Neoclassical Lighting
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.
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Lighting
Alabaster, Brass, Bronze, Wire
20th Century French Neoclassical Lighting
Brass
1920s Swedish Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Silver Plate
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Lighting
Alabaster
20th Century American Neoclassical Lighting
Glass
20th Century American Neoclassical Lighting
Copper
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Bronze
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Silver Plate
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Lighting
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Lighting
Brass
1990s American Neoclassical Lighting
Metal
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Bronze
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Lighting
Brass, Iron
1990s French Neoclassical Lighting
Metal
20th Century American Neoclassical Lighting
Marble, Bronze
1890s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Lighting
Brass
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Bronze
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Enamel
1890s French Antique Neoclassical Lighting
Alabaster, Bronze
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Lighting
Alabaster, Brass, Bronze
2010s American Neoclassical Lighting
Enamel
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Brass
1930s American Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Bronze
20th Century French Neoclassical Lighting
Crystal
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Metal, Gold Leaf
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Lighting
Bronze
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Bronze
2010s American Neoclassical Lighting
Brass, Bronze, Nickel
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Alabaster, Bronze
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Gold, Brass
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Lighting
Brass
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Lighting
Bronze, Brass
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Metal
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Bronze
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Bronze
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Brass
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Alabaster, Metal, Metallic Thread, Brass
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Metal
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Crystal, Metal
1990s Italian Neoclassical Lighting
Porcelain, Fabric
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Brass, Bronze
20th Century American Neoclassical Lighting
Stained Glass
Early 1900s American Antique Neoclassical Lighting
Bronze
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Bronze
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Lighting
Metal, Bronze
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Silver Plate, Bronze
1870s Italian Antique Neoclassical Lighting
Metal, Wrought Iron
20th Century French Neoclassical Lighting
Brass, Bronze
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Lighting
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Lighting
Rock Crystal, Marble, Bronze
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Lighting
Porcelain
2010s Neoclassical Lighting
Metal
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Lighting
Carrara Marble, Marble, Brass
20th Century Neoclassical Lighting
Brass
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Lighting
Bronze
20th Century American Neoclassical Lighting
Brass, Copper
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Brass
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Lighting
Crystal, Bronze
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Lighting
Brass