Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
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.
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass
2010s American Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Fabric
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Bronze
2010s American Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Fabric
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Bronze
1890s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Nickel
20th Century American Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Glass
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Bronze
Late 18th Century American Antique Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Bronze
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass, Metal
2010s American Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Fabric
Early 20th Century North American Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Bronze
2010s American Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Earthenware
1980s Vintage Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass
2010s American Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Fabric
2010s American Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Fabric
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Metal
2010s American Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Nickel, Bronze, Brass
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Iron
1840s Italian Antique Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Giltwood, Ebony, Wood, Gesso
2010s American Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Earthenware
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Bronze, Brass
20th Century American Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Silver
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Spanish Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Metal, Iron
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Maiolica, Giltwood, Canvas
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Ormolu
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Iron
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass, Bronze, Wrought Iron
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Ormolu
2010s American Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Nickel, Bronze, Brass
2010s American Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Nickel, Bronze, Brass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Wrought Iron
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Bronze
2010s American Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Nickel
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Giltwood
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Iron
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Alabaster
2010s American Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Wood
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass, Metal
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Bronze
2010s American Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Enamel
2010s American Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Wood
2010s American Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Wood
1990s Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Metal
1940s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass, Enamel
1990s Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Crystal, Metal
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Bronze
2010s American Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass
2010s American Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Enamel
2010s American Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Fabric
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Wall Lights and Sconces
Bronze