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Neoclassical Lighting

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
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 Lighting

Materials

Silver, Bronze

19th Century Amethyst Cut Crystal Lamp
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful hand cut crystal lamp with hand painted parchment shade. Newly wired. On a double click "low" and "high." Most beautiful color of Lilac.
Category

19th Century Irish Antique Neoclassical Lighting

Materials

Crystal

19th Century French Silvered Bronze Girondols
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An "almost" pair. One is slightly taller than the other. Not terribly noticeable. Base diameter is 7 inches.
Category

19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Lighting

Materials

Silver Plate, Bronze

19th Century French Exotic Stone and Bronze Lamp
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The marble is possibly Blue John stone. Lamp was originally purchased at Sotheby's in New York City. The overall body width is 9" wide. The custom parc...
Category

19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Lighting

Materials

Marble, Bronze

19th Century French Zinc Floor Lamps
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th century zinc pricket sticks converted to floor lamps. New custom shades and wiring. The custom parchment shade is 11.5' in height and 20.5" in diameter.
Category

19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Lighting

Materials

Zinc

Pair of 18th Century French Bronze and Marble Table Lamps
Located in Los Angeles, CA
18th Century bronze and marble statuettes. Converted to lamps with custom shades.
Category

18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Lighting

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Maison Bagues “Palm Tree” Bronze Floor Lamp
Located in Miami, FL
Maison Bagues Bronze Floor Lamp, Palm tree form. US rewired 1 socket, 100 watt max bulb.
Category

1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Monumental Two-Tiered 12-Light Silvered Chandelier w/ Crown
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Monumental size 12-light, two-tiered silvered chandelier. The chandelier is adorned with a crown on top and cherub faces throughout. The fixture is newly rewired and includes chain...
Category

1930s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Lighting

Materials

Metal

Neo-Classical Style Black And Gilt Dolphin Frederick Cooper Table Lamps - Pairuu
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of black neo-classical lamps with gilt dolphins by Frederick Cooper. They are in working order and very good condition.
Category

Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Lighting

Materials

Metal

Palatial Pair of Maitland Smith Bronze Table Lamps with Illuminated Orbs
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Impressive ornate pair of very fancy table lamps having shell orbs that are an additional source of light with a primary single socket above. Bronze lions with rings in their mouths...
Category

1990s Philippine Neoclassical Lighting

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Late 20th Century Neoclassic Maitland-Smith Porcelain Lamp Serpentine Lion Heads
Located in Topeka, KS
Marvelous vintage Neoclassic Maitland-Smith porcelain lamp with serpentine style lion head details and original off-white pleated fabric hard back shade. Beautiful condition, keeping...
Category

Late 20th Century Philippine Neoclassical Lighting

Materials

Brass

Vintage Bronze And Glass Chandelier Lantern
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful, Italian vintage bronze, brass and glass lantern. The fixture consists of a bronze frame with embossed, filagreed brass details and a glass shade suspended by 3 embossed c...
Category

1960s Vintage Neoclassical Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Pair Two Light Gilt and Painted Wheat Tole' Sconces, Italian Circa 1950
Located in San Francisco, CA
Two-arm carved wood and painted metal sconces with a wheat motif. Gilt and Parcel Painted sconces sockets are candleabra bases able to hold up to 60 watts each socket. Recently Rew...
Category

20th Century Italian Neoclassical Lighting

Materials

Metal

Neo Classic Dolphin Brass Marble Library Table Table
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Neoclassical style brass dolphin motif and marble table or desk lamp. Nicely chased detailing on brass dolphins, center portion solid round green marble, resting on black leather wra...
Category

1960s European Vintage Neoclassical Lighting

Materials

Marble, Brass

Pair of Neoclassical Style Carved Alabaster Artichoke Lamps
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Spectacular pair of Italian hand-carved alabaster or onyx marble table lamps made in the neoclassical taste. The lamps feature a dramatic dark dyed finish that showcases the rich var...
Category

20th Century Italian Neoclassical Lighting

Materials

Alabaster, Metal

French Neoclassical Cut Crystal Girandole or Table Lamp
Located in Plainview, NY
A beautiful and decorative French cut crystal in white and prink girandole or table lamp. The frame is mad of antiqued style metal and the lamp is decorate with droplets and white an...
Category

1980s French Vintage Neoclassical Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Metal

Impressive Maison Baguès Pair of Bronze Sconces, 3 Pairs Available
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of heavy and solid bronze wall sconces by Maison Baguès featuring a hand holding a glass shade torch. Original old glass shade torch, 5" diam. 4" diameter back plate. 75W/bul...
Category

20th Century French Neoclassical Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Neoclassical white-gold Murano glass sconces - a pair
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of Neoclassical style Murano glass wall sconces, attributed to Venini, Italy 1970s. The Mid Century sconces are in hand blown Murano glass. They have a milk white bottom vase an...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Lighting

Materials

Gold Plate

Liberty Style Chandelier Centre Light
Located in Cranbrook, Kent
Liberty Style Chandelier Center Light Made around the turn of the century incorporating Classical style with Art Nouveau influences, the eight branch arm...
Category

Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Lighting

Materials

Brass

Neo-Classical Style Carved Wood Sconces W/ Urns & Draping Laurel Garland -Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a large scale neo-classical style carved wood sconces attributed to Hendrix Allardyce. The wiring and candle covers are new and in working order. Note the lovely gilt urns wi...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Lighting

Materials

Metal

Maria Theresa Chandelier in Transparent Shiny Murano Glass 1980s Venice Italy
Located in Villaverla, IT
Maria Theresa Chandelier in Transparent Shiny Murano Glass 1980s Venice Italy. This elegant Maria Teresa chandelier, entirely handmade in Murano – the worldwide known Venetian island...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Lighting

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Cut Glass, Murano Glass

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 Lighting

Materials

Brass

Pair of Fornasetti Architecture Lamps
Located in Jersey City, NJ
Rare and vintage pair of iconic Piero Fornasetti architecture lamps from a the series Architecture. American wired.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Lighting

Materials

Brass

Pair Of Caldwell Gilt Bronze Wall Sconces
Located in Norwood, NJ
Antique gilt bronze electrified sconces, American, circa 1910. Floral design. Beautiful garland hangs from each light. Attributed to E.F. Caldwell & Co.
Category

1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Lighting

Materials

Bronze

French Neoclassic Painted Tole & Brass Lantern, mid 19th century
Located in Atlanta, GA
This 4 sided lantern retains its period paint with reverse tapering of upper and lower, the lower section with an opening door, the top with a circular vent, now wired for electricity
Category

1840s French Antique Neoclassical Lighting

Materials

Metal

Pair of Four Sides Quality Solid Brass Hanging Lanterns
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Elegant four sides hanging lantern made of solid brass with, seeded glass, and three 40/watt lights. suitable for webs location . Ready to use, brass canopies included.
Category

20th Century American Neoclassical Lighting

Materials

Brass

Pair Of Large NeoClassical Torchere Uplighters
Located in London, GB
A pair of large English carved and painted Neo-Classical torcheres. In the original paints and with concealed aluminium dish uplighters at the top. Provenance: The late Robert Maxwell
Category

1950s English Vintage Neoclassical Lighting

Materials

Beech

A fine French Empire Chandelier, circa 1820
Located in New Haven, CT
An elegant 12 arm French pendant from the 1st Empire Period. The lead crystal prisms are all original and have a subtle grey/purple hue. The chandelier resembles a four tier fountain...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Lighting

Materials

Ormolu

1920's Caldwell gilt bronze sconces
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1920's Caldwell gilt bronze double light sconces
Category

1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Lighting

Materials

Bronze

1920's Caldwell Mirrored Backplate Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1920's Caldwell gilt bronze sconces with etched mirrors and two lights
Category

1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Gilt Bronze Heron by Maison Baguès
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This decorative heron lamp is made of gilt bronze. This is a work by famous French designer Maison Baguès. Circa 1970.   
Category

20th Century French Neoclassical Lighting

Materials

Bronze

A Tall Brass Corinthian Column Table Lamp
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
A Tall Brass Corinthian Column Table Lamp This is a very attractive lamp it has a heavy single corinthian style column set on a stepped rectangular base, it comes with a neutral c...
Category

1920s Vintage Neoclassical Lighting

Materials

Brass

1920's small silver plated sconces with mirrors
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920's silver plated sconces with beveled mirror backplate with two lights
Category

1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Lighting

Materials

Bronze

A pair of circa 1920's Beveled Cobalt mirror backplate sconces.
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920's Caldwell double light silver plated sconces with cobalt mirrored backplate
Category

1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Vintage Pair of Small Mustard & Black Tole Table Lamps
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Quaint pair of vintage old world tole table lamps in a great combination of mustard gold and black decoration. Base is 4.5 w Shade is 12" diameter
Category

1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Lighting

Materials

Metal

a pair of circa 1920's Caldwell Patinated bronze sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920's dark patinated bronze sconces
Category

1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Lighting

Materials

Bronze

A circa 1930's French light fixture with molded cut crystal dome
Located in New York, NY
A large set from the Astoria Waldorf Hotel in NYC, circa 1930's French gilt bronze flush mount light fixtures with molded crystal inset.2 interior lights.
Category

1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

Italian Six Light Painted Wood and Iron Chandelier
Located in Bradenton, FL
An Italian six arm chandelier comprised of antique elements. Aged patina and neutral colors. Scrolling wrought iron arms with carved and turned grey painted wood baluster, gilt wood ...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Lighting

Materials

Iron

Workstead Helios ADA Sconce in Hand Finished Bronze
Located in Hudson, NY
A fixed, wall-mounted version of our classic Helios table lamp, this ADA compliant fixture is a sculptural object d’art. This sconce celebrates the celestial while maintaining a mini...
Category

2010s American Neoclassical Lighting

Materials

Brass, Bronze, Nickel

Wonderful Regency Three-Light Vaughan Bell Jar Glass & Brass Lantern Greek Key
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful Regency / Neoclassical Three Candelabra Light Vaughan Bell Jar Glass & Brass Lantern With Greek Key Pattern Etched On Both The Bell And Top Glass Shade Rewired And Ready...
Category

20th Century Neoclassical Lighting

Materials

Brass

Pair Italian Neoclassical Carved Giltwood Two-Light Sconces
Located in New York, NY
Pair of antique Italian carved giltwood wall lights in the neoclassicals style.
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Lighting

Materials

Wood

1920's Leaded Opaline glass light fixtures
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1920's leaded glass light fixture with 8 interior lights.
Category

1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Lighting

Materials

Opaline Glass

1920's Caldwell Mirrored Backplate Sconces with cherubs
Located in New York, NY
A pair of 1920’s Caldwell gilt bronze and mirrored backplate sconces with cherubs
Category

1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Vintage Contemporary Demilune 5 Light Wall Sconce Grecian Capital 29"
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage modern / contemporary wall sconce featuring Grecian style capital / column with half round form and five lights with slag glass panels. Dimensions: 29” x 12.75” x 7” (Width ...
Category

Late 20th Century Neoclassical Lighting

Materials

Composition

Workstead Orbit Sconce in Hewn Brass
Located in Hudson, NY
The Orbit sconce is a modern interpretation of an early American candle form with a reflective spun brass disc rotating 320 degrees, the sconce can act as both a reflector and deflec...
Category

2010s American Neoclassical Lighting

Materials

Brass, Bronze, Nickel

1920s Caldwell Gilt Bronze Sconces
Located in New York, NY
Pair of circa 1920's Caldwell gilt bronze sconces with double arms
Category

1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Vintage neoclassical pendant light, 1950s
Located in HEVERLEE, BE
Vintage neoclassical style pendant light from the 1950s. Gilt metal shade holder and decorated matte glass. Tested and ready for use with a regular E27 light bulb holder. 1950s - ...
Category

1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Lighting

Materials

Metal

1920's Caldwell double light sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920's Caldwell double light sconces
Category

1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Italian Giltwood Carved Lamps on Faux Marble Bases
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Carved Giltwood Italian Neoclassical style lamps on faux marble bases. The lamps are wired and in working condition. No shades included.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Lighting

Materials

Giltwood, Paint

Pair of Giltwood Neoclassical Style Italian Urn Lamps C. 1930
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Italian Neoclassical style giltwood urn lamps with carved acanthus leaves. The urns sit on plinth bases. The lamps are both in working condition.
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Lighting

Materials

Giltwood

1920s Caldwell Silver Plated Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920’s Caldwell neoclassic style silver plated engraved sconces with two lights. Grapes on shield design
Category

1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Lighting

Materials

Silver Plate, Bronze

1920's Caldwell sconces with etched mirrored backplate
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920's Caldwell double light sconces with etched mirrored backplate
Category

1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Lighting

Materials

Bronze

1920's Neoclassic Style Gilt Bronze One light Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of 1920’s gilt bronze sconces neoclassic style with one light
Category

1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Lighting

Materials

Bronze

1920's Neoclassic Style Gilt Bronze Sconces
Located in New York, NY
Pair of circa 1920's gilt bronze neoclassic style double light sconces
Category

1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Lighting

Materials

Bronze

a pair of circa 1920's Caldwell sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920's Caldwell silver plated sconces
Category

1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Lighting

Materials

Bronze

1920s Large Caldwell Silver Plated Sconces with thee lights
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920’s large Caldwell silver plated sconces with 3 lights unusual size
Category

1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Lighting

Materials

Silver Plate, Bronze

a pair of circa 1920's Caldwell sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920's Caldwell silver plated sconces
Category

1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Lighting

Materials

Bronze

a pair of circa 1920's Caldwell silver plated sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920's silver plated Caldwell sconces with two lights
Category

1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Neoclassical lighting for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Neoclassical lighting 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 lighting created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include lighting, decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, bronze and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Neoclassical lighting made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original lighting, popular names associated with this style include Workstead, Edward F. Caldwell & Co., Maison Jansen, and Gherardo Degli Albizzi. 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 lighting differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $95 and tops out at $195,000 while the average work can sell for $3,259.

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