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.
$1,042Sale Price / set|43% Off
Pair 18th Century Italian Neoclassical Giltwood Candleholders, Circa 1780-1800
Located in Buisson, FR
Great pair of wooden candleholders with their original gilding. Very nice type candleholder and rare to find in a pair. Italy, circa 1780-1800. Weathered, old repair Measurements inc...
Wood
$308Sale Price / set|55% Off
Pair of Late 18th Century French Neoclassical Pewter Candleholders
Located in Buisson, FR
Lovely pair of pewter candle holders with a beautiful patine. France circa 1780. Weathered condition with minor losses.
Pewter
Pair of Eleven-Light Silvered Bronze Large Figural Candelabra
Located in Barcelona, ES
Pair of Large Candelabra in Silvered Bronze Neoclassical silvered bronze figural candelabra with 11-light. England, 19th century. This magnificent pair of candelabra features a masc...
Silver, Bronze
19th Century Pair of Parisian Engraved Candle Holders
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
An exceptionally fine pair of silver-plated candlesticks by renowned silversmiths Cailar Bayard. Founded in Paris by Noël Cailar and Pierre Bayard, the firm produced top-notch silver...
Silver Plate
Doré Bronze French Neoclassical Candelabra
Located in New Orleans, LA
This outstanding pair of French Second Empire candelabra exemplifies the grandeur and exuberance of this decorative era. Expertly crafted of doré bronze and white marble, these light...
Marble, Bronze
Neoclassical, Style Continental Silver '.835' Chamber Stick
Located in New York, NY
Neoclassical, continental silver (.835) chamber stick, Austria, circa 1900. Measures 4 1/2 inches high x 4 1/4 inches diameter. Weighs 7.380 troy ounces....
Sterling Silver
Pair of Small 18th Century Italian Neoclassical Candleholders / Candlesticks
Located in Buisson, FR
Unique small pair of neoclassical wooden candleholders with their old gilding, Italy, circa 1760-1780. Weathered, small losses and old repairs. Measurement each.
Wood
$442Sale Price / set|41% Off
Two Historistic Candleholder
Located in Wien, Au
Two historic candleholder. Polished and stove enamelled.
Brass
$275Sale Price|21% Off
Clear Glass Crystal Candlesticks
Located in Ferndale, MI
Pair of low crystal glass candlesticks.
Glass
$10,350 / set
19th Century French Gilded Candelabra
By Henri Picard
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Pair of French gilded candelabras. Matched pair except one having a male hunter in bronze at base and the other a female hunter in bronze at base. In...
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
Pair of Italian Neoclassical Carved Candleholders
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of late 18th century Italian giltwood candleholders. Central carved urn form flanked by Greek key forms. Made to fit against the wall, late 18th century, Italy.
Wood
$822Sale Price|30% Off
H 6.7 in Dm 3.94 in
Antique Pair of Candle Holder Silver Rococo Style Candlesticks, 1937s Home Decor
Located in Wembley, GB
Pair of Silver Candlesticks by C.G. Hallberg Rococo Style, Sweden 1937 A scarce and elegant pair of antique silver-plated Rococo-style candlesticks by the renowned Swedish silversmi...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Silver
$3,493 / set
H 30 in W 13 in D 6 in
Pair 19th c Italian Neoclassic Urn-Carved Candelabras w/5 Candle Pricket Holders
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Italian pair of Neoclassical style five light candelabras from the 19th century. These antique candle holders from Italy are have gesso and silvered/gilt over a carved wood base i...
Iron
Antique Doré Bronze Putto Candelabra on Marble Base, France, 1870s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Antique doré bronze candelabra of cherub on marble base. Holds four candles.
Marble, Bronze
Candleholders Italian Tall Rococo Period 18th Century, Italy
Located in New York, NY
A pair of candleholders made during the Rococo period in Italy. Decorated with carvings and hand painted in silvery gold color and light coral red.
Wood
Pair of American Tiffany Sterling Silver Monkey Candlesticks
Located in Southampton, NY
Pair of American Tiffany sterling silver monkey candlesticks.
$16,500 / set
H 27 in W 13 in D 12 in
Pair of Regency Gilt and Patinated Bronze Atlas Figural Candelabra
By Messenger & Phipson
Located in Essex, MA
Pair of Regency or William IV figural candelabra in form of Atlas and a globe. Six arms issuing from top. Patinated bronze, gilded bronze and bronze. A truly rare from. Attributed to...
Bronze
Small Silver Chamber Candle Stick
Located in Delft, NL
A small silver chamber candle stick with a separate candle extinguisher, which is hung with a hook. With slide in the stem to raise the candle. ...
Silver
$775Sale Price / item|30% Off
H 8.27 in W 4.73 in D 4.73 in
Pair of Candle Holder Sterling Silver Antique Rococo Style Candlesticks, 1937s
Located in Wembley, GB
An exquisite pair of antique Rococo-style silver candlesticks by the distinguished Swedish silversmith C.G. Hallberg, Stockholm, circa 1937. Each piece is pressed, cast, and finely c...
Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver
$8,850Sale Price / set|70% Off
H 9.75 in Dm 5.5 in
Pair of Sterling Silver Cymric Candlesticks, Archibald Knox for Liberty and Co
Located in CHARLESTON, SC
Exceedingly Rare and Important pair of Museum quality old English sterling silver Cymric candlesticks. Exceptional example of silver from the Art...
Sterling Silver
Pair of French Bronze Candelabras, Neoclassical Design, 1920
Located in Barntrup, DE
Elegant early 20th-century French bronze candelabras with classical symmetry and refined patina. A refined pair of French bronze candelabras from the early 20th century, embodying t...
Bronze
Pair of French Crystal and Bronze Doré Two-Light Candelabra
By Baccarat
Located in Cincinnati, OH
This graceful pair of French crystal candelabra features tall, tapered spike-form finials with paneled sides. The pieces have scrolling bronz...
Crystal, Bronze
$1,661 / set
H 18.5 in W 17 in D 17 in
Pair 19th Century Silver Plate 5-Light Candelabra convertible Candle Holders
Located in Germantown, MD
Pair Antique English Silver Plate 5-Light Candelabra Candle Holders. Convertible Measuring 17" in width, 17" in depth and 18.5" in height.
Silver Plate
Historistic Candle Holder Vienna around 1890s
Located in Wien, Au
Historistic candle holder Vienna around 1890s Brass polished and stove enamelled.
Brass
Sold
H 29.25 in W 20.75 in D 20.75 in
Pair of Silver Neoclassical Candelabra by Robinson, Edkins & Aston
By Robinson, Edkins, & Aston
Located in New Orleans, LA
This extraordinary pair of silver six-light candelabra was crafted by the celebrated luxury silver manufacturers Robinson, Edkins & Aston. Executed in the Neoclassical style, these c...
Silver
Pair of Bohemian Glass Lustres
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair fine pair of bohemian green crystal lustres with gold detail. Crystal Octagons & Prisms. circa, 1890. Height 16 x diameter 7 1/4 inches. CW5132.
Glass
Sold
H 16.93 in W 5.91 in D 4.73 in
Couple of Late 18th Century Italian Neoclassical Giltwood Candleholders
Located in Buisson, FR
Great pair of wooden candleholders with their original gilding. Very nice type candleholder and rare to find in a pair. Italy, circa 1780-1800. Weathered, small losses.
Wood
Couple of 18th Century Italian Neoclassical Silvered Candlesticks
Located in Buisson, FR
Great pair of neoclassical candleholders with their original silver. They are made out of wood and iron. Italy, circa 1770-1800. Weathered and small losses.
Iron
Sold
H 23.04 in W 5.91 in D 5.52 in
Couple of Late 18th Century Italian Neoclassical Giltwood Candleholders
Located in Buisson, FR
Great pair of wooden candleholders with their original gilding Very nice type candleholder and rare to find in a pair. Italy, circa 1780-1800. Weathered, small losses and old repa...
Giltwood
18th Century Italian Neoclassical Carved Wooden Candleholder
Located in Buisson, FR
Wonderful neoclassical carved wooden candleholder with iron top. Italy, circa 1760-1780. Weathered.
Iron
18th Century Italian Neoclassical Giltwood Candleholder
Located in Buisson, FR
Beautiful neoclassical giltwood candleholder. Italy, circa 1760-1780. Weathered, small losses and old repairs.
Wood
Sold
H 48 in Dm 17.5 in
Pair of Large 19th Century Cast Iron Neoclassical Torcheres or Tall Candlesticks
Located in Middleburg, VA
Pair of large 19th century French neoclassical torcheres or tall candlesticks. Made in the “Empire” style with neoclassical urns above fleeted columns on a tripod base and winged gri...
Iron
Pair of 18th Century Italian Neoclassical Candleholders
Located in Buisson, FR
Unique and pair of neoclassical wooden candleholders with traces of gilding, Italy, circa 1760-1780. Weathered, small losses and old repairs. Measurement each.
Wood
Pair of Antique Marble Prickett Form Candlesticks
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A pair of solid white marble antique Italian pricket candlesticks, last quarter 19th Century 21.5 inches tall including the top spike.
Marble
Sold
H 10.75 in W 4.25 in D 4.25 in
Very Rare Pair of 18th Century Candle-Gripping Bell Metal Candlesticks, Ca. 1775
By James Tate of Birmingham
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A very rare pair of 18th century neoclassical bell-metal candlesticks fitted with a unique candle gripping mechanism developed & patented by James Tate of Birmingham in 1775. Both showing flaring squared columns with hand embossed honeysuckle motifs, rising to tulip-shaped sockets with flaring drip pans that rotate and activate 3 horizontal flanges that grip a variety of different sized candles (one mechanism seized). Both raised overall on squared stepped basses bearing partially rubbed marks presumably for James Tate, together with the word PATENT within a wavy rectangular cartouche. Both also retaining their original push-rod candle ejectors. It is well established as referenced by Ronald Michaelis in his book titled ‘Old Domestic Base Metal Candlesticks’, that very few antique bronze or brass candlesticks bear a maker’s mark, perhaps only one in a thousand. Both exhibit an exceptional warm pinkish hue due to the high ratio of copper used in...
Other