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.
French Neoclassical Style Brass and Beveled Clear Glass Hexagonal Lantern, 1920
Located in Barntrup, DE
French brass and beveled clear glass hexagonal hanging lantern from circa the 1920s. This adorable three-light antique pendant lantern features...
Brass
Wonderful Gilt Bronze Rams Head Regency Neoclassical Glass Bell Jar Lantern
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful Gilt Bronze Rams Filigree Swag Head Regency Neoclassical Glass Bell Jar Lantern
Bronze, Ormolu
$2,500
Bronze Lantern
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very fine and Delicate Baltic Lantern. Silver over bronze frame and hand cut crystal beads, rosettes and U-drops. France, circa 1930. 1 light. CW5031.
Crystal, Bronze
Pair of Custom Wrought Iron and Gilt Lantern Pendants by Miamar Home
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A striking pair of handcrafted wrought iron lanterns, custom made for Miamar Home, combining Old World European form with refined decorative detailing. Each lantern is constructed in...
Wrought Iron
Pair of French Neoclassical Style Brass and Glass Two-Light Wall Lanterns
Located in Barntrup, DE
An adorable pair of French Neoclassical-style wall lanterns. These elegant wall lamps feature a polished brass frame and three curved clear glass panels. Each wall light has two sock...
Brass
Circular glazed brass hall lantern in the neo-classical style
Located in London, GB
A late 19th century circular glazed brass hall lantern in the neo-classical style, English, circa 1900. Brass work decorated with Vitruvian scrolls and oak leaf motifs. Twin light ...
Brass
French Neoclassical Style Brass and Clear Glass Round Hanging Lantern, 1920
Located in Barntrup, DE
French brass and cut clear glass round hanging lantern from circa the 1920s. This adorable three-light antique pendant lantern features an eleg...
Brass
$2,328Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of neoclassical style brass lanterns wall lights, possibly Maison Jansen
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice and elegant pair of neoclassical style lanterns wall lights is made of brass with glass. This is a French work attributed to Maison Jansen. Circa 1940
Brass
$16,000 / item
Pair of Large Neoclassic Lanterns, Sold Individually
Located in New York, NY
Pair of large circa 1940s English neoclassic style patinated bronze lanterns with acanthus leaf detail along the top edge and eight interior lights. Sold individually. Measurement...
Bronze
Pair of Antique Russian Neoclassical Ormolu and Cut Crystal Lantern Chandeliers
Located in New York, NY
A Fabulous Pair of Antique Russian Neoclassical Ormolu and Cut-Crystal Lantern Chandeliers. Each chandelier is centered by a frosted and etched glass lantern shade of bell-jar form, ...
Crystal, Ormolu
Italian Etched Glass Silver Plated Lantern
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1910 Italian silver plated lantern with etched glass in floral motif and interior cluster of 4 candelabra lights. Measurements: Drop (current) 37" Minimum drop 27" Diam...
Blown Glass
Neoclassical Bronze & Etched Glass Ceiling Lantern Pen and Brush Club NYC
Located in New York, NY
1890s Neoclassical hall ceiling lantern with two etched glass panels and three lights. It features bronze detailed framing with a multi toned patina and silver wash. This originally ...
Bronze
Italian, Roman, Neoclassic Silver Plate Hanging Censer, late 18th century
Located in Atlanta, GA
hanging from its original canopy and chains, with greek key handles and greek key incised decoration at upper rim, the body of neoclassic form and expertly cast, now to be fitted wit...
Silver Plate
Early American Oversized Hurricane Copper & Glass Lantern
Located in North Miami, FL
ALL original patina to copper base, very heavy thick blown glass diffuser with candle holder in brass to interior base. This is heavy and will definitely NOT blow away in a hurricane!
Copper
Monumental Bronze Entrace Lantern
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful, large-scale, Neoclassical-style bronze octagonal entrance lantern with acanthus leaf detail, 1920s U.S.A.
Bronze
Italian Neoclassical Figural & Foliage Gilt Bronze Hanging Hall Lantern, C. 1820
Located in Charleston, SC
Italian Neoclassical decorative figural and foliage gilt bronze hanging hall lantern with beaded rope borders, three light interior cluster, and resting on scrolled figural foliage f...
Bronze, Wire
American Neoclassical Bronze and Cut Crystal Lantern in the Manner of Caldwell
Located in Atlanta, GA
An elegant American neoclassical hanging lantern dating to circa 1900, crafted in patinated bronze and fitted with a finely cut crystal body. The lantern features a sculptural bronze...
Crystal, Bronze
French 19th-20th Century Neoclassical Style Gilt Bronze Figural Hanging Lantern
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine and rare French 19th-20th century neoclassical style gilt bronze and color-glass figural hanging lantern, the hexagonal shaped body with an orange glass paneling background, each panel centered with a gilt bronze Royal Crest depicting two-winged dragons above a Royal shield...
Bronze
Impressive Neoclassical Patinated Bronze & Glass Pendant Chandelier Lantern
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Beautiful vintage neoclassical style lantern of patinated bronze and paneled glass having 8" of chain and original canopy. 4 interior bulbs.
Bronze
Gilt Bronze & Crystal "Versailles" Lantern
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Very Fine Gilt Bronze & Crystal "Versailles" Lantern. France, circa 1900 Dimensions: Height 32 1/2" Diameter 16" CW5194
Crystal, Bronze
Wonderful French Bronze Filigree Frosted Swirl Beveled Glass Lantern Fixture
Located in Roslyn, NY
Wonderful French bronze filigree frosted swirl beveled glass lantern fixture. Measures: 22" H x 9" W.
Bronze
Early 19th Century Swedish Painted Wooden Neoclassical Chandelier
Located in Essex, MA
Period early 19th century Swedish painted wooden 8 light chandelier. Neoclassical bowl with 8 carved candle holders. Mostly retains original paint and ...
Fir
Early 19th Century Russian Polish Alabaster and Vermeil Lantern by Nast
Located in Essex, MA
Period Carved neoclassical Alabaster and Vermeil, gold on solid silver lantern. But the famous Russian/Polish Silversmith, Ludwik Bernard Nast ( Warsaw c 1821-1838). Excellent gold o...
Alabaster, Vermeil
A Pair of Neoclassical Cranberry glass & Gilt Bronze Lantern Chandeliers
Located in New York, NY
A pair of magnificent and large neoclassical cranberry glass & gilt bronze lantern chandeliers. Each lantern is formed around a large cranberry glass bell...
Crystal, Bronze
Large 19th Century Italian Neoclassical Chandelier Gilt
Located in Essex, MA
19th century Italian neoclassical giltwood and crystal chandelier Urn form body issuing 12 arms original crystals Neoclassical Can be French wired at customer's request.
Iron
20th Century Hexagonal Wrought Iron Ceiling Lantern with Three Lights
Located in Madrid, ES
A hexagonal shaped lantern in cast iron and gilded metal decoration, with six glass panels and three candle-shaped light points, the top in gilded metal.
Crystal, Wrought Iron
$3,850 / item
Monumental Gothic Style Lantern
Located in Atlanta, GA
A fine and decorative gothic style lantern, primed and ready to be painted. Acrylic panels. Needs rewiring. 6 available Measures: 15" D; 15...
Aluminum
$20,800Sale Price|20% Off
Spectacular Antique Italian Neoclassical Patinated Bronze Figural Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A spectacular and large antique Italian Neoclassical patinated bronze chandelier composed with a central sculptural figure and elaborate classical detailing. The chandelier is suspen...
Bronze
Bronze and Curved Glass Lantern, France, circa 1930
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Bronze and curved glass lantern. France, circa 1930.
Bronze
Antique French Neoclassical Gilt Bronze Mounted Figural Porcelain Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
An extremely rare antique French neoclassical gilt bronze mounted figural porcelain chandelier. The chandelier is suspended from a circular gilt canopy by four blackened rods adorned...
Bronze
Antique Neoclassical Style Brass Hall Lantern
Located in London, GB
Antique Neoclassical style brass hall lantern French, early 20th century Measures: Height 104cm, width 24cm, depth 24cm This fine hall ...
Brass
$3,950 / item
Elegant Bronze Lanter featuring curved glass panels.
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Fine & Elegant Bronze Lantern having conical shape, featuring an elegant pierced gallery on top. Orginal curved glass panels. Pair Available. France, circa 1940. 4 lights Dimension...
Bronze
19th Century Brass Hexagonal Hall Lantern
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th Century brass hexagonal hall lantern heavily decorated with neoclassical style figureheads, sea creatures and mermaids to the upper section, and terminating with naturalistic sc...
Brass
Very Fine Bronze Lantern with Frosted and Cut Crystal Globe
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very fine bronze lantern with frosted and cut crystal globe, France, circa 1930. 2 lights Dimensions: Height 24", diameter 14 CW2387.
Crystal, Bronze