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.
$1,875 / set
Pair of Bronze Cherub Figural Candle Sconces
Located in Germantown, MD
Pair of Bronze Cherub Figural Candle Sconces. Measure 7" in width x 4" in depth x 12" in height.
Bronze
Large Pair Venetian Gilt & Polychromed Tole Candle Sconces Italy, circa 1890s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Large Pair of Venetian Gilt & Polychromed Tole Candle Sconces Italy, circa 1890s 26" H x 15" W x 9" D This impressive pair of late 19th-century Venetian wall sconces exemplifies th...
Wrought Iron
$3,975 / set
Pair of 18th Century Italian Polychrome Sconces
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of 18th century Italian polychrome sconces. Tall pair of antique Italian Neoclassical style carved wood polychrome sconces from Tuscany. These ...
Wood
Pair of Neoclassical Versace-style brass Medusa and lion head sconces
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Fabulous pair of Neoclassical candle sconces with Versace-style Medusa and lion heads. Cast iron in the manner of Gio Ponti and Tomaso Buzzi surrealist arrow motifs. Angled arms are ...
Brass
$7,450 / set
Pair of Antique French Mirrored Wall Sconces
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive pair of neoclassical 19th century French wall sconces crafted with a beveled mirrored backplate with reverse etched architectural designs and a perfectly aged oxidized fin...
Brass
Pair Antique Neoclassical Gilt Bronze w Patina Sconces 3 light Wall Candelabra
Located in Sweden, SE
Very Good stylish and fancy fine detail hand chased bronze and gold-plated (ormolu) sconces in the style of Neoclassicism (also known as Empire style). Made in 19th century in Contin...
Metal, Gold Plate, Brass, Bronze
Pair of Roman Neoclassical gilt and bronze candle sconces with arrow motif
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Fabulous pair of candle sconces with Neoclassical elements, handcrafted with a gilt and patinated bronze finish. The design features an arrow in the manner of Gio Ponti and Tomaso Bu...
Bronze
$16,494 / 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
Pair of Antique French Bronze Wall Candle Sconces with Lion Heads, ca. 1890
Located in Barntrup, DE
Pair of Antique Bronze French Double Arm Wall Candle Sconces with Lion Heads, ca. 1890. Elevate your interior with this distinguished pair of antique French wall candle sconces, cir...
Bronze
Group of Four Antique Italian Carved Wood Hand and Torchiere Wall Sconces
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Rare and remarkable group of four antique Italian wall sconces carved from a hardwood featuring a parcel gilt coat of arms style back plate supporting a painted arm with fist holding...
Tin
Antique Italian Carved Wood Lyre and Ribbon Parcel Gilt Wall Sconces
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Lofty pair of antique neo classic italian wall sconces with a musical flair, crafted in carved wood in a lyre motif with metal strings having carved and gilt ribbons and silvered aca...
Brass
Vintage Regency Polished Brass Hurricane Candle Sconces
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This stunning pair of vintage Regency wall sconces is a masterclass in architectural elegance and classic tailored design. Expertly crafted from solid brass with a brilliant high-pol...
Brass
$2,650 / set
Pair of Large Antique Giltwood Sconces
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of large antique giltwood sconces. Stunning pair of giltwood and gilt iron two-light candle sconces, circa 1920. These gorgeous Continen...
Iron
Pair of Neoclassical Quiver Themed Gilt Wall Sconces by Palladio
By Palladio
Located in Chicago, IL
A pair of elegant Italian wall sconces (for use with candles) that feature an ebonized center and parcel-gilt stem supporting two gilt metal candle arms adorned with detail in the st...
Metal
Set of Eight 19th Century Italian Cherub Candle Sconces
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Set of eight 19th Century Italian cast iron cherub candle sconces. With a rustic patina. Circa 1890.
Iron
English Adams Style Giltwood Girandole Wall Sconce
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th Century English Adams Style Giltwood Girandole Wall Sconce with Two Candle Holders. Sconce is richly decorated with refined classical motifs including ribbons, lures, and acanth...
Giltwood
Antique Drip-Proof Glass Saucers for Candlesticks, Set of Nine, 1990
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Drip-proof glass saucers for candlesticks or chandelier. In ancient times they were used to collect dripping was, now it is above all an ornament that completes a chandelier. ref. ...
Art Glass
Set of Neoclassical Style Gilt Bronze Wall Sconces by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
Decorative set of two large gilt bronze figural wall sconces by Gherardo Degli Albizzi. Female figure is characterized by a very rich veget...
Bronze
Vintage Pair of Wall Sconces with Fish and Seashells
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Lofty pair of wall sconces cast in composition in an unusual neoclassical grotto form with ribbons, fish and seashells having a silvered finish around distressed mirrors. Signed Carv...
Composition
$5,950 / set
Pair of 18th Century Italian Giltwood Sconces
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very unusual Italian sconces. Can easily be electrified. Overall excellent condition, but there are some minor losses of sequins and metal thread.
Iron, Metallic Thread
$1,648
H 17 in W 13.75 in D 7.5 in
19th Century French Empire Gilt Bronze Three-Light Sconce, Wall Candelabra
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
French Empire gilt bronze three-arm wall candleholder finely ornate with foliate, acorn motifs and three female faces, circa 1850-1870. This wall candelabra can easily be converted ...
Bronze
$385 / set
H 15 in W 12 in D 12 in
Pr Italian Silver Gilt Tole 4 Light Candelabra Candle Holder Lights Leaf & Swirl
Located in Clifton Forge, VA
A vintage pair of lovely and intentionally worn, warm Italian silver gilt 4 light candelabras with acanthus leaf and hollow swirl metalwork, they would add a decorative, classical to...
Metal, Silver Leaf
$8,950Sale Price|22% Off
H 24 in W 14 in D 7 in
Pair 19th Century French Empire Figural Bronze 2 Arm Wall Sconces Sothebys
Located in Roslyn, NY
A pair of very fine 19th century French empire doré bronze figural two-arm sconces. The left facing figure is of a woman, and countering her is the right facing man. Provenance to...
Bronze
$4,759 / set
H 22.45 in W 13 in D 7.09 in
Set of Neoclassical Style Gilt Bronze Wall Sconces by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
Decorative set of two large gilt bronze figural wall sconces by Gherardo Degli Albizzi. Female figure is characterized by a very rich veget...
Bronze
Antique Gilt Bronze Candelabra with Granite Bases, Pair
Located in Miami, FL
Antique gilt bronze candelabra with granite bases, pair Offered for sale is a pair of antique bronze and gilt bronze candelabras presented upon granite bases. Each of the candelab...
Granite, Bronze
Pair of Los Castillo Brass and Copper Candle Sconces
By Los Castillo
Located in Pawtucket, RI
A rare pair of Los Castillo candle sconces in copper with swirling inlaid brass design, Taxco, Mexico. Signed.
Brass, Copper
Pair of Charles X Gilt Bronze, Four-Light Candelabras
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of gilt-bronze candelabras each with a tapering leaf-tip cast stem supporting three foliate carved candle branches with detachable nozzles and a reeded stem raised on a triparti...
Bronze
$1,750Sale Price|20% Off
H 11.13 in Dm 4.63 in
Pair of 19th Century French Brass Neoclassical Candlesticks
Located in Pembroke, MA
A pair of very finely-chased French brass candlesticks, circa 1870 in the neoclassical style (could be electrified as table lamps). Bases are decorated with rose vines.
Brass
Hollywood Regency Iron And Tole Candle Sconce
Located in Tampa, FL
An exquisite pair of iron and tole Hollywood Regency candle sconces featuring intricate detailing and a timeless design, these sconces bring elegance and charm to any wall.
Iron
$995 / set
H 15 in W 15.5 in D 9 in
Pair of Mid-Century Italian Tole Wildflowers Floral Candle Sconces
Located in Pearland, TX
A lovely pair of vintage Italian tole two-arm candle sconces with hand painted pastel wildflowers, scrolling green leaves, and gilt accents, circa 1950. They retain their original su...
Tôle
Pair of Sterling Silver Neoclassical-Style Column-Form Candlesticks
Located in New York, NY
Pair of sterling silver, Neoclassical-Style, column-form candlesticks, Empire Silversmiths Co., New York, Ca. 1960's. Each candlestick measures 5 1/2 inches high x 3 inches wide (at ...
Sterling Silver
Vintage Mirrored Wall Candle Sconces
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A matching pair of vintage wall hanging candle sconces mounted on oval mirrors. Each mirror features a clear rope twist glass border with softly aged glass showing light spotting. A ...
Metal
Louis XVI Style Gilt Metal Twin Light Appliques, 2
Located in Astoria, NY
Pair of Louis XVI Style Gilt Metal Twin Light Appliques, early 20th century, each with entwined branch and ribbon decoration, centered by an oval medallion of a female playing pipes....
Metal
Sold
H 24 in W 15 in D 11 in
Pair Mid-Century Neoclassical Italian Black & Gold Giltwood Arrow Candle Sconces
Located in Pearland, TX
A gorgeous pair of Italian Neoclassical style ebonized and gilded wood and tole three-arm candle sconces, circa 1950. "Made in Italy" mark on reverse. These stunning candelabras are ...
Tôle
Pair of Louis XVI Style Gilded Two Light Sconces 2
Located in Astoria, NY
Pair of Louis XVI style gilded two light wall sconces, each with urns en flambeau above acanthus cast and garland hung supports. Dealer: S138XX
Cast Stone
Sold
H 23.5 in W 10.5 in D 5.5 in
Pair Decorative Crafts Inc. Neoclassical Brass Two Arm Candle Sconces
Located in West Chester, PA
Pair of heavy solid brass finely detailed two arm candle sconces handmade by Decorative Crafts Inc. featuring vertical feathered arrow or spear with a lions head holding the decorati...
Brass
Sold
H 24.25 in W 11 in D 7 in
Pair of Mid-20th C. Neoclassical Italian Black & Gold Giltwood Candle Sconces
Located in Pearland, TX
A gorgeous pair of Italian neoclassical style ebonized and gilded wood and tole two-arm candle sconces. "Made in Italy" mark on reverse. These stunning candelabras are black with gol...
Tôle
Vintage Brass Neoclassical Style Candle Sconce
Located in Elkhart, IN
A gorgeous Neoclassical style brass candle sconce. Circa mid-20th century. Measures: 9.5" W x 4.25" D x 14.13" H. Very good vintage condition.
Brass
Vintage Brass Neoclassical Style Candle Sconces, a Pair
Located in Elkhart, IN
A gorgeous pair of Neoclassical style brass candle sconces Circa Mid-20th Century Measures: 9.5"W x 5..5"D x 14"H. Very good vintage condition.
Brass
Pair Of Neoclassical Style Swan Form Candelabra Sconces
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Highly decorative Swan Form Candle Sconces in all original condition. Ornate double arm candelabra sconces with urn form sockets and stylish swan supports. With acanthus leaf finials...
Brass
Sold
H 16 in W 13 in D 9 in
19th Century French Neoclassical Two-Armed Gilt Bronze Candle Sconce Candelabra
Located in Vero Beach, FL
19th Century French Neoclassical two-armed gilt bronze candle sconce candelabra. Elegant 19th Century French Neoclassical two-armed gilt bronze sconce is rich in decorative elemen...
Bronze
Four Classical Gilded Bronze Wall Lights, 19th Century
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality set of four classical gilded ormolu wall lights / sconces. Each with wonderful shield back plates with scrolling foliate and swag decoration, two branch sconces w...
Ormolu
Pair of Painted Wood and Metal Georgian Style Wall Sconces
Located in Toronto, ON
These tall and elegant two light neoclassical candle sconces are beautifully painted in a soft blue grey with a classical printed Wedgewood like motif inset that is original to the s...
Wood
Pair of Neoclassical 19th Century Wall Candleholders
Located in Weesp, NL
Gorgeous pair of patinated brass neoclassical candle sconces from an old Dutch 19th century mansion. each candleholder holds three candles. Each candle holder has initials on it. One...
Brass