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.
$666Sale 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
Sterling Silver Candlesticks Holders, Pair, Circa Early-20th Century, America
Located in New York, NY
A pair of sterling silver candlestick holders, La Pierre Manufacturing Co., circa early-20th century, America. Classic sterling silver candlestick holders; a great pair for many dini...
Sterling Silver
Pair of Neoclassical Silver-Plate Corinthian Column Candelabras
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Original Vintage Condition
Silver Plate
$1,826Sale Price / set|51% Off
Pair of Neoclassical Altar Candleholders, Italy, Circa 1760-1780
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
Antique Staffordshire Pair Pottery Candlesticks Figurines
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Antique Staffordshire Pair Pottery Candlesticks Figurines Beautiful piece purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or message us with questions.
Porcelain
Pair English Georgian Style Gilt Bronze and Blue John Fluospar Stone
Located in New York, NY
Pair of exceptional neoclassical cassolette form candlesticks in the manner of Matthew Boulton (1728-1809), finely crafted from gilt bronze an...
Stone, Bronze
Pair of Large French Bronze and Gilt-Bronze Candelabra
By François Rémond
Located in London, GB
This impressive pair of candelabra features two Classically modelled maidens, holding above their head an extravagant fruit-filled golden array, which each issue a trio of candle-bra...
Bronze, Ormolu
Antique Pair French Neoclassical Ormolu Bronze Candlesticks
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Antique Pair French Neoclassical Ormolu Bronze Candlesticks Elegant pair of 19th century French ormolu bronze single light candle holders. The tapered fluted shafts with acanthus c...
Bronze
Neoclassical Style Gilt Bronze and Cut Crystal Lamp By Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
Neoclassical style Gilt Bronze and Cut Crystal Lamp By Gherardo Degli Albizzi features Classic amphor shape and curved handles. Central body of this little lamp...
Crystal, Bronze
pair of Baltic 19th century Glass, Ormolu and Marble candelabras
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A sensational and large scale pair of Baltic 19th century Neo-Classical st. Glass, Ormolu and Marble candelabras. This exquisite pair of cobalt blue glass candelabras is raised by a ...
Crystal, Ormolu
19th Century European Brass Hanging Church Sanctuary Pendant Lamp with Cherubim
Located in Madrid, ES
This 19th century brass hanging pendant sanctuary lamp is from a Spanish collection, but it shares characteristics with French sanctuary lamps of...
Brass
$458Sale Price|33% Off
Small Late 18th Century Italian Neoclassical Giltwood Candleholder
Located in Buisson, FR
Great small wooden candleholder with its original gilding. Very nice type candleholder and rare to find. Italy, circa 1780-1800. Weathered, small losses and repair. H:29cm W:16,5cm ...
Wood
Pair 19th Century Figural Porcelain 4-Light Candelabra by Minton
Located in New York, NY
Pair of 19th century English glazed and bisquit porcelain figural candelabra, allegorical of Night and Day after the original models by Al...
Porcelain
Antique Polychromed Wall Candle Holder Italy 19th Century
Located in Čelinac, BA
Wooden Torch Holder Putto Italy 19th Century
Wood
$525Sale Price / set|30% Off
Antique Large Pair of Hardwood Candlesticks - Rich Patina - U.S.A., C.1900
Located in Chatham, ON
Antique large pair of hardwood candlesticks - lathe turned - rich patina - original wool felt liners to the bases - unsigned - United States - circa 1900. Excellent antique conditio...
Hardwood
Extremely Rare Pair Italian Jeweled, Porphyry, Rock Crystal, Ormolu Candelabra
Located in New York, NY
Highly Important & extremely Rare Pair of early Jeweled Italian Porphyry, hand carved Rock Crystal, and Dore Bronze three light Candelabra, mounted with various precious stones, inc...
Amethyst, Rock Crystal, Porphyry, Ormolu
$1,130Sale Price|37% Off
Italian early 19th Century Neoclassical Giltwood Candleholder
Located in Buisson, FR
Wonderful period piece with its original hand carved gildwood base and beautiful iron candleholders. Italy, circa 1800-1850. Weathered, small losses H:46,5cm W:25cm D:23cm
Iron
Pair of English Edwardian Neoclassical Pillar Candlesticks, 1918
By Hawksworth, Eyre & Co. Ltd.
Located in New York, NY
Pair of English Edwardian Neoclassical sterling silver candlesticks, 1918. Each: Ovoid socket with detachable bobeche on stepped mount; fluted and tapering pillar shaft and raised sq...
Sterling Silver
A NEOCLASSICAL SHABBY-CHIC CANDELABRA CANDLESTICK, France 1970
By Maria Pergay
Located in PARIS, FR
An exceptional and spectacular candelabra sculpture, Post-Modernist, Neo-Classical, Shabby-Chic, composition of 3 deer horns in massive cast aluminum, decorated with 6 neo-classical ...
Metal
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 Mid-Century Neoclassical Brass Paw Foot Candlesticks
Located in Elkhart, IN
A handsome pair of mid-20th century brass candlesticks with faceted stems, stepped geometric bases, and finely modeled paw feet. Their warm, naturally aged surface gives the pair a r...
Brass
Pair of Antique Gorham Edwardian Classical Column Candlesticks, 1907
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Edwardian Classical sterling silver column candlesticks. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1907. Each: Column with fluted shaft on stepped square base. Corinthian capital with ...
Sterling Silver
$16,170 / 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 French Late 19th Century Neoclassical Style Bronze Cherub Candleholders
Located in Barntrup, DE
Elegant neoclassical cherub candleholders with sculptural bronze figures and refined classical detailing. A charming pair of French Neoclassical candleholders featuring finely model...
Bronze
$666Sale Price / set|42% Off
Couple of Small Late 18th Century Italian Neoclassical Giltwood Candleholders
Located in Buisson, FR
Great pair of small wooden candleholders with their original gilding. Very nice type candleholder and rare to find in a pair. Italy, circa 1780-1800. Weathered, small losses.
Iron
Pair of Neoclassical Lyre-Form Brass Candlesticks, Sculptural and Ornate
Located in Bochum, NRW
A poetic pair of early 20th-century Swedish candlesticks, crafted in solid brass by Gnosjö Hyltans Metall - renowned for its fine metalwork and sculptural precision. Designed in the ...
Brass
Pair of Italian Neoclassical Period 18th Century Carved Giltwood Candlesticks
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A pair of Italian noclassical period carved and painted giltwood candlesticks from the 18th century, with paw feet. Each of this pair of exq...
Wood, Giltwood
$7,500 / set
Pair of Gilt Bronze Candlesticks on Marble
Located in Atlanta, GA
French. Pair of gilt bronze and patinated bronze neoclassical style seven light candelabra having column form, paw feet and raised on a Rouge Griotte marble step plinth. Apparently u...
Marble, Bronze
French Brass 5-Arm Candelabras, 19th Century, Set of 2
Located in Worcester Park, GB
A stately and elegant pair of five-arm candelabras, crafted in solid brass and likely French in origin, dating to the late 19th century. These pieces capture the grandeur of neoclass...
Brass
Gilded Bronze Wall Candle Sconce, Neoclassical Style, France, 1950s
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Beautiful French wall sconce/candleholder made of gilded bronze, made in the form of tied ribbons supporting two candleholders ending with tassels wrapped around buttons decorated wi...
Bronze
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
Russian 19th Century Neo-Classical St. Marble, Crystal, and Ormolu Lamps
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and extremely decorative Russian 19th century Neo-Classical st. white Carrara marble, rock crystal, crystal, and ormolu candelabra lamps. Each three arm lamp is raised by ...
Crystal, Rock Crystal, Marble, Ormolu
A Pair of Antique French Silver-Plated Candlesticks - XIXth century.
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
A beautiful and elegant pair of antique French silver-plated candlesticks featuring a refined Neoclassical design. These substantial and well-crafted pieces showcase exquisite beade...
Silver Plate
$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
Silver Candlestich or Candle Holder with Tongs or Tweezers, Barcelona, 19th c
By F. Roca
Located in Madrid, ES
Silver candlestich or candle holder with tongs or tweezers. Silver. F. Roca, Barcelona, towards the first half of the 19th century. With contrast and derisive marks. Silver candles...
Silver
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
Bronze Bird Tripod Candle Stand
Located in New York, NY
Bronze bird tripod candle stand. Antique Italian softly patinated green bronze tripod oil lamp / votive candle stand in the classical style popular...
Bronze
$156Sale Price|20% Off
Orrefors Crystal Votive Candle Holder by Lars Hellsten, Sweden, 1970s
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Orrefors Sweden Crystal by Lars Hellsten circa 1970s. The Swedish crystal bowl designed by sculptor Lars Hellsten for Orrefors, marked with needle-...
Crystal
Tiffany Georgian Neoclassical Sterling Silver Chambersticks after Paul Storr
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Georgian sterling silver chambersticks. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1913. Medici urn socket with detachable bobeche on stepped support mounted to round well with ra...
Sterling Silver
French Gold Gilt Bronze Neoclassical Candlestick Holders, Pair
Located in New York, NY
A substantial pair of French gold gilt bronze candlestick holders in the Neoclassical style, circa mid to late-19th century, France. A raise...
Bronze
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
Fine Quality Pair of Patinated and Gilt-Bronze and Marble Three-Light Candelabra
Located in New York, NY
A neoclassical-form woman holding two candle arms with leaves and grapes surmounted on a rectangular base. Date: 19th century Origin: French Dimension: 24 1/2 in. x 9 in.
Bronze, Ormolu
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
$4,891 / set
Paul Mathieu Candlestick Set, White Marble Four
By Paul Mathieu (French), Stephanie Odegard Collection
Located in New York, NY
A White Marble candlestick set is hand-carved from White Marble as a set of four candlesticks in varying heights. The piece presents four White Marble candlesticks designed as a grad...
Marble
Antique Pair Candelabra Candle Louis XVI Neoclassical Style Marble Ormolu Gold
Located in Greven, DE
Antique Pair Candelabra Candle Holders Louis XVI Neoclassical Style Marble Ormolu Gold France Marble, bronze Late 19th Century Dimensions: H x W x D: 31cm x 21.5cm x 9cm T...
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
A pair of document. Louis-Philippe gilt bronze Candlesticks from Chateau Neuilly
Located in San Francisco, CA
A very rare pair of French gilt-bronze (ormulu) candlesticks on yellow marble/alabaster bases with the royal inventory marks from the reign of Louis-Philippe.The stamps on the gilt b...
Gold Plate
French Pair of 18th Century Gilt Altar Candlesticks
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A stunning pair of French, 18th century giltwood candlesticks from a church or cathedral. These substantial "pricket" candlesticks will make a statement on any mantel or table: tall,...
Gold
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
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
$603Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Antique Corinthian Columns Candlesticks Made in Silver Plated
Located in Roma, IT
A splendid pair of antique candlesticks in the Neoclassical style. They were Made in England, as shown in the hallmark visible in the photo, probably in the Early 20th Century. The...
Silver, Silver Plate, Sheffield Plate
Rare Italian Neoclassical Brass Candlesticks, Urn Design, Ca. 1950s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Rare pair of Italian Neoclassical style brass candlesticks. They are shaped like a fluted column with an urn on top. The lid on the urn flips to hold the candle.
Brass
$971Sale Price / set|25% Off
Early 20thC English Silver plate Candlesticks /Sterling Silver Columns, set/2
Located in Malibu, CA
A stunning pair of antique late 19th/early 20th century English neoclassical column candlesticks. Square bases with steps up to the column. On the square base, a sterling silver fl...
Silver Plate, Sterling Silver
$2,087Sale Price|20% Off
Hilding Ekelund, Finnish 1920's candelabra for Taidetakomo Hakkarainen
By Hilding Ekelund, Taidetakomo Hakkarainen
Located in Turku, Varsinais-Suomi
Illuminate your home with the Hilding Ekelund candelabra, a masterpiece from the Finnish 1920s, designed for Taidetakomo Hakkarainen. As a renowned arc...
Wrought Iron
$920Sale Price / set|20% Off
Ornate Neoclassical Bronze Candle Holders, Cast Design, Italy, Pair
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
Pair of Large Antique Italian Gilt Wood and Metal Neoclassical Wall Sconces
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Standout pair of tall Italian two light wall sconces crafted in carved wood and metal having urns, medallions, leaves and wreaths in classical form with a worn gilt finish. Stamped m...
Metal
Monumental Italian Giltwood & Polychrome Dolphin And Floral Tole Candelabra
Located in Atlanta, GA
A highly decorative near pair of Italian polychrome and parcel-gilt torchère candelabra, conceived in a theatrical neoclassical fantasy with twin dolphin-form supports, classical urn...
Metal
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
Set of Four Italian Candle Holders 1900 circa Neoclassical Style Candlesticks
Located in Milano, MI
Set of four Neoclassical style Italian candleholders in silvered copper dating back to the early 1900. This fine set of table candleholders, could be electrified and becomes an elegant set of four table lamps...
Copper
Fire gilted historistic candle extinguisher ( adjustable ) around 1890s
Located in Wien, Au
Fire gilted historistic candle extinguisher ( adjustable ) around 1890s Original condition
Brass
$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