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 Antique Neoclassical Style Corinthian Column Gilt Bronze Candle Holders
Located in New York, NY
Pair Neoclassical style Corinthian column form gilt bronze candle holders Late 19th- Early 20th Century Attractive, well detailed Corinthian column capitals with reeded column bodies...
Bronze
Pair of Sterling Silver Neo-Classical-Style Column-Form Candlesticks
By Fordham & Faulkner
Located in New York, NY
Pair of sterling silver, Edwardian Period, Neoclassical-Style, column-form candlesticks, made in the city of Sheffield, England, year hallmarked for 1911, Fordham and Faulkner - make...
Sterling Silver
Pair of Victorian Period Sterling Silver Neoclassical-Style Column Candlesticks
Located in New York, NY
Lovely pair of Victorian Period, sterling silver, Neoclassical-style, column-form candlesticks, Sheffield, England, year hallmarked for 1889, James Kebberling Bembridge (of Hawkeswor...
Sterling Silver
Pair of Tall Sterling Silver Neoclassical-Style Candlesticks
By Whiting Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Pair of tall, sterling silver, Neoclassical candlesticks, produced by the Whiting Mfg. Co. (when it temporarily merged with the Gorham Mfg. Co. in the 1920's), Providence, Rhode Isla...
Sterling Silver
Pair of Neoclassical Sterling Silver Column candlesticks
Located in New York, NY
Pair of sterling silver, Neoclassical-Style, square based column candlesticks, American, Ca. 1930's. Each candlestick measures 7 1/8 inches high x 3 inches wide (at widest point acro...
Sterling Silver
Tall Sterling Corinthian Column Candlesticks Sheffield, 1899 William Hutton
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Elegant Pair of Tall Sterling Silver Corinthian Column Candlesticks by William Hutton & Sons, Sheffield, 1899 An impressive pair of 9" tall sterling silver candlesticks...
Sterling Silver
$1,312Sale Price / set|30% Off
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
Set of 4 English Georgian Neoclassical Pillar Candlesticks, 1779
By William Abdy II
Located in New York, NY
Set of 4 George III sterling silver candlesticks. Made by William Abdy in London in 1779. Each: Urn socket with detachable bobeche; tapering pillar on stepped and raised foot. Low re...
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
$1,861Sale Price / set|51% Off
Pair of 18th Century Italian Neoclassical Altar Candleholders
Located in Buisson, FR
Unique and large pair of neoclassical altar candleholders with traces of their original silver and gold, Italy, circa 1760-1780. Weathered, small losses and old repairs. Measurement ...
Wood
$682Sale Price / set|50% Off
Collection Of 3 Late 18th Century Italian Neoclassical Candleholders
Located in Buisson, FR
Lovely collection of 3 wooden candleholders with traces of their original silver and color. Very nice type candleholder and rare to find in a group. Italy, circa 1780-1800. Weathere...
Wood
$797Sale Price / set|41% Off
Pair of Italian Neoclassical Silvered Wooden Candlesticks, Circa 1750
Located in Buisson, FR
Great pair of wooden candleholders with their beautiful silver leaf gilding. Italy, circa 1750-1800. Weathered small losses and old repairs. Measurements are individual. H:39cm W:1...
Silver Leaf
$340Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Roseville Zephir Lily Candle Stick Holders in Bermuda Blue, 1946
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Pair of Roseville Pottery ceramic candle stick holders in the Zephyr Lily pattern on blue background are marked with molded "Roseville U.S.A. 1163 4 ½" on the bottoms. Zephir Lily p...
Ceramic, Pottery
Circa 1860 Pair of English Brass Push-Rod Candlesticks
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1860 pair of brass push-rod candlesticks, English. Inverted beehive design. Lack push-discs. Square, cut-corner bases. 9.75" x 3 5/8" sq. We are a family business that has bee...
Brass
Pair Exotic French 19th Century Figural Gilt and Patinated Bronze Candelabras
Located in New York, NY
Pair of large and finest quality exotic orientalist motif French 19th century figural gilt and patinated bronze Candelabras on original marble bases.
Bronze
$1,062Sale 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
$682Sale Price|50% Off
Italian Neoclassical Gilded Wooden Candleholder, Circa 1780-1800
Located in Buisson, FR
Great wooden candleholder with its original gilding. Original period piece and rare to find. Italy, circa 1780-1800. Weathered and small losses. Measurements include the metal peak ...
Wood
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 x 8.5"H....
Crystal
Pair of 18th Century Italian Silver Gilt Wood Pricket Candlesticks
Located in Pearland, TX
A stunning pair of antique 18th-Century Italian silvered wood tripod pricket altar candlesticks. These gorgeous cathedral candlesticks are a nice large size, silver gilded and ornate...
Wood
$171Sale Price|30% Off
French Neolcassical Cast Bronze Boy w Torch Figural Candle Holder Statue 19"
Located in Dayton, OH
French Neoclassical cast bronze candlestick holder / candelabra featuring Art Nouveau styling with the figure of a young boy holding a torchiere above his head, on an ornate base. D...
Bronze
Tiffany & Co. Antique Neoclassical Silverplate Candlesticks, Pair
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of antique Neoclassical or Victorian silver soldered candlesticks By Tiffany & Co. (each signed to the underside) USA, Circa Late 19th Century Each measures: 3.5"W...
Silver Plate
Nineteenth Century Gilt Bronze Candelabra Pair, French or Russian
Located in Milano, IT
Pair of thirteen-flame candelabra France or Russia Second quarter of 19th century Cast, chiseled and gilt bronze Height 40.95 in (cm 104), diameter 17,7 in (cm 45) 97 lb (44 kg) Sta...
Ormolu
$380Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Neoclassical Brass Candelabra with Four Arms
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage brass candelabra in Neoclassical style features four figurative sculptural arms and heavy, stable round base. Each candle holder except for the central one is fitted with a b...
Bronze, Metal
$8,850Sale Price / set|70% Off
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
19th Century Italian Silver Gilt Neoclassical Hand-Carved Candlesticks
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Pair of 19-century Italian silver gilt candlesticks standing on a tripod-footed base with iron prickets that represents a luxurious blend of elegance and practicality, characterist...
Silver Leaf
$721Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Italian Bronze Cherub Candleholders, mid-20th Century
Located in Turku, Finland
Elegant and beautifully detailed pair of Italian bronze candleholders depicting winged cherubs in dynamic, uplifting poses. Each figure stands gracefully on an ornate, sculptural bas...
Bronze
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
Large Pair of Neoclassical Sterling Silver Column-Form Candlesticks
Located in New York, NY
Large pair of Neoclassical (made in the Victorian Period), sterling silver column-form candlesticks, Sheffield, England, year-hallmarked for 1898, Henry Wigful - maker. Each candlestick measures 11 1/6 inches high x 5 1/4 inches deep x 5 1/4 inches wide. Columns are swirled in design. The capital of each column is designed with acanthus leaves. The base of each candlestick is decorated with profiles of the Green Man (a good luck symbol...
Sterling Silver
Tall Pair of Sterling Silver Neoclassical-Style Corinthian Column Candlesticks
Located in New York, NY
Very tall pair of Neoclassical-style, sterling silver, Corinthian Column-form candlesticks, Birmingham, England, year-hallmarked for 1967, William A. Humphries, Ltd. - maker. Each ca...
Sterling Silver
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
Pair of Antique Giltwood Candlesticks with Paw Feet, Neoclassical Style
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A refined pair of antique giltwood candlesticks showcasing elegant Neoclassical influence. Each candlestick features a tall, tapered column rising from a triangular base supported by...
Giltwood
18th Century Pair Wedgwood Black Basalt Ware Triton Candlesticks
Located in Asheville, NC
Etruria, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England, 1780-1795, hollow-molded basalt stoneware, each mirror-formed triton figure depicted holding a whirlpool-handled torch with floriform capital, kneeling upon a flora-covered bolder, respectively impressed underneath "Wedgwood" and "WEDGWOOD," tallest 11 in. A similar pair were exhibited in 2020 at the Mint Museum in Charlotte, North Carolina, and are illustrated on page 140 of the accompanying literature, "Classic Black: The Basalt Sculpture of Wedgwood...
Stoneware
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
$840Sale Price / set|55% Off
Pair of Gilt Bronze Neoclassical Candlesticks 19th Century
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A pair of very finely-chiselled French gilt bronze candlesticks crafted in the neoclassical style. The decoration is extremely intricate, particularly on the circular base and tulip-...
Bronze
18th Century Neoclassical Dore and Patinated Bronze Two Light Putti Candelabra
Located in New York, NY
Fine pair of Dore and patinated bronze figural putti 18th century two light candelabra on original Saint Anne marble plinths. Each individually modelled as ...
Marble, Bronze
Pair of Monumental Gilt Bronze and Glass Floor Standing Candelabra
Located in London, GB
Pair of monumental gilt bronze and glass floor standing candelabra Crafted in the neoclassical style, this pair of floor-standing candelab...
Ormolu, Bronze
Ornate Neoclassical Bronze Candle Holders, Italian, Early 20th Century
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These candleholders are a pair of ornate classical style bronze pieces. They feature a design with a fluted top section and a rounded urn like shape in the center. The holders are su...
Bronze
$1,280Sale Price|20% Off
Russian Neoclassic Bronze and Ormolu Candlestick Lamp
Located in Essex, MA
Originally one of a pair of figural candlesticks. Finely cast and chased with a candleholder now fitted with a two light modern fixture. T...
Other
$380Sale Price / set|20% Off
Neoclassical Column Dark Green Marble Brass Candlesticks Holders, Pair
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful pair of small well-made column pillar dark green and black marble candlestick holders with brass top, in the Neoclassical design ...
Marble, Brass
Antique Neoclassical Style Three-Piece Gilt Bronze Clock Set
Located in London, GB
Antique neoclassical style three-piece gilt bronze clock set French, late 19th century Measures: Clock: Height 57cm, width 74cm, depth 23cm. Candelabra: Height 83cm, width 27cm, d...
Ormolu, Bronze
Pair Wedgwood Basalt Dolphin Form Candlesticks with Gilt Rococo Candle Nozzles
By Wedgewood
Located in Litchfield, CT
Pair Wedgwood basalt dolphin form candlesticks with gilt rococo foliate candle nozzles. The dolphins boldly modeled and resting atop a rectangular plinth with a border of scallop sea...
Pottery
$340Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Neoclassical Baluster Bronze Candlesticks
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Pair of vintage Neoclassical bronze candlesticks feature elegant baluster form with wide circular bases. The sculptural bodies with a twisted element are supported by round tiered ba...
Bronze
Pair of Portuguese Neoclassical Five-Light Candelabra by Leitão & Irmão
Located in Lisboa, PT
Pair of Portuguese Neoclassical Five-Light Candelabra by Leitão & Irmão Portugal, late 19th Century (1887-1937) Materials: Silver and Rosewood...
Silver
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
German 19th Century Giltwood Candle Chandelier
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
German 19th century giltwood chandelier for burning taper candles, untouched by the modern convenience of electricity as a delightfully analog source of light. This elegant design fr...
Metal
1970s Neo-Classical Style Italian Ram Form Candlesticks, Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a good looking pair of Italian neo-classical style candlesticks. They have an elongated cornucopia that graduates downward to a detailed ram’s head. They are composition and ...
Composition
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
A large pair of Neoclassical silver plate column candlesticks by WMF circa 1895
Located in Sleepy Hollow, NY
A large and architecturally striking pair of silver-plated Neoclassical columnar candlesticks, Germany, circa 1895, stamped “WMF” for Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik. Each candle...
Silver Plate
Pair, Bronze Neoclassical Sea Serpent or Koi Fish Candleholders Candlesticks
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of neoclassical bronze Koi fish or sea serpent figurative candlesticks, candleholders. These Asian inspired sculptural curved candlesticks feat...
Bronze
$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
Newburyport Pewter Candlesticks by Towle, a Pair
Located in Chicago, IL
A pair of traditional pewter candlestick holders made by Towle Silversmiths. Sleek flared capitals and graduated round bases. Marked ‘Towle’ underneath. Each measures 3.75" tall x ...
Pewter
Corinthian Column Candle Holder in Solid Silver
Located in Tilburg, NL
Corinthian column candle holder in solid silver Wonderful and highly detailed column candle holder in heavy silver. Great piece with a ...
Silver
$1,800 / set
Pair of Hurricanes with Cut and Polished Stars
Located in Kilmarnock, VA
A stunning and rare pair of vintage glass hurricane shades, each meticulously hand-cut and polished with 24 radiant star motifs encircling the glass. The precision of the cuts and th...
Cut Glass
$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
$396Sale Price / set|20% Off
Neoclassical Brass Paw Foot Candlestick Holders, Pair
Located in Elkhart, IN
A gorgeous pair of Neoclassical style brass candle holders with paw feet circa Mid-20th century Measures: 5.25"W x 5.25"D x 8.75"H. Good original vintage condition. Patina e...
Brass
Pair of Fine Italian Mid-Century Hand Blown Table Lamps by Seguso
Located in Long Island City, NY
Hand blown, with a gold-dusted glass tulip shape shade mounted on a bronze base. Original "SB/351 Murano Seguso Vetri d'Arte" label.
Bronze
Historistic Candle Holder Vienna around 1890s
Located in Wien, AT
Historistic candle holder Vienna around 1890s Brass polished and stove enamelled.
Brass
Wedgwood blue and white jasperware candleholders
By Wedgwood
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
Fine pair of Wedgwood jasperware candleholder, neoclassical style item decorated with white flowers and leaves friezes on a sky-blue background. Jasperware, or jasper ware, is a type...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Neoclassical Naples White Porcelain Candlestick
Located in New York, NY
Neoclassical Naples white porcelain candlestick. Early Ferdinando IV Empire period candlestick of acanthus leaf basket form issuing tapered co...
Porcelain
Pair of Tall Edwardian Sterling Silver Neoclassical Column-Form Candlesticks
Located in New York, NY
Tall, Edwardian, sterling silver, neoclassical, column-form candlesticks, Birmingham, England, 1914, Bayliss and Coulthard - makers. Measures: 12 1/2 high x 5 wide x 5 deep (at squar...
Sterling Silver