Neoclassical Chandeliers and Pendants
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.
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 authentic neoclassical furniture today on 1stDibs.
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Chandeliers and Pendants
Brass
Mid-19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Chandeliers and Pendants
Crystal, Rock Crystal, Bronze
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Chandeliers and Pendants
Crystal, Steel
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Chandeliers and Pendants
Brass
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Chandeliers and Pendants
Chrome
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Chandeliers and Pendants
Alabaster
1820s Italian Antique Neoclassical Chandeliers and Pendants
Bronze
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Chandeliers and Pendants
Crystal, Tôle
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Chandeliers and Pendants
Bronze
2010s American Neoclassical Chandeliers and Pendants
Brass, Bronze, Nickel
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Chandeliers and Pendants
Wood
20th Century French Neoclassical Chandeliers and Pendants
Gold Leaf
Early 20th Century Spanish Neoclassical Chandeliers and Pendants
Alabaster, Bronze
1940s Vintage Neoclassical Chandeliers and Pendants
Brass
Early 20th Century Swedish Neoclassical Chandeliers and Pendants
Alabaster
2010s American Neoclassical Chandeliers and Pendants
Oak
1950s Vintage Neoclassical Chandeliers and Pendants
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Chandeliers and Pendants
Tôle
Early 20th Century Swedish Neoclassical Chandeliers and Pendants
Alabaster
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Chandeliers and Pendants
Ormolu
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Chandeliers and Pendants
Alabaster, Brass
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Chandeliers and Pendants
Crystal, Bronze, Steel
2010s American Neoclassical Chandeliers and Pendants
Brass, Bronze, Nickel
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Chandeliers and Pendants
Alabaster, Brass
Early 20th Century European Neoclassical Chandeliers and Pendants
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Chandeliers and Pendants
Brass
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Chandeliers and Pendants
Crystal, Bronze
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Chandeliers and Pendants
Wood
1920s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Chandeliers and Pendants
Bronze
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Chandeliers and Pendants
Alabaster, Brass, Bronze
1860s French Antique Neoclassical Chandeliers and Pendants
Bronze
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Chandeliers and Pendants
Brass, Bronze, Copper
1920s Swedish Vintage Neoclassical Chandeliers and Pendants
Alabaster
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Chandeliers and Pendants
Mid-20th Century Spanish Neoclassical Chandeliers and Pendants
Metal, Iron
1980s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Chandeliers and Pendants
Metal
2010s American Neoclassical Chandeliers and Pendants
Enamel
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Chandeliers and Pendants
Brass, Iron
2010s American Neoclassical Chandeliers and Pendants
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Chandeliers and Pendants
Bronze
20th Century European Neoclassical Chandeliers and Pendants
Crystal, Bronze
2010s American Neoclassical Chandeliers and Pendants
Brass
1940s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Chandeliers and Pendants
Crystal, Iron
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Chandeliers and Pendants
Brass, Steel
2010s American Neoclassical Chandeliers and Pendants
Enamel
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Chandeliers and Pendants
Alabaster, Ormolu
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Chandeliers and Pendants
Ormolu
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Chandeliers and Pendants
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Chandeliers and Pendants
Glass
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Chandeliers and Pendants
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Chandeliers and Pendants
Bronze, Ormolu
1930s French Vintage Neoclassical Chandeliers and Pendants
Bronze
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Chandeliers and Pendants
Crystal
20th Century Neoclassical Chandeliers and Pendants
Beads
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Chandeliers and Pendants
Bronze
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Chandeliers and Pendants
Crystal, Brass
20th Century French Neoclassical Chandeliers and Pendants
Brass
1830s German Antique Neoclassical Chandeliers and Pendants
Bronze