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.
Russian 19th c. Neo-Classical St. Crystal, Ormolu, Bronze & Glass Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and highly detailed Russian 19th century Neo-Classical st. Crystal, Ormolu, enameled Bronze and Glass chandelier. This most decorative seven light chandelier is centered a...
Crystal, Bronze, Ormolu
Italian 18th Century Neo-Classical St. Giltwood Floor Lamp
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An impressive Italian 18th century Neo-Classical st. patinated wood, giltwood, and faux painted marble floor lamp. The floor lamp is raised by a beautiful square faux painted Verde A...
Wood, Giltwood
Very Fine Hand Carved Wooden Pendant
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very fine hand carved wooden chandelier. Great carving work. France, circa 1900. 4 lights. Dimensions: Height 37" (can be shortened) ...
Wood
French 19th Century Neo-Classical St. Bronze, Ormolu & Glass Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A high quality French 19th century Neo-Classical st. patinated Bronze, Ormolu and Glass chandelier. The six arm nine light chandelier is centered by a striking and richly chased Ormo...
Bronze, Ormolu
French 19th Century Neoclassical Style Ormolu and Vert Patricia Marble Lamp
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking French 19th century Neo-Classical st. ormolu and Vert Patricia marble lamp. The lamp is raised by a square Vert Patricia marble stepped base with fine foliate, berried lau...
Marble, Ormolu
Pair of French 19th Century Neoclassical Bronze, Ormolu and Marble Lamps
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An extremely elegant true pair of French 19th century Neo-Classical st. onyx, ormolu and patinated bronze lamps. Each lamp is raised by an octagonal onyx base with ormolu ball feet, ...
Onyx, Bronze, Ormolu
18th Century 2 lights Regence Wall Lamp in nickel finish
Located in Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine, IDF
Inspired by the Regency style, this arm of light is composed of a central bronze rod, topped by a looped bow whose ribbon forms the upper part. In the center of the stem, a tier topp...
Bronze, Nickel
18th Century 5 lights Louis XVI Wall Lamp in nickel II finish
Located in Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine, IDF
This model is very characteristic of the Louis XVI style, with the symmetry of neo-classicism and some touches of ornaments remaining in the Louis XV style. It is similar to the pair...
Bronze, Nickel
18th Century 5 lights Louis XVI Wall Lamp in nickel & gold M3 finish
Located in Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine, IDF
This Louis XVI-style light fixture features the symmetry characteristic of neoclassicism like the clean lines of a Doric order cartouche, while sporting Louis XV-style ornamentation,...
Bronze, Nickel, Gold
$10,179 / item
19th Century 5 lights Garnier Wall Lamp in gold M finish
Located in Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine, IDF
This wall lamp illustrates with elegance the refinement of the decorative arts of the nineteenth century. Apposed on a large light plate, five curved arms, emerging from a foliage, c...
Gold, Bronze
Italian 19th Century Neoclassical St. Patinated Bronze and Ormolu Lantern
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most unique and high quality Italian 19th century Neo-Classical st. patinated bronze and ormolu hanging lantern. The lantern has three charming and expressive winged cherubs with r...
Bronze, Ormolu
French 19th Century Neoclassical Style Bronze and Ormolu Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and most charming French 19th century Neo-Classical st. patinated bronze and ormolu six light chandelier. The chandelier is centered by a lovely bottom ormolu final below the patinated bronze body decorated with lovely foliate movements. Each of the six ormolu arms display detailed acanthus leaf designs and center the charming and finely detailed patinated bronze cherub who holds his ormolu bow. Leading up three chain is the striking top crown with a beautiful wrap around ormolu lattice band...
Bronze, Ormolu
French 19th Century Neo-Classical Verde Antico Marble Lamp
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An attractive and unusual French 19th century Neo-Classical Verde Antico marble, patinated bronze and ormolu lamp with all original gilt & patina throughout. The lamp has a triangula...
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
French 19th Century Neo-Classical St. Lamp
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A very attractive 19th century Neo-Classical st. metal lamp with a patinated bronze finish. The lamp is raised on a square base with a bronze color border of acanthus leaves. Above i...
Metal, Bronze
Bronze and Gilt Bronze Lamp Base
Located in Atlanta, GA
A superb bronze and gilt bronze lamp table lamp base. Black marble plinth and lamp height of 19", France, circa 1910 Dimensions: Total H 34" D 7.5" W 10" 2 lights CW4156.
Marble, Bronze
Pair of French 19th Century Neo-Classical St. Bronze and Ormolu Sconces
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking and most unique pair of French 19th century Neo-Classical st. patinated bronze and ormolu sconces. Each two arm sconce is centered by a most elegant tapered central suppor...
Bronze, Ormolu
French 19th Century Neo-Classical St. Patinated Bronze and Ormolu Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A beautiful and unique French 19th century Neo-Classical st. patinated bronze and ormolu chandelier. The five arm chandelier is centered by a striking patinated bronze ball with a fi...
Bronze, Ormolu
French 19th Century Neoclassical Style Patinated Bronze and Ormolu Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome French 19th century neo-classical st. patinated bronze and ormolu six arm chandelier. The chandelier is centered by a striking inverted foliate acorn bottom finial amidst ...
Bronze, 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...
Ormolu
Pair of French Mid 19th Century Neo-Classical St. Candelabra Lamps
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A sensational and most elegant pair of French mid 19th century Neo-Classical st. four arm electrified candelabras in ormolu and silvered bronze. The pair are raised by circular ormol...
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...
Ormolu
Italian Neoclassical Carved Wood and Bronze Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
Italian Neoclassical carved wood chandelier with a painted and parcel gilt finish and bronze roping.
Bronze
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...
Giltwood
Pair of Dutch Style Candlesticks, 18th Century, Bronze
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair of Dutch style candlesticks. S. XVIII Bronze. Electrified like lamps. Pair of Dutch-style candlesticks converted into lamp bases. They have a turned structure, typical of the...
Bronze, Other
French 19th Century Finial Lamp with Letter Shade
Located in Pembroke, MA
Painted and gilded wood finial that has been electrified to be a lamp. The shade is composed of original French 19th century written letters, making a very elegant and unusual piece.
Wood
Pair of gilt brass and bronze bottle-shaped lamps, circa 1880
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of gilt brass and bronze bottle-shaped lamps with Etruscan style handles, standing on a Chinese style circular openwork base. The belly is decorated with a discreet fluted friez...
Ormolu, Sheet Metal
Pair of Russian Neoclassical Gilt and Patinated Bronze Sphinx Candlesticks
Located in Montreal, QC
Pair of Russian neoclassical gilt and patinated bronze sphinx candlesticks resting on a marble base.
Bronze
Fine Gilt Bronze and Crystal Chandelier Attributed to Gagneau Freres
Located in Montreal, QC
Very fine Louis XVI style gilt bronze and crystal 8 light chandelier attributed to Gagneau Freres, Paris . The cast bronze structure is gilt with a soft matt gilding and finely ch...
Bronze
$3,199Sale Price|51% Off
20th Century Classicist Style Swedish Empire Ceiling Candelabra
Located in Berlin, DE
Swedish Empire ceiling candelabra in classicist style. Polished brass and facet-ground prism hangings.
Crystal, Brass
Pair of Large Late 18th Century Plated Neoclassical Candlesticks
Located in Montreal, QC
This imposing pair seem to me to be of Swedish origin although there is no mark of any description. They are unusually large and are not at all Ecclesiastical in ornament which sugge...
pair of French 19th century Neo-Classical st. marble and Ormolu lamps
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking and most decorative pair of French 19th century Neo-Classical st. Blue Turquin, white Carrara marble and Ormolu candlestick lamps. This stunning and uniquely scaled pair o...
Marble, Ormolu
20th Century Classicist Style Swedish Empire Ceiling Candelabra
Located in Berlin, DE
Swedish Empire ceiling candelabra in classicist style. Polished, silvered brass and facett-ground prism hangings. (F-Ra-81).
Crystal, Brass
20th Century Classicist Style Girandole
Located in Berlin, DE
Marble with brass connections and facetted handwired, prism cords in the course, drops behang. (T-Hud-20).
Marble, Brass
Set of Three Gilt Bronze and Cut Glass Flush Mount, Signed J. Stone, England
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Set of three gilt bronze and cut glass flush mount. Signed J. Stone. England, early 20th century.
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.
Crystal
pair of French 19th century Neo-Classical st. Ormolu and Crystal lamps
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An attractive and most decorative pair of French 19th century Neo-Classical st. Ormolu and Crystal lamps. Each lovely lamp is raised on a squared Ormolu base with a Coeur-de-Rai desi...
Crystal, Ormolu
Lamp Decorated with Brass Stilt Decors, circa 1950
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Lamp decorated with brass stilt decors, circa 1950.
Brass
Baltic 19th Century Neo-Classical St. Ormolu And Crystal Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A very unique and elegant Baltic 19th century Neo-Classical st. Ormolu and Crystal chandelier. This beautiful eight arm square chandelier has a highly detailed pierced Ormolu central...
Crystal, Ormolu
Neoclassical Style Table Lamp with Winged Cherub Figure
Located in Dublin 8, IE
Early 20th century table lamp in the Neoclassical style with winged cherub figure sitting above a heavy white cylindrical column base complete with gilt ...
Brass
French 19th Century Neo-Classical St. Patinated Bronze and Ormolu Lamp
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An impressive and large scale French 19th century neo-classical st. patinated bronze and ormolu lamp. The lamp is raised by an elegant square ormolu base with a fine mottled border b...
Bronze, Ormolu
Pair of French 19th Century Neoclassical Style ‘Aux Victoires’ Candelabra Lamps
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning pair of French 19th century Neo-Classical st. ormolu, patinated bronze and Rouge Royale marble 'Aux Victoires' candelabra lamps. Each lamp is raised by four fine reeded to...
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Pair of French 19th Century Neoclassical St. Ormolu Three-Arm Sconces
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An impressive large scale pair of French 19th century Neo-Classical st. ormolu sconces. Each three arm sconce is centered by charming finely detailed oak leaves and acorns below the ...
Ormolu
Italian 19th Century Neoclassical Patinated Eight-Arm Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A wonderful and most unique Italian 19th century Neo-Classical patinated eight arm chandelier. The chandelier is centered by a lovely foliate bottom inverted finial below striking Le...
Wood
Pair of Russian Early 19th Century Neoclassical Style Three Arm Girandole Lamps
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most elegant pair of Russian early 19th century Neo-Classical st. ormolu, crystal and white Carrara marble three arm Girandole lamps. Each Girandole is raised by a square white Car...
Crystal, Carrara Marble, Ormolu
Pair of French Mid-19th Century Neoclassical Bronze, Ormolu and Marble Lamps
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most impressive and high quality pair of French mid 19th century neo-classical st. patinated bronze, ormolu and black Belgian marble five arm candelabras lamps. Each lamp is raised...
Belgian Black Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
French 19th Century Neoclassical Style Maple and Ormolu Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exceptional French 19th century Neo-Classical st. maple and ormolu chandelier. The chandelier is centered by a fine bottom inverted finial of the eternal flame amidst carved maple...
Ormolu
French 19th Century Neoclassical Style Red Marble and Ormolu Lamp
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome French 19th century neo-classical st. red marble and ormolu lamp. The lamp is raised by a triangular marble base with concave sides, a mottled border and a bottom ormolu f...
Marble, Ormolu
1910 Silver Plate Bronze and Hurricane Glass Sconces Two Lights
Located in New York, NY
Circa 1910 Hurricane glass sconces with silver plate bronze body, two lights
Silver Plate
Alabaster Urn Lamp
Located in Savannah, GA
A neoclassical alabaster urn lamp, France, early 20th century. 5 inches wide by 12 ⅜ inches tall Good overall with small chips and flecks at edges, staining.
Alabaster
Neoclassical Alabaster Amphora Shade Urn Lamp with Handles
Located in Barcelona, ES
Carved Alabaster Amphora Shaped Tall Table Lamp, Spain, 1930s-1940s This Art Deco period alabaster lamp has an elegant neoclassical design with Art Deco accents. Twin Handles at bot...
Alabaster
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. ...
Silver, Vermeil
Price Upon Request
Unique Antique American Neoclassical Gilt and Patina Bronze Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A unique antique American Caldwell neoclassical circular chandelier in gilt and patinated bronze, suspended by four chains attached to a ceiling canopy decorated with acanthus relief...
Bronze