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.
Pair of Bronze Neo Grec Vases Mounted as Lamps by Ferdinand Barbedienne
By Henry Cahieux and Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in Pease pottage, West Sussex
A Pair of Néo-Grec Grand Tour Patinated Bronze Vases Mounted as Lamps, Cast by Ferdinand Barbedienne from a Model by Henry Cahieux. Each vase features herm-headed handles framing a ...
Bronze
Early 20th Century French Iron and Crystal Chandelier.
Located in New York, NY
Early 20th Century ca. 1900 French Campaigne iron and crystal chandelier. 1 standart socket.
Crystal, Iron
$5,453Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Neoclassical Brushed Steel & Brass Floor Lamp In the Style of M. Charles
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice and unusual pair of neoclassical style floor lamps is made of brushed steel and brass with hunting horns. This is a French work in the style of Maison Charles. Circa 1940
Brass, Steel
Vintage Porcelain Table Lamp with Gilded Greek Key Accents
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Single porcelain table lamp, having a vase shape of white glass, gilt decoration of two Greek key meanders wrap the body of the lamp, raised on round brass base. Stock ID: D4014
Milk Glass
Elegant Neoclassical Style Alabaster Marble Vase or Table Light
Located in Rome, IT
Neoclassical style Alabaster marble table light or vase. We can customize also without a lamp holder. Timeless elegant piece for your interior to ...
Alabaster
Cute Coastal Beach Cottage Lamp Finial
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Cute beach cottage figurine on brass base as lamp finial.
Epoxy Resin
$3,140Sale Price|20% Off
Neoclassical style silvered metal chandelier. French work by Maison Charles
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice and elegant neoclassical style chandelier is made of silvered metal. This is a French work by Maison Charles. Circa 1940
Metal
$1,261Sale Price|20% Off
French Brass Chandelier with Crystal Drops Ceiling Pendant circa 1900
Located in Labrit, Landes
Brass ceiling pendant Lustre with crystal drops and half a sphere of engraved glass French, circa 1900 Good antique condition. This lustre is suitable to USA or EU and UK standards....
Crystal, Brass
Large English Brass Oil Lamp Converted to Electrical Table Lamp
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
Antique English brass oil lamp, converted to electrical table lamp. Fluted column on four feet brass base. Recently rewired with one brass Edison E-27 light socket for a large sized ...
Brass
Pair of Maison Jansen Bronze Hand Sconces, 3 pairs available
Located in Miami, FL
Superbe pair of bronze sconces figuring A feminine hand holding a cornucopia, rare model from 1940. Refinished and US rewired, 60 watts max bulb. New opaline globe. Back plate dime...
Bronze
1900 Caldwell Neoclassical Bronze Chandelier with Opaline Glass
Located in New York, NY
A of circa 1900's Caldwell bronze lights fixtures with Opaline glass and interior lights
Bronze
$1,410Sale Price|25% Off
Carved Gilded Gold Wood Artichoke Table Lamp
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful unique carved table lamp. Opening bloom details with gilded gold finish over dark brown/ebony finish. Matching carved finial. See images. Does not include shade.
Wood
1920’s Caldwell Bronze and Etched Mirror Sconces with Cobalt Glass
Located in New York, NY
set of 4 circa 1920’s Caldwell etched mirrored backplate sconces with Cobalt blue glass
Bronze
Historistic chandelier with original cut glasses vienna around 1890s
Located in Wien, Au
Historistic chandelier with original cut glasses vienna around 1890s Brass polished and stove enameled Original glass shades
Brass
$700 / item
Bronze & Crystal Pendant/Plafonnier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Fine & Elegant Bronze & Cut Crystal Pendant. 1 light. France, circa 1930. 2 available. Dimensions: Height 7" Diamter 9" CW5555
Crystal, Bronze
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
A NEO-CLASSICAL SHABBY-CHIC TABLE LAMP by MAISON CHARLES, France 1970
Located in PARIS, FR
A large and very elegant table lamp, Post-Modernist, Neo-Classical, Shabby-Chic, with an ionic column body, original cylindrical lampshade, with elegant psychedelic metallic decorati...
Metal
$12,000 / item
1900's Caldwell Bronze Chandelier with Greek Key
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1900's Caldwell neoclassic style chandelier with Greek key design
Bronze
André Arbus Bronze & Black Hand Two-Arm Sconce Wall Light Neoclassical, Pair
By André Arbus
Located in Miami, FL
Very elegant pair of André Arbus French bronze neoclassical black hand sconce with two arms, wall light with black & gold paper shades. Priced by pair. US rewiring and each takes 2...
Brass, Bronze
Four 19th Century German Neoclassical Wall Sconces, Werner und Neffen, Schinkel
By Karl Friedrich Schinkel
Located in Essex, MA
A set of four German Neoclassical gilt bronze and cut glass three-light wall appliqués, in the manner of Karl Friedrich Schinkel (1781-1841), by the bronzeure Werner und Neffen Berli...
Crystal, Bronze
Meissen Snake-Handled "Schlangenvase" Urn Vase Lamp
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A Meissen Snake-Handled "Schlangenvase" urn vase lamp, circa 1900, Gilt and painted in colors, the baluster body decorated with "Deutsche Blumen" on both...
Porcelain
$940Sale Price|80% Off
Very Large Wall Lamp with Swan Figure Very Beautiful
Located in Wien, Au
Very large and heavy wall lamp with swan figure, excellent original condition very beautiful and nice patina, very fine work.
Bronze
$3,200 / set
Pair 1940 French Carved Alabaster Columns Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Pair of 1940's French carved alabaster columns table lamps in neoclassic style
Alabaster
1900 Caldwell Sconces With Flowers Design 3 Lights
Located in New York, NY
Circa 1900 Caldwell gilt bronze sconces with flowers design on top, 3 lights
Bronze
1900’s Caldwell Silver Plated Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1900's Caldwell silver plated 8 lights chandelier very unusual floral design
Silver Plate
$3,650 / set
Pair of Grand Scale Urn-Form Alabaster Lamps
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of table lamps, of carved alabaster, each a campana form urn, its body outcarved with blossoms, flanked by curved handles, on fluted socle, raised on round footed base, set upon graduated cylindrical...
Alabaster
2 swiveling bronze Historistic Wall lamps with glass shades vienna around 1890s
Located in Wien, Au
2 swiveling bronze Historistic Wall lamps with glass shades vienna around 1890s Polished and stove enameled Original antique glass shades
Bronze
$1,271Sale Price / set|25% Off
Chapman Italian Table Lamps Neoclassical 1970s Pair
By Chapman Manufacturing Company
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and ...
Brass, Metal
$2,306Sale Price|20% Off
Neoclassical Brass & Silver Plated Lantern with Strong Rounded Faux-Glass Plast
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This neoclassical large lantern is made of brass and silver plated with strong plastic rounded faux-glass. This is a French work, in the style of famous Maison Jansen, circa 1970.
Brass, Silver
Mid Modern Italian Pink Murano Glass Cascading Suspension Lamp with Brass Frame
Located in Madrid, ES
Cascada suspension lamp with a brass structure, featuring four tiers of handcrafted pink Murano glass. Designed for both aesthetic refinement and functional illumination, it is equip...
Brass
A Fine Silver over Bronze Billiard/ Over Counter Light
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Fine Silvered Bronze "T" shaped, 4 Light Chandelier having metal shades. Europe, circa 1990. 4 Lights. Dimensions: Height 59" Width 52" Depth 16" CW5639
Bronze
A Large 19th Century Russian Neoclassical Ormolu and Cut Crystal Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A Large 19th Century Russian Neoclassical Ormolu and Cut Crystal Chandelier. The chandelier is constructed with a circular ormolu framework suspended with multiple graduated strands...
Crystal, Ormolu
$4,800 / set
1920’s Silver Plated Caldwell Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920’s Caldwell sconces silver plated finish
Silver Plate, Bronze
19th Century Italian Neoclassical Giltwood and Crystal Chandelier
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
An impressive and richly detailed 19 th Century Italian crystal chandelier, featuring an ornate dark metal frame with scrolling arms, hand-cut crystal bobeches, and an abundance of f...
Crystal
$7,500 / item
Pair of Maison Bagues Vintage "Bird" Wall Sconces
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Fine Pair of Vintage Maison Bagues "Birds" Wall Sconces, iron & crystal. France, circa 1940. 2 lights each. Two Pairs Available. Dimensions: Height 27" (Overall, including top ca...
Crystal, Iron
Antique French Red Tole Neo Classic Bouillotte Table Lamp
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Standout 19th century French tole bouillotte table lamp, now electric once oil, with adjustable height, featuring the original alluring red ...
Metal
Classical Paavo Tynell Chandelier 1355, Brass, String, & Birch, Taito 1930s
By Paavo Tynell, Taito Oy
Located in Helsinki, FI
A beautiful example of Paavo Tynell’s classical 1930s lamps. The model is 1355, featuring dark stained birch details and three patinated cast brass arms, each diverging into two with...
Brass
Frederick Cooper Brass Pineapple Table Lamp
Located in Pasadena, TX
This is a brass pineapple shaped table lamp by Frederick Cooper. the Frederick Cooper lamp Co. is based in Chicago, Ill. The lamp rest upon a solid wood base. The finial is solid br...
Brass
1920's Caldwell Gilt Bronze Sconces with 2 Lights
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920's Caldwell gilt bronze sconces with two lights
Bronze
$4,800 / set
1930's Neoclassic Column Table Lamps
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1930's neoclassic column shape bronze table lamps. In very good condition.
Bronze
Wonderful Vaughan Bell Jar Glass Star Brass Pendant Light Lantern Fixture
Located in Roslyn, NY
Wonderful Vaughan Bell Jar Glass Star Brass Pendant Light Lantern Fixture, With A 3 Light Cluster, Accompanied By Chain And Canopy For Installation.
Brass
$7,200 / set
A Pair of Neoclassical Design Torcheres
Located in New York, NY
A pair of Neoclassical design torcheres. The Pompeiian-inspired design featuring shallow bowl supported by four attenuated vertical elements with round stretcher on a marble base. Th...
Marble, Brass
$3,400 / set
1920's Caldwell Small Double Light Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920's Caldwell gilt bronze double light sconces
Bronze
Gunmetal Finish and Bronze Horsehead Tripod Floor Lamp by Maison Jansen
Located in Chicago, IL
Exceptional Neoclassical style tripod floor lamp by Maison Jansen. France, mid 20th century. Equestrian themed bronze details and gunmetal finish. Rare piece. Wired for USA. Pole i...
Bronze
Jules Leleu Style French Wall Sconces, Wall Lights - Pair, 6 available
By Jules Leleu
Located in Miami, FL
Very elegant pair of French Neoclassical Sconces, Wall Lights by Jules Leleu from the 1950. Same sconces in nickel-plated are available Sto...
Brass
Tall Neoclassic Italian Green Onyx Neoclassic Table Lamp C.1950
Located in London, GB
Tall Neoclassic Italian Green Onyx Neoclassic Table Lamp C.1950 A turned green onyx table lamp base of classical baluster form, the tapering stem rising from a bulbous urn-form body...
Onyx
$4,800 / item
Pair Of 19th C. Giltwood Mirrored Sconces
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of giltwood sconces, in classical form, each surmounted by carved fluted flower-filled urn draped with swags, shield shaped mirror plate, two candlearms; not electrified. Stock...
Mirror, Wood
Danish Neoclassical Bronze Table Lamp with Animal Paw Base
Located in Kastrup, DK
Danish table lamp crafted in bronze and dark-patinated brass, featuring a slender column and a three-footed base with decorative animal paws. Inspired by classical antiquity and arch...
Brass, Bronze
19th Century Neoclassical Style Bronze Lion Sconce
Located in Houston, TX
Large scale 19th century neoclassical style four light wall sconce. This 34" wide solid bronze sconce features a monumental lion's head gripping four a...
Bronze
$3,800 / item
1920s Neoclassic Style Caldwell Mirrored Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920’s Caldwell neoclassic style sconces with edged mirrored back plate
Bronze
$3,400 / set
1920 Gilt Bronze One Light Sconces
Located in New York, NY
Pair of circa 1920’s gilt bronze one light sconces with sunburst design backplate
Bronze
$3,800 / set
1920s Silver Plated Caldwell Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920’s Caldwell simple silver plated sconces with two lights
Silver Plate
Antique French Brass and Bronze Pendant Light with Cut Glass Lampshade, ca. 1900
Located in Barntrup, DE
Antique French brass and bronze pendant light with cut glass lampshade from around 1900. This beautiful antique neoclassical-style pend...
Brass, Bronze
2 Historistic table lamps with fabric shades vienna around 1920s
Located in Wien, Au
2 Historistic table lamps with fabric shades vienna around 1920s Solid brass Very beautiful cut glass rods Brass polished and stove enameled The fabric shades are replaced ( new )
Brass
Antique French Celadon Table Lamp with Gilt Bronze Mounts, 1850
Located in Lincoln, GB
Fine French Celadon Table Lamp with Gilt Bronze Mounts — Stamped Paris A fine 19th-century French celadon oil lamp, now sensitively converted for electrical use, mounted in richly de...
Bronze
Vintage Art Deco Style Alabaster and Brass 12-Light Chandelier
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Vintage brass and alabaster 12-light chandelier in Art Deco style. The chandelier is made with genuine Spanish alabaster and multi-ribbed polished brass. Tiered Lighting designed ...
Alabaster, Brass
$3,290Sale Price|20% Off
Brass Tripode Floor Lamp with Claw Feet by Maison Jansen
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice and elegant neoclassical style tripode floor lamp is made of brass with claw feet. This is a French work by Maison Jansen. Circa 1940
Brass
$380Sale Price|23% Off
Neoclassical Urn Form Greek Key Table Lamp
Located in Elkhart, IN
A gorgeous neoclassical style urn form table lamp with Greek key and swag details Measures: 5.75"W x 5.75"D x 26"H. Very good original vintage condition. Powers on.
Composition
$1,513 / set
Pair of Antique Neoclassical Style Chandeliers
Located in London, GB
A beautiful pair of antique Neoclassical style chandeliers, made in England and dating from around the 1950’s. The quality is superb, they are made from patinated brass and each hav...
Brass
$6,800 / item
1920's Caldwell Gild Bronze Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair circa 1920's Caldwell gild bronze sconces with double lights
Bronze