Neoclassical Candle Holders
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.
20th Century French Neoclassical Candle Holders
Ormolu, Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Candle Holders
Ormolu, Bronze
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Candle Holders
Ceramic, Pottery
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Candle Holders
Lapis Lazuli, Ormolu, Bronze
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Candle Holders
Silver Plate, Copper, Iron
Early 1900s American Antique Neoclassical Candle Holders
Brass
1980s Portuguese Vintage Neoclassical Candle Holders
Porcelain
1790s English Antique Neoclassical Candle Holders
Sterling Silver
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Candle Holders
Rock Crystal, Marble, Ormolu
1870s French Antique Neoclassical Candle Holders
Marble, Enamel, Ormolu, Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Candle Holders
Malachite, Ormolu
20th Century French Neoclassical Candle Holders
Giltwood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Candle Holders
Marble, Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Candle Holders
Griotte Marble, Ormolu
2010s French Neoclassical Candle Holders
Rock Crystal, Brass
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Candle Holders
Rock Crystal, Ormolu
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Candle Holders
Bronze
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Candle Holders
Ormolu
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Candle Holders
Malachite, Ormolu, Bronze
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Candle Holders
Porcelain
Late 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Candle Holders
Brass
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Candle Holders
Wood, Giltwood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Candle Holders
Brass
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Candle Holders
Bronze, Ormolu
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Candle Holders
Metal
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Candle Holders
Onyx, Ormolu, Bronze
19th Century Great Britain (UK) Antique Neoclassical Candle Holders
Crystal, Ormolu, Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Candle Holders
Giltwood
18th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical Candle Holders
Bronze
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Candle Holders
Metal
2010s Italian Neoclassical Candle Holders
Bronze
2010s Italian Neoclassical Candle Holders
Lapis Lazuli, Marble, Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Candle Holders
Bronze, Iron
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Candle Holders
Stoneware
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Candle Holders
Ormolu, Bronze
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Candle Holders
Ormolu, Bronze
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Candle Holders
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Candle Holders
Marble, Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Candle Holders
Ormolu
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Candle Holders
Bronze, Ormolu
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Candle Holders
Lapis Lazuli, Enamel, Bronze, Ormolu
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Candle Holders
Tôle
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Neoclassical Candle Holders
Silver
19th Century Ukrainian Antique Neoclassical Candle Holders
Marble, Crystal, Bronze
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Candle Holders
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Candle Holders
Ormolu
1890s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Candle Holders
Brass
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Candle Holders
Bronze
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Candle Holders
Iron, Metallic Thread
20th Century English Neoclassical Candle Holders
Hardwood
1790s South American Antique Neoclassical Candle Holders
Bronze
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Neoclassical Candle Holders
Onyx, Brass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Candle Holders
Ceramic
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Candle Holders
Bronze
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Candle Holders
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Candle Holders
Bronze
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Candle Holders
Iron
18th Century European Antique Neoclassical Candle Holders
Marble, Bronze