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.
1900 Caldwell Leaded Glass Neoclassical Style Lantern
Located in New York, NY
Circa 1900's Caldwell leaded glass light fixture with interior lights. Neoclassical style lanterns. Available 8 items
Bronze
Pr. of Large Early 20th c. French Neoclassical Alabaster Gilt Bronze Chandeliers
Located in Chicago, IL
Crafted during the height of the early 20th-century revival, this exceptional pair of chandeliers utilizes premium raw calcite alabaster imported directly from the historic quarries ...
Alabaster, Bronze
Monumental German Neo-Pompeian 25-Light Bronze Chandelier with Serpents, 1910
Located in Lisse, NL
An extraordinary architectural chandelier in bronze, created as much as a sculpture as a source of light. Dating to around 1900, this monumental European chandelier is an exceptiona...
Bronze
Vintage Italian Table Lamps Corinthian Column Black Gold Carved Wood a pair
By Carole Stupell, Maison Le Dauphin, Henredon
Located in Wommelgem, VAN
Vintage Italian Corinthian column Lamps Style, Vintage, Neoclassical, Mid Century, Traditional, Classic Design: Traditional Corinthian Column lamps in the manner of Chapman, Henredon...
Fruitwood
$12,000 / item
1900 Caldwell Leaded Glass Large Light Fixture
Located in New York, NY
Circa 1900 Caldwell leaded glass large light fixtures with interior lights.
Glass
$8,800 / item
1900 Leaded Glass Caldwell Light Fixture
Located in New York, NY
Circa 1900 Caldwell leaded glass light fixtures with interior lights
Glass
$299Sale Price|33% Off
Vintage Neoclassical Style Brass & Marble Corinthian Column Table Lamp
Located in Dayton, OH
Late 20th century heavy Greek Corinithian column shaped table lamp with green marble base and brass body styled after an ionic reeded column between square plinths. Includes harp, wh...
Marble, Brass
$7,800 / item
1900 Caldwell Bronze and Leaded Glass Flush Mount
Located in New York, NY
Circa 1900 Caldwell bronze base and leaded glass top flush mount with interior lights. Big size of light fixture
Bronze
Early French Brass Violet Glass Plafonnier Pendant Lamp by Holophane Paris
By Holophane
Located in Amsterdam, NL
French Holophane violet pressed glass ceiling light, hanging lamp by Holophane Paris Brass chain, brass ceiling cover and ring. Weight: 8.80 kg / 19.4 lb Priced per individual ite...
Brass
Bradley & Hubbard Reverse-Painted Glass and Patinated Metal Scenic Table Lamp
Located in Tarry Town, NY
This exceptional Bradley & Hubbard reverse-painted glass and patinated metal table lamp was crafted during the first quarter of the 20th century and is a remarkable example of th...
Metal, Bronze
2 Historistic wall lamps with cut glass shade vienna around 1890s
Located in Wien, Au
2 Historistic wall lamps with cut glass shade vienna around 1890s Brass polished and stove enameled
Brass
$3,040Sale Price|20% Off
Chandelier, crystal and silverplate, Swedish Neoclassicism
By CG Hallberg
Located in Stockholm, SE
A beautiful rare chandelier with crystal details and silverplated metal base. Swedish neoclassicism, 1920s. In the manner of court jeweller CG Hallberg. A true timeless gem. Re-wire...
Crystal, Silver Plate
Neoclassical Alabaster Urn Uplighter Lamp
Located in Barcelona, ES
Sculptural alabaster Art Deco period urn table lamp with neoclassical design, Italy, 1940s. This elegant carved alabaster neoclassical 'uplighter' urn lamp will be a nice addition pl...
Alabaster
Pair of Paul Hanson for Murano Mid Century Italian Modern Blue Glass Table Lamps
By Mabro Murano
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A vintage pair Paul Hanson design for Murano art glass lamps from Italy circa 1950s. These feature thick handblown cobalt ribbed glass, with giltwood bases and fine brass hardware. L...
Brass
An ART-DECO NEOCLASSICAL SHABBY-CHIC Blown Glass TABLE LAMP, MURANO, ITALY 1970
By Venini
Located in PARIS, FR
An important, elegant, luxurious table lamp, Art-Deco, Neo-Classical, Shabby-Chic, composition of 3 generous and sensual pieces of milky white thick blown glass, by yet anonymous art...
Metal
Pair of Antique Neoclassical Style Column Marble Table Lamps
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Newly Rewired, New Custom Linen Shades Dimensions: 32.25”H x 4.75”W x 4.75”D Shade: 10"H x 17"W x 17"D This elegant pair of marble table lamps dates to the 1930s and sho...
Marble
1970s Brass Pineapple Table Lamp Attr: to Virginia Metalcrafters, USA
Located in Southampton, NJ
1970s brass pineapple lamp, in the style of Virginia Metalcrafters. The piece includes a black tole shade with gold piping and light-diffuser. Double socket, with chain pulls.
Metal, Brass
Neoclassical White Florentine Alabaster Table Lamp with Leaf Relief, Italy
Located in Grythyttan, SE
Discover elegance with this finely carved Florentine alabaster table lamp, a timeless and ornate piece. Crafted in the 20th century, its exquisite baluster-shaped design features han...
Alabaster
Pair of Neoclassical Two-Arm Crystal Sconces W/ White Shades Manner of Baccarat
By Baccarat
Located in New York, NY
This elegant pair of Neoclassical two-arm crystal sconces exudes timeless sophistication, crafted in the manner of the iconic French house Baccarat. These stunning 20th-century wall-...
Crystal
Antique Set of 4 Neo-Classical Ormolu & Glass Wall Lights 20th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a superb antique set of four stylish French Neo-classical ormolu & glass flaming torch wall lights, circa 1920 in date. Each has an ormolu foliate and ribbon backplate h...
Ormolu
Frederick Cooper Brass Neo-Classical Style Table Lamps W/ Dolphins / Koi - Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of neo-classical style buffet or table lamps designed by Frederick Cooper. They are solid brass. The dolphin base is a 9” triangle. The pleated linen shades show some ...
Brass
French Neoclassical Style White Glass and Bronze Pendant Light, 1920
Located in Barntrup, DE
A beautiful Neoclassical style white milk glass pendant ceiling light fixture with an ornate bronze frame. France, 1920s. This ado...
Bronze
Large Pair of Maria Theresa Style Crystal 7-Light Wall Sconces, Italy Circa 1950
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Large Pair of Maria Theresa Style Crystal 7-Light Wall Sconces, Italy, Circa 1950s An impressive pair of Italian Maria Theresa-style crystal wall sconces, circa 1950s, notable for t...
Crystal, Brass
Italian Neoclassical Tole Urn Table Lamp Hand Painted Original Parchment Shade
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A magnificent and highly decorative vintage hand painted chinoiserie table lamp, rendered in the Neoclassical / Empire Grand Tour manner. The lamp takes the form of a classical balu...
Wood, Paint
$4,800 / item
1900 Caldwell’s Leaded Glass Light Fixture
Located in New York, NY
Caldwell beautiful leaded glass light fixture with interior lights.
Bronze
$6,800 / item
1900 Caldwell Leaded Glass Light Fixture
Located in New York, NY
1900 Caldwell leaded glass hanging light fixture with interior lights. great condition.
Bronze
Small pair antique copper lanterns with original verdigris patina
Located in Bristol, RI
Small pair of antique copper exterior lanterns. Original patina. Professionally rewired with new glass. They are 16 inches tall and are 8 inches deep from the wall. They are about 6 ...
Copper
Decade Mini Step Light by Dunlin in Weathered Brass, Organic Modern
By DUNLIN
Located in Paddington, NSW
The Perfect Step Light by DUNLIN Introducing the Decade Mini Step Light: Designed in Sydney, Australia by Dunlin, the Decade Mini Wall Light epitomises sophistication, serving as an...
Brass
Caldwell Patinated Bronze Light Fixture with Glass inset Circa 1900
Located in New York, NY
Circa 1900 Caldwell gilt bronze and brown patented light fixture with leaded glass, 6 interior lights. Available 8 items, price per item
Bronze
1920 Large Unusual Leaded Glass Light Fixture
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1920's large unusual shape leaded glass light fixture with (8 interior lights)
Art Glass
1920's Large Leaded Opaline Glass Light Fixture
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1920's large leaded glass light fixture with 8-10 interior lights.
Opaline Glass
1930's French Gilt Bronze Light Fixtures with Opaline Glass
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1930 French gilt bronze light fixture with 2 interior lights, and Opaline glass inset from a Paris Hotel (available also in silver finish)
Bronze
Pair of Neoclassical Torch Sconces in Frosted Glass and Antique Brass
Located in New York, NY
This regal and ornate Pair of Neoclassical Torch Sconces in Frosted Glass and antique brass originates from France during the latter half of...
Brass
Pair Vintage Italian Baluster-form Verde Antico Marble Lamps
Located in San Francisco, CA
each shapely lamp of well-figured verde antico marble featuring an everted neck above an ovoid body resting on a splayed foot over a circular plinth; all raised on a turned ebonized ...
Marble
French Neoclassical Bronze and Leather Urn-Form Peacock Lamp
Located in Stamford, CT
Neoclassical style table lamp in the form of a leather clad urn with bronze peacocks on either side joined by a decorative rope border with circular bosses in the center. The base wi...
Bronze
Italian, Piemontese, Silvered & Gilt Metal & Iron 12-Light Chandelier, ca. 1800
Located in Atlanta, GA
hanging from a gilt metal crown form top with roundels and leaf forms, the later glass bead chains connecting to a central ring sharing the same pattern as the upper crown and issuin...
Metal
Pair of Blanc De Chine Italian Fruit Basket Topiary Table Lamps C1960
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous pair of tall 37 to the top of the finial table lamps with porcelain blanc de chine topiary in fruit baskets with a gilt band over the b...
Metal
$2,498 / item
DUNLIN Mott St Spot Light, Tarnished Raw Brass
By DUNLIN
Located in Paddington, NSW
Handmade in solid brass exclusively for Dunlin Australia A new classic. A heavyweight brass spotlight. -16 cm total length x 10 cm diameter ( shadow line is 1.5cm High- shadow Lin...
Brass
1900's Gilt Bronze Caldwell 8 lights Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1900's Caldwell gilt bronze 8 lights chandelier
Bronze
19th Century French Cut Crystal Chandelier 8 Lights
Located in New York, NY
Circa 19th century cut crystal chandelier with 8 lights
Crystal
Pair of Italian White and Mecca Giltwood Hand Carved Lamp Bases Verona, 1980
Located in Milano, MI
From Verona Italy, a pair of late 20th century hand carved mecca finish and ivory painted bases, suitable to make beautiful bedside table lamps, see the holes suitable for wiring in ...
Pine
A Set of (2) Vintage, Art Deco Style, Alabaster Sconces
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Vintage Alabaster sconces in Art Deco or Neoclassical style. Shades only, no wiring: 10" high, 13" wide and 6 3/4" deep at the widest part. Excellent condition. The price is per s...
Alabaster
Small Verdigris Bronze and Brass Neoclassical Column Lamp
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Small verdigris bronze & brass Neoclassical column lamp. Verdigris patina column and brass plinth base fitted with a European style (no harp or finial) parchment paper shade. Perfect...
Brass, Bronze
Collection of Classic Octagon Closed Bell Pendents
Located in Peekskill, NY
These are nice classic pendents. The shape is a closed bell in an octagon. The look is elegant and up scale. Its milk glass with a unique egg shell finish. It still uses the original...
Milk Glass
1920s Caldwell Gilt Bronze One Light Sconces
Located in New York, NY
Pair of circa 1920’s Caldwell bronze sconces with one light
Bronze
Pair of Neoclassical Giltwood Urn Table Lamps, Fluted Design
Located in Astoria, NY
Pair of Neoclassical Urn Form Giltwood Table Lamps, fluted urn on square plinth, pleated cloth shades. Overall: 26" H x 14" Diameter. Provenance: From a Central Park West Estate.
Fabric, Giltwood
Pair English Neoclassical Orange Ground Ashworth Ironstone Urns, as Lamps
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of English Neoclassical Orange Ground Ironstone Urns Mounted as Lamps Attributed to Ashworth Bros., Hanley, Staffordshire, England, Mid-19th Century...
Brass
$18,000 / item
1900s Caldwell Leaded Glass Light Fixture
Located in New York, NY
Antique circa 1900’s Caldwell large white leaded glass light fixture with interior lights.
Glass
$2,360Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Large Scale Italian Neoclassical Terracotta & Lucite Lamps
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Large Scale Italian Neoclassical Terracotta & Lucite lamps Italy, Circa 1980s Each one a substantial a substantial vase decorated ...
Terracotta, Lucite
$1,950 / item
Workstead Pendolo Flush Mount Small
By Workstead
Located in Floyd, VA
Pendolo Flush Mount is a versatile flush-mount fixture, capable of serving as a down-light or directional wall washer. Available in either Natural Burlap o...
Brass, Bronze, Nickel
Carved Alabaster Shell Shape Sconces, Pair, Unattributed, 1960
Located in New York, NY
Pair of carved alabaster sconces circa 1960, nice original color and viens
Alabaster
1920's Silver Plated Caldwell Sconces with Cut Glass
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920's Caldwell doubler light sconces with molded glass backplate
Bronze
1970s Five Crystal Prisms Swag Pendant Chandelier Neoclassical French Inspired
Located in Miami, FL
1970s French inspired 5 pagoda shaped molded and pressed Glass Ornaments Swag Light Fixture. This is made to plug in and hang from a large ceiling with a 12 Feet swag chain. Each cle...
Crystal, Metal
Vintage Italian Carved Alabaster Urn Table Lamp, Flowers & Leaves
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage Italian hand-carved Alabaster table lamp features baluster urn form with a wreath of flowes and leaves accentuating the top of the urn. The body of the lamp is mounted on ste...
Stone, Alabaster, Brass
$2,649Sale Price|20% Off
Neoclassical Style Brass Floor Lamp in the Style of Maison Jansen
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice neoclassical style floor lamp is made of brass. French Work in the style of Maison Jansen. Base a little bit damaged. Circa 1940
Brass
Finest Quality Cut Crystal Chandelier by F & C Osler, c. 1850
Located in Baltimore, MD
Finest quality twelve-arm, six-light, cut crystal chandelier by F & C Osler, c. 1850. Multi part baluster and tulip form shaft connected to a unique Osler patterned armature, with ...
Crystal
1920s Caldwell Silver Plated Light Fixture with Opaline glass
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1920’s silver plate light fixture neoclassic style with Opaline glass inset and three lights
Silver Plate, Bronze
$45,000 / item
1900 Caldwell Silver Plated 16 Light Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1900 Caldwell 16 lights silver plated chandeliers from a very prominent state in NYC with a beautiful neoclassic design
Silver Plate, Bronze
Chapman Neo-Classical Style Brass and Marble Doric Column Table Lamps, Pair
By Chapman Manufacturing Company
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a classic pair of neo- classical style Doric column form table lamps by Chapman. The lamps are marked and have marble bases. The height listed is to the socket. The shades ar...
Marble, Brass
Pair of French Maison Lancel Bronze Horse Sconces, 2 pairs available
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of French Maison Lancel Bronze Horse Sconces
Brass, Bronze