesticks
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.
1960s Vintage Neoclassical Candlesticks
Limestone, Brass
Mid-19th Century Unknown Antique Neoclassical Candlesticks
Bronze
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Candlesticks
Wood
20th Century Neoclassical Candlesticks
Bronze
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Candlesticks
Brass
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Candlesticks
Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Candlesticks
Sterling Silver
Early 1900s English Antique Neoclassical Candlesticks
Sterling Silver
1890s English Antique Neoclassical Candlesticks
Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Candlesticks
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Candlesticks
Brass
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Candlesticks
Wood
20th Century English Neoclassical Candlesticks
Ceramic, Stoneware
1860s English Antique Neoclassical Candlesticks
Brass
1890s English Antique Neoclassical Candlesticks
Sterling Silver
Late 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Candlesticks
Pewter
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Candlesticks
Bronze
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Candlesticks
Silver
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Candlesticks
Silver
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Candlesticks
Bronze
Early 1900s English Antique Neoclassical Candlesticks
Sterling Silver
1910s English Vintage Neoclassical Candlesticks
Sterling Silver
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Candlesticks
Silver Plate
Late 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Candlesticks
Pewter
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Candlesticks
Sterling Silver
1840s American Antique Neoclassical Candlesticks
Glass
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Candlesticks
Fabric, Wood
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Candlesticks
Crystal
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Candlesticks
Sterling Silver
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Candlesticks
Bronze
Early 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Candlesticks
Silver
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Candlesticks
Pewter
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Candlesticks
Wood
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Candlesticks
Wood
2010s Italian Neoclassical Candlesticks
Marble, Bronze
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Candlesticks
Bronze
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Candlesticks
Wood
Late 18th Century Polish Antique Neoclassical Candlesticks
Brass
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Candlesticks
Wood
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Candlesticks
Iron
20th Century French Neoclassical Candlesticks
Porcelain
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Candlesticks
Sterling Silver
1910s Vintage Neoclassical Candlesticks
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Candlesticks
Hardwood
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Candlesticks
Metal
1970s British Vintage Neoclassical Candlesticks
Metal, Silver Plate
1890s English Antique Neoclassical Candlesticks
Sterling Silver
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Candlesticks
Giltwood
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Candlesticks
Silver Leaf
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Candlesticks
Copper, Brass, Bronze
20th Century American Neoclassical Candlesticks
Metal
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Candlesticks
Bronze
Early 1900s Italian Antique Neoclassical Candlesticks
Metal
1950s Vintage Neoclassical Candlesticks
Glass
1780s English Antique Neoclassical Candlesticks
Sterling Silver
1970s European Vintage Neoclassical Candlesticks
Brass
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Candlesticks
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Candlesticks
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Candlesticks
Bronze, Enamel
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Candlesticks
Copper
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Candlesticks
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Candlesticks
Silver
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Candlesticks
Walnut
1820s Italian Antique Neoclassical Candlesticks
Silver