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.
Wonderful Vaughan Brass Star Glass Crystal Flush Mount Ceiling Light Fixture
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful Petite Vaughan Designs Brass With Star Glass / Crystal Flush Mount Ceiling Fixture Each Having 2 Candelabra Sockets Inside.
Brass
Pair of Italian Crystal Beaded Sconces with Floral Decorations
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Original Vintage Condition Materials: Crystal Glass, Gilt Metal Style: Italian Neoclassical
Crystal, Metal
Spanish Revival Sunburst Ceiling Light Fixture in Wrought Iron and Glass, 1940s
Located in Barcelona, ES
An sculptural wrought iron and glass light fixture with neoclassical and Gothic Revival accents. Spain, 1940s. This hand forged iron fixture has a highly decorative design with fleu...
Iron, Wrought Iron
Pair Warren Kessler New York Asian Style White and Blue Floral Porcelain Lamps
Located in Germantown, MD
Monumental Pair of Warren Kessler New York Asian Style Blue and White Porcelain Table Lamps. Original cast Brass finial. Measures 8" in width, 8" in depth and 37 " in height.
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
$6,900 / set
Pair of Maison Jansen Floor Lamps
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of Maison Jansen floor lamp with three lights, two patinas gun metal and brass. Three bulbs 100w each. US wired and in working condition. Shade: 17" diameter base, 8.5" H, 13...
Brass
French Neoclassical Style Carved Silver Giltwood & Marble Draped Urn Lamps, Pair
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Highly detailed pair of French neoclassical style silver leaf giltwood urn lamps featuring hand carved draped foliate garland motifs. These Louis XVI style lamps are mounted on marbl...
Marble, Silver Leaf
Vintage Regency Polished Chrome Wall Sconce - A Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This striking pair of wall sconces epitomizes the refined elegance of Regency-inspired lighting, offering a sophisticated blend of classical proportions and modernist materials. Feat...
Chrome, Nickel
Italian White Marble Table Lamps, Pair
Located in Miami, FL
A beautiful and substantial pair of Italian white marble desk or table lamps in the Neoclassical style, circa 20th century, Italy. New white linen cu...
Marble, Carrara Marble, Brass
Mid 20th Century Brass Neoclassical Style Floor Lamp
Located in Pease pottage, West Sussex
Neoclassical Style Floor Lamp, Triform Base. Clean elegant lines. Rewired in antique style flex, and PAT tested. Bronze, Italy, Circa 1950. Lampshade Not Included
Brass
New Cast Bronze Cylindrical Lantern Pendant, Maison Bagues Style, Curved Glass
Located in BEEKBERGEN, NL
A newly cast bronze cylindrical lantern pendant in the elegant manner of Maison Bagues, the celebrated French lighting house known for refined, hand finished metalwork. The drum form...
Bronze
Pair of French Neoclassic giltwood Wall Sconces, 19th Century
Located in Wiesbaden, Hessen
Pair of French neoclassical style hand carved giltwood wall sconces with leaves and arrows motif, 19th century, circa. 1820-1850s.
Giltwood
Pair of Italian 1970s Murano Glass Sconces in the Art Deco Style
Located in New York, NY
Elegant pair of Murano glass Art Deco style sconces in rare bicolor peach and frost glass. Italy 1970's
Gold Leaf
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 of Painted Neoclassical Lamps with Parchment Shades
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of painted neoclassical style fluted column lamps with capitals crowned with hand painted parchment shades. The lamps are newly rewired and ready to use.
Wood, Parchment Paper
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
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
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
$220Sale Price|35% Off
French Alabaster Neoclassical Pedestal Lamp-Column Lamp-Silk Lamp Shade-60
Located in Bussiere Dunoise, Nouvel Aquitaine
Magnificent French finely carved Alabaster Lamp in Neoclassical Style and with Silk Shade from the 60s The soft Colors vary from beige to brown-rose and reflect the Classic Style T...
Alabaster, Metal, Metallic Thread, Brass
19th Century Genovese Crystal Giltwood Chandelier
Located in Houston, TX
A commanding giltwood and crystal chandelier. Originally designed for candles and subsequently adapted for electrical lighting, the chandelier retains its architectural integrity wh...
Crystal, Iron
$2,240Sale Price|20% Off
Versailles Chandelier with Swarovski Strass and Crystal Pendants
Located in Stamford, CT
Versailles chandelier with Swarovski Strass and crystal pendants having a dark brownish almost black iron frame. Recently rewired. Ready to hang...
Crystal
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
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
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
Historistic table lamp with fabric shade vienna around 1890s
Located in Wien, Au
Historistic table lamp with fabric shade vienna around 1890s Brass polished and stove enameled The fabric shade is replaced ( new )
Brass
2 Historistic wall lamps vienna around 1890s
Located in Wien, Au
2 Historistic wall lamps vienna around 1890s Brass polished and stove enameled The glass sticks are replaced ( new )
Brass
Visual Comforts Patinated Bronze Neo Classical Empire Brass Shade Table Lamps
Located in Jensen Beach, FL
Charming pair of patinated bronze/brass table lamps by Visual Comforts.
Brass
Pair of Large Neoclassic Bronze Chandeliers, Sold Individually
Located in New York, NY
Pair of English neoclassic style cast bronze eight-light chandeliers with Greek key motif, rectangular cast chains, original oversized canopy and rosettes on the bottom of the body. ...
Bronze
19th Century French Celadon Porcelain Lamp with Gilt Bronze Mounts
Located in Lincoln, GB
A Superb 19th Century French Celadon Porcelain Table Lamp An elegant and highly refined French celadon porcelain table lamp, dating from the second half of the 19th century. Original...
Brass
Neoclassical Giltwood and Rock Crystal Girandole Lamps
Located in Bradenton, FL
A Pair of Neoclassical style Carved Giltwood Five-Light Girandoles. Rising to an impressive 32 inches in height, each piece is designed as an elegant handled giltwood urn set upon a...
Rock Crystal
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
$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
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
Bronze
$1,059Sale 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
$659Sale Price|30% Off
Neoclassical Dutch Delft Table Lamp, Hand-Painted Porcelain, 20th C.
By Royal Daulton, Delft, Royal Copenhagen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Dutch Delft white and bright blue floral decorations over white rippled base. Signed on the inside. Beautiful vintage condition. A shade can be added - let us know.
Porcelain, Delft, Faience
Antique Italian Neoclassical Carved Gold Giltwood White Candlestick Table Lamp
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Italian Neoclassical Carved Gold Giltwood White Candlestick Table Lamp with Paw Feet and Distressed Finish. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 44" H (to finial) x 32" H ...
Wood
Pair of Vintage Italian Carved Wood Pineapple Table Lamps
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Mid century neoclassical style pair of table lamps having stylized hand carved pineapples on square plinths with a chic white washed finish.
Hardwood
Vintage Italian Neoclassical White Carved Marble Empire Column Table Lamp Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Italian Neoclassical White Carved Marble Empire Corinthian Column Tall Table Lamps on Brass Bases - a Pair. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 41" H (to finial) x 28" H (t...
Marble, Brass
Neoclassical Style Brass Floor Lamp in the Style of Maison Jansen
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice and elegant neoclassical style floor lamp is made of brass with a black shade, gilt inside. This is a French Work in the style of Maison Jansen. Circa 1940
Brass
$1,920Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Italian Carved Alabaster Neoclassical Table Lamps, Mid-Century
Located in Toronto, ON
Pair of Italian carved alabaster table lamps with elegant neoclassical styling, dating to the mid-20th century. These sculptural lamps feature beautifully turned forms with carved fo...
Alabaster
Pair of Vintage Italian Alabaster Columnar Lamps with Ionic Capitals
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of table lamps, of carved alabaster, each a round, Neoclassical, fluted column, surmounted by an Ionic capital, ending on round foot, and raised on square, graduated plinth base...
Alabaster
Victorian Revival Brass Ruffled Glass 4 Light Parlor Pendant Light Chandelier
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique drop light pendant chandelier. Made of brass featuring Victorian styling with four ruffled frosted / satin glass shades. Dimensions: 14" x 14" x 30"h
Brass
Mackenzie Childs Style Painted Candlestick Lamp
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Colourful handpainted ceramic candlestick lamp with lampshade with beaded fringes trim and a toy artisan cat figurine as lamp finial.
Ceramic
1940s French Neoclassical style brass floor lamp, Maison Jansen
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very elegant neoclassical style floor lamp is made of brass with a fluted center part on a tripode base. This is a French work attributed to Maison Jansen. Circa 1940
Brass
Neoclassic Gilt Bronze Picture Wall Light by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
Neoclassical picture light by Gherardo Degli Albizzi. Current production, 100% made in Italy by Italian craftsmen. Available in different dimension: 30, 40 and 60 cm. Customizable in...
Bronze
Monumental Pair of Rouge Marble, Gilt and Patinated Bronze Figural Torchères
By Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse
Located in London, GB
Monumental Pair of Rouge Marble, Gilt and Patinated Bronze Figural Torchères After Carrier-Belleuse, Albert-Ernest (French, 1824–1887) Height: 282cm, width: 70cm, depth: 75cm This ...
Rosso Antico Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
$656Sale Price|60% Off
Antique Neo Classical Style French Zinc Footed Urn Lamp
Located in Lomita, CA
The white enamel wash, the scene reminiscent of a classical Greek or Roman setting, and the urn form make this French Zinc lamp unique and irresistible. The antique Neoclassical styl...
Enamel, Zinc
Mid-century wrought iron lantern from France, 1950s
Located in Lyon, FR
Cute mid-century wrought iron lantern, made in France, 1950s. Wrought iron structure, frozen glass lampshade, nice making details : floral ornaments, metallic lace and twists. Perfec...
Wrought Iron
Pair of Antique French Brass Bouillotte Table Lamps
Located in London, GB
A large and very impressive pair of antique French Brass Bouillotte table lamps, dating from around the 1960’s. They are an amazing size and are of outstanding quality. The brass fr...
Brass
$6,800 / item
1930's Leaded Glass Light Fixture
Located in New York, NY
a circa 1930's leaded glass light fixture with 6 interior lights. Original finish and patina from Waldorf Hotel in NYC. (8 available)
Glass
Neoclassical, Basket Pendant Light, Bronze, Crystal, France, 20th c.
Located in Stamford, CT
Neoclassical, Basket Flush Mount Pendant Light, Bronze, Crystal, France, 20th c. A chrome and brass flush-mount ceiling fixture featuring four lights, elegantly dressed with cascadi...
Crystal, Brass
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
Palm Tree Table Lamp In the Style of Maison Charles
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This nice pineapple table lamp is made of black lacquered and gilt metal. This is a French work in the Style of Maison Charles. Circa 1970
Metal, 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
$848Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Swedish Brass Wall Sconces, Early 20th Century
Located in Brentwood, TN
A pair of Swedish brass wall sconces, early 20th century, executed in a compact neoclassical form with a single candle arm and circular backplate. The design is defined by its clean ...
Brass
Pair of Mid-Century Kaiser Porcelain Urn Lamps with Gilt Swan Handles
By Kaiser
Located in Bruton, GB
An elegant pair of mid-century porcelain urn lamps by Kaiser, West Germany, dating to the mid-20th century. Each lamp features a finely proportioned classical urn form, finished in a...
Ceramic
$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
Monumental Carved Alabaster Neoclassical Lamp
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Impressive carved alabaster Neoclassical lamp. Dimensions listed at for the lamp base only (bottom of base to top of finial). The beaded ta...
Alabaster
19th Century Neoclassical Crystal Chandelier by F. & C. Osler
Located in Queens, NY
English (19th century) 2-tier swirl crystal 36 arm chandelier. (signed by OSLER)
Crystal
Vintage Neoclassical Urn Table Lamps, White Porcelain, France, 1950s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Vintage White Porcelain Neoclassical table lamps. Striking pair of Urn shaped lamps with figural handles. The top has a solid...
Porcelain