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.
Pair of Gorham Sterling Silver Weighted Candleholders
By Gorham
Located in Pasadena, TX
These candleholders are made by The Gorham Silver Co. They are weighted with cement and are well designed. They are stamped on the underside.
Silver
Wedgwood blue and white jasperware candlestick
By Wedgwood
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
A fine Wedgwood jasperware candlestick, neoclassical style item decorated with white antique-style characters and trees on a sky-blue backgroun...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Vintage Regency Twisted Brass Candlesticks - A Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Elevate your interior with this exquisite pair of Vintage Regency Twisted Brass Candlesticks. These elegant pieces capture the timeless sophistication of the Regency era, featuring b...
Brass
Neoclassical George III Period Pair of Candlesticks - Hallmarked in 1790
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in Sheffield in 1790 by John Parsons & Co., this handsome pair of George III period, Antique Sterling Silver Candlesticks, are in the neoclassical style, with bright cut e...
Sterling Silver
Tiffany & Co. Hand-Crafted Clear Crystal Candlesticks, USA
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Pair of Tiffany & Co. Clear Crystal Candlesticks. A gorgeous pair of crystal candlesticks By Tiffany & Co., New York, USA. Austria, Late 20th Century Measures: 4.5"W x 4.5"D ...
Crystal
Pair of 19th Century Italian Painted Wood Altar Pricket with Heraldic Shields
Located in Dallas, TX
Add a touch of ecclesiastical charm to your decor with this striking pair of antique pricket candlesticks. Hand-carved in Italy circa 1860...
Wood
George III Sterling Silver Pair of Candlesticks, John Winter & Co, 1781
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in Sheffield in 1781 by John Winter & Co., this elegant pair of antique George III sterling silver candlesticks feature tapering fluted columns. Each column is accented wi...
Sterling Silver
Pair of 19th Century English Sheffield Candlesticks
Located in Los Angeles, CA
In excellent condition. Iron weighted.
Silver Plate, Copper, Iron
$1,200 / set
Pair of Large Brass Altar Candlesticks
Located in New York, NY
Lovely pair of large brass Altar Candlesticks. Adorned with classical embellishments, a pair of winged cherubs at the base, and on paw feet. Perfect for an...
Brass
Neoclassical Column Candlesticks Holders, Pair
Located in New York, NY
A vintage pair of white ceramic matte 'column' candlestick holders in the Neoclassical style, circa 1960s-1970s. Made in Portugal. Both marked on bottom as shown in last image. Dimen...
Ceramic
$1,750Sale Price|20% Off
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
Antique Candle Holder in Cast Spelter with Putto Late 19th Century
Located in Tilburg, NL
Antique Cast Spelter Candle Holder with Putto, Europe, late 19th century. This ornate candle holder features a finely cast putto figure seated at the base, supporting an elegantly t...
Spelter
PIr of Antique Silver Candlesticks, Diana Silver, Vienna 19th Century
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you sill find a pair of silver candlesticks. They feature neoclassical design, shaped as Greek columns. Each has two hallmarks for Austro-Hungarian silver standard, w...
Silver
Antique Italian Hand-Carved Wood Candlestick in Old Paint and Finish
Located in Highwood, IL
Antique 18th century Italian painted and carved wood candlestick, with a few hints of gilding still remaining. There are small patches of the ...
Wood, Gesso, Paint
$1,080Sale Price / set|20% Off
Gorham Neoclassical Corinthian Column Candlesticks for Broadmoor Hotel
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in West Hollywood, CA
These Broadmoor Hotel Neoclassical Corinthian Column Candlesticks, are a true masterpiece of craftsmanship and design. These candlesticks were made in 1914 using electroplated metalw...
Silver
Pair of Massive Continental Altar Sticks Electrified as Torchere
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Elaborate pair of antique cast brass altar sticks which were electrified at a later time. Very solid feeling with ornate decoration and each with triple sockets. The sockets are swiv...
Brass
A Fine Pair of Carved Limewood and Gilt Torcheres, Italian Circa 1780
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
A very fine pair of carved limewood and gilt torcheres, Italian circa 1780 Height: 112 cm Diameter: 25cm Provenance: Private Australian Collection.
Hardwood
Pair of Worn Silver Plate Candlesticks (3 Pairs Available)
Located in London, GB
These very decorative candlesticks were made in England in the 1970s. They are neoclassic in style and crafted with silver plate - they are worn in some areas. Please do take a look...
Metal, Silver Plate
Antique Neoclassical Carved Chimera Candle Holders, 20th Century
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of neoclassical style mythological carved wooden candle holders / bookends in the shape of chimeras holding a candle stick in one hand on ste...
Wood
Italian Baroque Giltwood Altar Candlestick, 18th Century Column Form
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Baroque (18th Century) monumental altar candlestick in a columnar form with carved detail and a gilt finish and having 5 lower candle holders (flat on back). Losses to wood ...
Wood, Giltwood
Set of a Pair of Closionne Candlesticks and a Picture Frame, France, circa 1890
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Set of a pair of closionne candlesticks and a picture frame. France, circa 1890. Picture frame dimensions: 35 cm height, 22 cm width, 2 cm depth. Candlestick dimensions: 18 cm he...
Enamel
Neoclassical Style Marble, Gilt and Patinated Bronze Candelabra by Barbedienne
Located in London, GB
The leading bronze manufactory of the French Belle Époque, Barbedienne, is responsible for the design of these exquisite candelabra. The Barbedienne foundry was established in 1838 b...
Marble, Bronze
Pair (2) Antique Bronze Candlesticks by Ferdinand Barbedienne, Neoclassical.
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair (2) Antique Bronze Candlesticks by Ferdinand Barbedienne, Neoclassical. Signed These are antique French candlesticks made of patinated bronze, signed "Barbedienne," dating from...
Bronze
$275Sale Price|21% Off
Clear Glass Crystal Candlesticks
Located in Ferndale, MI
Pair of low crystal glass candlesticks.
Glass
$880Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair Rock Crystal Candlesticks
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of bronze dore and rock crystal candlesticks.
Bronze
Pair of George III Neo Classical Candlesticks by John Winter & Company, 1775
Located in London, GB
A very unusual pair of George III Neo Classical Candlesticks made in Sheffield in 1775 by John Winter & Company. The Candlesticks display a square base decorated with a band of rais...
Silver
Pair Italian Silvered Metal Urn-Form Pricket Candleholders, 1st quarter 19th c.
Located in Atlanta, GA
Each fluted Campana-from urn with a removable bobeche below a pricket, the urns raised on socle bases with internal wooden frames
Metal
Pair of 18th Century Neoclassical Painted and Gilded Candlesticks with Hoof Feet
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of Italian neoclassical period painted and gilded candlesticks from the 18th century, with fluted motifs and hoof feet. Created in Italy during the later years of the 18th cen...
Wood
Pair of neoclassical bronze candelabra with eagle
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Pair of neoclassical bronze candelabra with eagle Bronze candelabra with black and green patina Circa 1930 Origin France Excellent condition without restorations Some wear due to use...
Bronze
George III period pair of sterling silver candlesticks - hallmarked in 1792
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in Sheffield in 1792 by John Parsons & Co., this handsome pair of George III period, Antique Sterling Silver Candlesticks, are round in shape, and feature reed detailing, ...
Sterling Silver
Pair of George III Tapersticks made by J. Hoyland & Company, Sheffield, 1774
Located in London, GB
A very rare pair of George III Neo Classical Tapersticks made in Sheffield in 1774 by J. Hoyland & Company. This is the first time we have seen this design of Neo Classical Tapersti...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Pair of 19th Century French Doré Bronze Candlesticks
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unusual and very finely chased. Caryatid motif. Doré bronze.
Bronze
19th Century Dutch Silver Floral Repousse Candle Sticks (Pair)
Located in West Hollywood, CA
19th Century Silver Dutch Candlesticks Sourced by Martyn Lawrence Bullard from London, England Fitted with hallmark, and etched floral motif
Silver
Neoclassical Style Gilt Bronze and Marble Candlestick by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This little neoclassical style gilt bronze and marble candlestick by Gherardo Degli Albizzi would be ideal to be placed on a bedside table. Even if it features classical shape, overa...
Marble, Lapis Lazuli, Bronze
$1,824Sale Price|20% Off
Pair of Gilded Bronze Candlesticks from French Restauration Era
Located in 263-0031, JP
A pair of candlesticks in chiselled fire-gilt bronze from the French Empire or early Restauration Era. The pair, exemplifying the neoclassical iconography so popular in the Napoleoni...
Bronze
Pair of 19th Century French Bronze and Marble Figural Candelabras
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Finely chased figures of boy and girl. The bases re 4" x 4".
Marble, Bronze
$2,300Sale Price|20% Off
Robust Italian Neoclassical Ivory Painted and Parcel-Gilt Candleholder
Located in San Francisco, CA
Of cornucopia form with flared candleholder tapering to a scrolled end; adorned with florets and acanthus leaves all-over a later ebonized wooden plinth; ex-collection of Michael Tay...
Wood
Pair of Candlesticks or Candleholders, Bronze, 18th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair of candlesticks. Bronze, 18th century. Pair of bronze candlesticks, which still maintain a strong influence of Spanish Baroque models, especially in the turned axis, with promin...
Bronze
Pair of English Neoclassical Style Silver Candlesticks by Edward Barnard & Sons
Located in London, GB
Pair of English Neoclassical style silver candlesticks by Edward Barnard & Sons English, 1919 Height 13cm, diameter 16cm This elegant pair of candlesticks, crafted by the esteemed E...
Silver
Pair of Bronze and Marble Candelabras, France, 19th Century
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Pair of bronze and marble candelabras, France, 19th century.
Marble, Bronze
Large Pair of South American/Mexican Dore Bronze 18th Century Candleholders
Located in New York, NY
A pair of neoclassical monumental finely cast and chased dore bronze early 18th century south American/Mexican single light candleholders. These are a monumental pair of candle holde...
Bronze
Lovely pair of candle holders by Maison Lancel in ceramic
Located in NICE, FR
This exquisite pair of ceramic candle holders, signed "Lancel Paris Made in Italy" on the base, embodies refined craftsmanship and delicate artistry. Designed in the shape of bloomin...
Ceramic
Silver Candlestcik or Candle Holder, Francesc P. Arquer, Barcelona, circa 1825
Located in Madrid, ES
Candlestick with chain. Silver. Francesc P. Arquer, Barcelona, Spain, circa 1825. With contrast, derisive and proprietary (AS) marks. Silver candlestick in its color with an openwo...
Silver
$3,125 / set
Pair of Italian Giltwood Alter Sticks
Located in Vista, CA
Fourth quarter 19th century, in the neoclassical taste, the baluster-form standards decorated with acanthus leaves and fitted with flaring drip pans and pricket candle holders, raise...
Giltwood
pair of French 19th century Neo-Classical st. Ormolu and Crystal candlesticks
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and most decorative pair of French 19th century Neo-Classical st. Ormolu and Crystal candlesticks. Each charming candlestick is raised on foliate Ormolu bun feet below a l...
Crystal, Ormolu
Pair of French 19th Century Neo-Classical St. White Carrara Marble Candlesticks
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exquisite pair of French 19th century neo-classical st. ormolu, patinated bronze and white Carrara marble candlesticks. The pair are each raised by a circular base with a moulded ...
Carrara Marble, Ormolu