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.
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Candle Holders
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Candle Holders
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Candle Holders
Glass
Early 1900s English Antique Neoclassical Candle Holders
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Candle Holders
Bronze
Early 1900s English Antique Neoclassical Candle Holders
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Candle Holders
Sheffield Plate, Silver, Silver Plate
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Candle Holders
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Candle Holders
Sterling Silver
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Candle Holders
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Candle Holders
Silver
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Candle Holders
Metal
Early 1900s Italian Antique Neoclassical Candle Holders
Metal
Early 20th Century Japanese Neoclassical Candle Holders
Brass
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Candle Holders
Copper
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Candle Holders
Ormolu
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Candle Holders
Bronze
1910s English Vintage Neoclassical Candle Holders
Sterling Silver
Early 1900s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Candle Holders
Sterling Silver
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Candle Holders
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Candle Holders
Lapis Lazuli, Bronze, Ormolu
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Candle Holders
Ormolu, Bronze
Early 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Candle Holders
Iron
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Candle Holders
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Candle Holders
Bronze
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Candle Holders
Bronze
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Candle Holders
Bronze, Brass
1930s Danish Vintage Neoclassical Candle Holders
Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s Italian Neoclassical Candle Holders
Lapis Lazuli, Marble, Bronze
1920s English Vintage Neoclassical Candle Holders
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Candle Holders
Metal
Early 1900s American Antique Neoclassical Candle Holders
Sterling Silver
1990s Italian Neoclassical Candle Holders
Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Candle Holders
Crystal
1890s English Antique Neoclassical Candle Holders
Sterling Silver
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Candle Holders
Silver, Sterling Silver
1820s English Antique Neoclassical Candle Holders
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Silver
1890s English Antique Neoclassical Candle Holders
Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Candle Holders
Crystal
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Candle Holders
Bronze
1910s Russian Vintage Neoclassical Candle Holders
Sterling Silver
Early 1900s American Antique Neoclassical Candle Holders
Sterling Silver
Early 1900s American Antique Neoclassical Candle Holders
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Candle Holders
Clay
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Candle Holders
Crystal
1910s German Vintage Neoclassical Candle Holders
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Candle Holders
Crystal
Early 1900s American Antique Neoclassical Candle Holders
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Candle Holders
Metal
Early 20th Century North American Neoclassical Candle Holders
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Candle Holders
Sterling Silver