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.
Vintage Italian Neoclassical Hollywood Regency Style Sconces, Set of 3
Located in Hamburg, DE
Elegant wall sconces from Italy in neoclassical and Hollywood Regency style. The set consists of three wall sconces in neoclassical style. The design imitates classic wall candle ho...
Metal
$2,220Sale Price|40% Off
Louis XVI Revival Style French Crystal and Bronze Chandelier
Located in Van Nuys, CA
A breathtaking French crystal and bronze chandelier, adorned with delicate crystal flowers and cascading tiers of droplets. Featuring eight lights, this exquisite piece showcases a f...
Crystal, Bronze
Wonderful Caldwell Bronze Panel Glass Regency Neoclassical Lantern Fixture
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful large E.F. Caldwell Style Bronze with Panel Glass Inset on Top and Egg Shaped Bottom with A Beautiful Crown and Central Band Regency, Empire, Neoclassical lantern chandel...
Bronze
Mid-20th Century French Style Patinated Brass and Glass Three-Light Lantern
Located in Barntrup, DE
French-style Neoclassical lantern in patinated brass and glass, three-light suspended fixture. A refined mid-20th-century lantern in the French Neoclassical style, crafted in patina...
Brass
Stiffel Hollywood Regency Obelisk Table Lamp, Brass and Marble
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage sculptural obelisk form table lamp was made by Stiffel in Hollywood Regency style; similar designs were created for Stiffel and other manufacturers by Tommi Parzinger. The l...
Marble, Brass
$1,050Sale Price|67% Off
Late 19th Historistic ceiling lamp with original glass shades
Located in Wien, Au
Late 19th Historistic ceiling lamp with original glass shades
Brass
Apollo Grand Circular Laurel Leaf Chandelier in Gilt Wrought Iron
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Apollo Grand Circular Laurel Leaf Chandelier in Gilt Wrought Iron An impressive and highly decorative circular chandelier inspired by the neoclassical laurel wreath motif, executed ...
Metal
Italian Brass and Bronze Cherub Sconce Electrified Wall Light, 1950s
Located in Barntrup, DE
Beautiful Italian electrified wall sconce, originally candlestick made of brass and bronze in the 1950s. The wall panel is accented with neoclassical motifs on a textured surface. Th...
Brass, Bronze
$3,800 / set
1900s Hurricane Glass Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1900 traditional gild bronze and silver plate finish sconces with hurricane glass inset. Williamsburg style
Bronze
$168Sale Price|20% Off
Small Italian Lamp in White Marble, circa 1920
Located in VÉZELAY, FR
Small desk/bedside lamp in white/beige marble with chiseled bronze edge. Cream and gold lampshade. Neoclassical style, Italy, circa 1920. In very good condition, electricity redone...
Marble, Bronze
20th Century Italian Six-Light Chandelier in Silvered Wood & Iron
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautifully aged Italian chandelier featuring a carved silvered wood central column with fluted and gadrooned details. Six hand-forged iron arms extend in graceful scrolls, each su...
Iron, Silver
Antique French Amber Color Alabaster and Brass Pendant Light, 1920
Located in Barntrup, DE
An adorable French pendant light featuring an alabaster shade in a lovely orange hue with gray and cream veining. The lampshade - bowl is suspended from three ornate brass chains, wh...
Alabaster, Brass
$3,800 / set
1920's Caldwell Silver Plated One Light Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920's Caldwell silver plated one light sconces
Bronze
Classical Brass Table Lamp by Chapman c. 1970's
By Chapman Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Brass table lamp having a bulbous form base, with a candlestick column that supports two pull chain sockets. The lamp includes it's original paper shade which shows minor wear, norma...
Brass
Large Neo-classical Medici Style Alabaster Urn Table Lamps, Pair
Located in Miami, FL
Large Neo-classical Medici Style Alabaster Urn Table Lamps, Pair Offered for sale is a pair of carved Italian neoclassical Medici-style alabaster urns mounted as table lamps. The l...
Alabaster, Wire
$1,213Sale Price|20% Off
Pair of Medicis Brass Tables Lamps Attributed to Maison Charles, France 1960;
Located in Brussels, BE
Elegant pair of neoclassical brass table lamps with original black silk lampshades. The interior of the lampshades is gold leaf. The lamps presenting a Medicis urn with a palmtree. A...
Brass
Pair of 19th Century French Louis XVI Marble and Gilt Bronze Cassolette Lamps
Located in Dallas, TX
Bring refined French elegance to a living room, bedroom, or library with this striking pair of antique cassolettes converted into table lamps. Crafted in France circa 1870, each neoc...
Marble, Bronze
Vintage French Neoclassical Style Blue Porcelain Urn Form Brass Table Lamp
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Neoclassical Style Blue Porcelain Urn Form Brass Table Lamp. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 36" H (to finial) x 24.5" H (to light socket) x 6.5" W x 6.5" D. {3-...
Porcelain
Pair of Maison Jansen Style 2 patina brass and gun metal Wall Sonces
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of Maison Jansen Style 2 patina brass and gun metal Wall Sonces. Original White opaline glass shades Backplate is 3.5 diameter.
Bronze, Steel
Pair of Carved Alabaster Columnar Lamps with Ionic Capitals
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of columnar-form table lamps, of carved alabaster, each a round, fluted, tapered column, with Ionic capital, on round foot, raised on square graduated plinth bases. Stock ID:...
Alabaster
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
Italian Table Lamp Mangani Porcelain faux Malachite Gilt bronze Neoclassical
Located in Wommelgem, VAN
Mid Century Italian table lamp vase lamp with faux Malachite Style: Neoclassical, Empire, Antique, Vintage, Classic, Mid Century, Louis XVI, Traditional. Design by Mangani, Florence ...
Malachite, Bronze
Pair of Hollywood Regency Giltwood & Ebony Urn Form Table Lamps
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Pair of Hollywood Regency Giltwood & Ebony Urn Form Table Lamps.
Giltwood
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
$2,147Sale Price|20% Off
Sunburst Crown Light Fixture in Gilt Wrought Iron and Glass, Spain, 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Sunburst Crown Light Fixture, Gilt Iron, Gold Leaf, Pressed Glass Eye-catching neoclassical style sunburst ceiling light fixture from the Mid-Cent...
Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf
1900 Caldwell Bronze and Leaded Glass Large Lantern
Located in New York, NY
circa 1900 Caldwell patinated bronze and leaded glass large lantern with interior lights (8 Edison base)
Bronze
Wonderful Regency Three-Light Vaughan Bell Jar Glass & Brass Lantern Greek Key
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful Regency / Neoclassical Three Candelabra Light Etched Bell Jar Glass & Patinated Black Brass Lantern With Greek Key Pattern Lantern Fixture, In The Manner Of Vaughan Designs
Brass
Wonderful Vintage Large Brass Bronze Glass Edwardian Hexagon Lantern Fixture
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful Extremely Large Vintage Brass / Bronze Regency 6 Candelabra Light Lantern Neoclassical Hexagon Shaped Fixture Having Glass Panels Inset And Finished With Finials In The T...
Brass, Bronze
Neoclassical Pair of Gilt Bronze Bouillotte Lamps, France, Early 20th Century
Located in Bochum, NRW
A distinguished pair of early 20th-century French Bouillotte table lamps in gilt bronze, embodying the elegance and symmetry of neoclassical design. Crafted with substantial weight ...
Metal, Brass
3 Pairs of Italian Neoclassical Giltwood Large Wall Lights with Shades
Located in CA, CA
Superb set of Italian Neoclassical wall sconces in gilt wood. Sold per pair
Giltwood
Maison Baguès Bronze and Enamel 'Feuillage' 3-Light Wall Sconces France, Pair
Located in Miami, FL
Superb pair of Maison Baguès 3 lights wall sconces in great bronze quality and colorful enamel. Both came from the same house. Original foil label on the reverse, Baguès, Paris. Pe...
Bronze, Enamel
Swedish Grace nickel silver table lamp, CG Hallberg, Stockholm, Sweden, 1920s
By CG Hallberg
Located in Forserum, SE
A beautiful Scandinavian neoclassical table lamp from the 1920s, produced by the renowned Swedish silversmithing company CG Hallberg in Stockholm. It features a gracefully slender st...
Silver Plate
Mid-Century Gilt Brass Stylized Plane Tree Leaf Wall Sconce
Located in Marinha Grande, PT
Elegant sculptural wall sconce in gilt brass designed as a stylized plane tree leaf. The deeply incised veining and organic silhouette create a refined botanical composition characte...
Brass
Neoclassical Style Ivory Color Alabaster Amphora Shaped Table Lamp
Located in Barntrup, DE
Neoclassical style amphora-shaped ivory and light brown veined alabaster lamp, Italy, circa the 1930s. Impressive Italian Neoclassical style amphora-shaped lamp made of beautifully v...
Alabaster
Wonderful French Bronze Crystal Neoclassical Empire Ormolu Lantern Chandelier
By Baccarat
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful French bronze and diamond cut crystal neoclassical or Empire ormolu-mounted Lantern chandelier with three candelabra lights. In the manner of Baccarat. Measures: 21" H x...
Crystal, Bronze
Fine Pair Of Neoclassical Style Urn Form Table Lamps
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A refined and very decorative pair of metal lamps in a very well done timeworn paint application in Tan and Bone. With lovely proportions and elegant presentation, the Urn has folia...
Metal
1920s Leaded Glass Light Fixture
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1920's medium size leaded glass chandelier with flowers ornaments on body
Glass
19th Century Swedish Neoclassical Chandelier
Located in Essex, MA
19th Century Swedish Neoclassical 5 Arm Chandelier. All original parts. Five arms issue from gilded glass bowl. Rings with jewels surround arms and structure. Hand blown and cut ...
Blown Glass
French Wrought Iron Floor Lamp, 1940
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This exquisite mid-century floor lamp is a stunning example of craftsmanship from France, produced in the 1940s. Crafted from black forged iron, the lamp features beautifully designe...
Wrought Iron
Interior Table Lamps Set 2 Vintage Bedside Lamps Floral Home Lighting
Located in Bastogne, BE
Pair of vintage table lamps with a frosted glass bell-shaped lampshade on an elegant, smoothly curved brass leg. The stable round base ensures safety and comfort of use of the table...
Brass
Historistic crystal basket chandelier vienna around 1890s
Located in Wien, Au
Historistic crystal basket chandelier vienna around 1890s Original crystal glass Brass polished and stove enameled
Brass
Late 19th Century French Bronze and Glass Table Lamp by A. N. Cain
Located in Barntrup, DE
A sculptural late 19th-century French bronze lamp by Auguste Nicolas Cain, richly modeled with animalier motifs, originally conceived as a candlestick. This refined French table lam...
Bronze
Pair Of Elegant French Neoclassical Style Figural Gilt Bronze Wall Sconces
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An exceptional and dramatic Sconce Pair with elegant Classical forms with tall curved supports and three ribbed and scrolled arms with sockets and bobeches. The central light is in t...
Bronze
French Neoclassical Style Amber Alabaster and Frosted Glass Chandelier, 1920
Located in Barntrup, DE
French Neoclassical amber alabaster chandelier featuring decorative glass shades and bronze accents. An elegant French Neoclassical chandelier from the early 20th century, featuring...
Alabaster, Bronze
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
Marbro Neoclassical Exotic Marble & Dore Bronze Table Lamp, 1950s
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Marbro Exotic Marble & Dore Bronze Table Lamp Additional information: Materials: Bronze, Marble Color: Amber Brand: The Marbro Lamp Compa...
Marble, Bronze
A NEOCLASSICAL SHABBY-CHIC Stone TABLE LAMP in Albert TORMOS Style, France 1970
Located in PARIS, FR
A massive and elegant recomposed stone table lamp, Art-Deco, Neoclassical, Shabby-Chic, impressive heavy piece of recomposed stone, reinterpreting the shapes and volumes of classic a...
Stone
$26,500
Billiard/Pool Table Light
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Extraordinary Billiard Chandelier, having solid turned bronze frame and Tiffany style shades (the shades are of a later manufacture). Dimensions: Height 75" (can be shortened) Wi...
Brass
Barovier Toso Neoclassic Obelisk Iridize & Gold Infused Murano Glass Table Lamps
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful pair of large monumental table lamps or side table lamps. Made of iridize and gold infused Murano glass, made by Barovier & Toso Murano, Italy. Each light requires one Euro...
Metal, Brass
$14,850Sale Price / set|25% Off
Fine Pair French 19th Century Neoclassical Style Gilt Bronze Putto Wall Lights
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine and charming pair of French 19th century neoclassical style figural gilt-bronze five-light wall sconces. Each wall light depicting a putto with his torso leaning forward ...
Bronze
Antique 19th Century Neoclassical Baccarat Crystal and Glass 36-Light Chandelier
By Baccarat
Located in Madrid, ES
A grand 19th century French Baccarat crystal 36-light, triple-tier chandelier. At over one meter high and wide, this large and impressive style of crystal chandelier was especially p...
Crystal, Metal
1920's Caldwell Gilt Bronze Light Fixture with Opaline Glass
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1920's Caldwell neoclassic style light fixtures with beautiful Opaline glass inset.
Bronze
Bronze colored Table Top Torchiere Lamp with Shade
Located in Pasadena, TX
This is a modern table lamp. It made as a torchiere, but is a table lamp. The base is a dense metal that's bronze in color. The shade is white frosted glass.
Metal
Art Deco Crystal Chandelier Silver Serpentine Form Restored Antique Brass
Located in Berlin, DE
This exceptional crystal chandelier, dating to around 1930, has been fully restored in our Berlin workshop with great care and attention to detail. The entire electrical system has ...
Crystal, Brass
$280Sale Price / set|30% Off
2 Neoclassical Grecian Cameo Face Ceramic Torchiere Table Lamps 28"
Located in Dayton, OH
Pair of vintage off-white porcelain mantel urn table lamps with brass bases, stenciled with neoclassical motifs including the heads of a Roman / Greek soldier and noblewoman. Topped ...
Brass
$2,380Sale Price|20% Off
Gilt Nickel & White Opaline Ostrich Egg Table Lamp in style of Maison Charles
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
Gilt nickel and white opaline ostrich egg table lamp. French work in the style of Maison Charles. Circa 1970 We can have the table lamp rewired by our electrician for a French use bu...
Metal
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
Pair Of Italian Neoclassical Style Alabaster Urn Lamps
Located in Houston, TX
Pair Of Italian Neoclassical Style Alabaster Lamps. Offered is a stunning pair of large scale Italian Neoclassical style alabaster urn form lamps. When lit this lovely pair of Italia...
Alabaster
Antique Brass and Wood Tripod Floor Lamp, Early 20th Century
Located in Hudson, NY
Antique wood tripod base w/ adjustable neck / Hand-painted custom shade / Raw brass hardware / Black silk cord / Double pull chain sockets Quantity : (1) Materials : Wood / Brass Col...
Brass
1900 Large Leaded Glass Caldwell Lantern
Located in New York, NY
1900 Caldwell unusual design leaded glass large lantern with 6 interior lights. Has ribbons and flowers design, also has canopy and additional chain. newly rewired (UL)
Bronze