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Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces

NEOCLASSICAL STYLE

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.

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Style: Neoclassical
Wonderful Pair Caldwell Two-Arm Brass Bronze Wreath Neoclassical Regency Sconces
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Handsome Pair Of Stamped E.F. Caldwell Two-Arm Brass / Bronze Wreath Urn Top Neoclassical, Regency Wall Sconces, Rewired With Up To 60 Watt Edison Bulb...
Category

1940s Vintage Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Stunning Pair of Neoclassical Sconces by Baccarat
Located in Montreal, QC
Stunning and large pair of neoclassical style crystal and gilt bronze sconces by Baccarat. Signed "Baccarat" in raised lettering on the bobeches. Provenance: Estate of the late mothe...
Category

Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Crystal

Fine Pair Gilt Bronze Neoclassical Bow Top Wreath Wall Sconces E.F. Caldwell
Located in Roslyn, NY
A fine pair gilt bronze neoclassical bow top two-arm Wall Sconces, By E.F. Caldwell.
Category

Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Ormolu

Wonderful Pair of Caldwell Dore Bronze Three-Arm Wall Sconces Putti Urn
Located in Roslyn, NY
Pair of very fine Caldwell doré bronze three-arm sconces with Cherub plaque and urn top in the neoclassical form.
Category

20th Century Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Italian Neoclassical Girandole Gilt Foliage Mirrored Wall Sconces C 1800
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of Italian Neoclassical girandole giltwood and gesso two arm oval mirrored wall sconces with scrolled foliage crest, decorative interior borders, and acanthus scrolled candle ar...
Category

Early 1800s Italian Antique Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Gesso, Mirror, Giltwood

Set of Neoclassical Style Gilt Bronze Wall Sconces by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
Decorative set of two large gilt bronze figural wall sconces by Gherardo Degli Albizzi. Female figure is characterized by a very rich veget...
Category

2010s Italian Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Large Bronze Sconces circa 1940, Parchment Lampshade
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of large bronze sconces with two patinas, circa 1940. Parchment shades in poor condition.
Category

1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Bronze and Crystal Sconces with Mirror, France, Early 20th Century
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Pair of bronze and crystal sconces with mirror. France, early 20th century.
Category

Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Crystal

Two Louis XVI Style Carved Giltwood Wall Sconces
Located in London, GB
These beautiful giltwood wall lights are designed in the style of decorative art produced in the Louis XVI period (1774-1793). This period saw the emergence of the neoclassical style...
Category

20th Century French Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Giltwood

pair of French 19th century Neo-Classical st. Ormolu sconces
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A finely detailed pair of French 19th century Neo-Classical st. Ormolu sconces. Each stunning three arm sconce is centered around an acorn bottom finial that is attached to a foliate decorated back plate. Each 'C' scrolled arm is decorated with berried acanthus leaves and a beaded bands below each candle cup. Standing atop the front arm is a winged cherub dressed...
Category

19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Ormolu

Italian Silver Gilt Urns Converted into Small Lamps Hand Made Shades With Silver
Located in Buchanan, MI
Very nice 18th century Italian urns converted into lamps with custon parchment shades, silver leaf. These would be charming sconces on wall brackets. ...
Category

18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Silver, Vermeil

Set of Three Metal Sconces in the Neoclassical Style
Located in London, GB
Set of three metal sconces in the neoclassical style French, 20th Century Height 52cm, width 23cm, depth 15cm Each sconce in this set of three is crafted from warmly patinated metal in the Neoclassical style. Each sconce features a shaft-form backplate moulded with fluting, topped with an urn-form finial, and set below with a foliate drop finial. The backplate of each issues two scrolling light...
Category

20th Century French Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Metal

Pair of 1900s French Silvered Bronze Sconces
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautifully detailed silvered bronze sconces with nice lion's head detail.
Category

Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Silver, Bronze

Pair of Metal Sconces Designed in the Neoclassical Style
Located in London, GB
Pair of metal sconces designed in the neoclassical style French, early 20th Century Measures: Height 37cm, width 29cm, depth 15cm This fine pair of sconces is crafted in the neoclassical style from metal. Each sconce features a backplate tapering from a wider top to a narrower bottom and moulded with acanthus leaves and other classicising motifs. The backplate of each issues twin scrolled light...
Category

Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Metal

1970′ Pair of Ceiling Lights or Sconces with Flowers and Leaves Maison Bagués
Located in Paris, FR
Pair Ceiling or wall lights in gilded metal, 6 bulbs. Adorned with green colored leaves and glass or crystal flowers Good condition, Circa 1970 Measures:...
Category

1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Iron

Pair of Italian 19th Century Neoclassical Style Giltwood and Glass Sconces
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exquisite and large scale pair of Italian 19th century neo-classical st. giltwood and frosted glass Bras de Lumière sconces. Each sconce displays a most decorative circular back p...
Category

19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Glass, Giltwood

Pair of 19th Century Neoclassical Ormolu Wall Lights
Located in Brighton, Sussex
An impressive pair of 19th century gilded ormolu three branch wall sconces, each with flaming urns, ribbon and swag decoration over tapering f...
Category

19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Ormolu

True Pair of French 19th C. Neoclassical St. Biscuit De Sèvres Porcelain Sconces
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A beautiful and most elegant true pair of French 19th century Neo-Classical st. Biscuit de Sèvres Porcelain and ormolu sconces. Each three arm sconce is centered by fine bottom elong...
Category

19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Ormolu

Pair of French 19th Century Neo-Classical Ormolu Sconces
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An impressive pair of French 19th century neo-classical st. ormolu sconces. Each four arm sconce is centered by a most decorative bottom ball below the square tapered central support...
Category

19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Ormolu

Pair of Italian 19th Century Neoclassical St. Giltwood Bras De Lumiere Sconces
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An impressive and large scale pair of Italian 19th century neoclassical St. giltwood Bras de Lumiere sconces. Each two-arm sconce is centered by a striking richly carved backplate wi...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Giltwood

Set of Six French 19th Century Neoclassical Style Three-Arm Ormolu Sconces
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning high quality complete set of six French 19th century Neo-Classical st. three arm ormolu sconces. Each sconce in centered by a striking pierced palmette backplate from wher...
Category

19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Ormolu

Maison Baguès Attribution, Neoclassical Mirrored Sconces, Bronze, Crystal, 1910s
Located in Manhasset, NY
Pair of Maison Baguès mirrored wall lights, sconces. This stunning pair of large and very impressive wall sconces in a dore bronze finish having a...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Bronze

1970 Two Pairs of Wall Lamps Gilded Flowers and Foliage Iron, Two Bulbs
Located in Paris, FR
Two pairs of wall lamps, flowers and foliage gilded iron, circa 1970, good condition.
Category

1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Iron

Pair of French 19th Century Neo-Classical St. Ormolu Sconces
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking and high quality pair of French 19th century neo-classical st. ormolu sconces. Each five arm sconce is centered by an exceptional foliate backplate from where the elegant ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Ormolu

Antique Large Bronze Neoclassical Caldwell Wall Sconce Four Arms
Located in Toledo, OH
Bronze Neo Classical Caldwell heavy cast ornate wall sconce. Adorned with fruit and a fluted body. Stamped on back. Four arms, electric. Dimensions...
Category

Early 20th Century North American Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Sconces in Bronze Neolassical
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of bronze sconces in the style neoclassical, very decorative and rare.
Category

1910s French Vintage Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Bronze

pair of antique French 1940 bronze sconces
Located in Los Angeles, CA
remember we have over three thousand antique sconces and over one thousand antique lights, we can not put everything on 1stdibs, if you need a specific pair of sconces or lights, ask...
Category

1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Bronze

English Brass-Plated Sconces
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Original brass-plated sconces sourced from London, England by Martyn Lawrene Bullard Fitted with original candle holders, and wall mounts. Accompanied by brass key ring, suspended u...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Brass

Large Wall Lamp in Lacquered Metal, Bronze and Glass, circa 1950
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Large wall lamp in lacquered metal, bronze and glass, circa 1950 with its bronze fixing hook.
Category

1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Set of Three Neoclassical Gilt Bronze Wall Lights
Located in London, GB
Set of three Neoclassical gilt bronze wall lights French, c. 1890 Measures: Height 56cm, width 40cm, depth 32cm This set of three wall lights is crafted in a Neoclassical, Frenc...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Pair of French 19th Century Neo-Classical St. Ormolu Three Arm Sconces
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking pair of French 19th century neo-classical st. ormolu three arm sconces. Each sconce is centered by a beautiful bottom palmette. At the centers are most decorative circular...
Category

19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Ormolu

Neoclassical wall lights and sconces for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Neoclassical wall lights and sconces for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage wall lights and sconces created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include lighting, mirrors, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, bronze and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Neoclassical wall lights and sconces made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original wall lights and sconces, popular names associated with this style include Edward F. Caldwell & Co., Workstead, Maison Lancel, and Maison Baguès. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for wall lights and sconces differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $279 and tops out at $80,522 while the average work can sell for $3,650.

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