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.
20th Century Dutch Neoclassical Lighting
Travertine, Brass
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Brass
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Lighting
Zinc
20th Century French Neoclassical Lighting
Metal
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Lighting
Crystal, Wrought Iron
1990s American Neoclassical Lighting
Crystal, Metal
20th Century French Neoclassical Lighting
Ceramic, Porcelain
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Lighting
Bronze
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Lighting
Ceramic, Wood
Early 2000s Italian Neoclassical Lighting
Alabaster, Gold Leaf
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Lighting
Bronze
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Metal
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Lighting
Wood
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Lighting
Bronze
20th Century French Neoclassical Lighting
Chrome, Nickel
1910s French Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Crystal, Bronze
Early 1900s Italian Antique Neoclassical Lighting
Bronze
20th Century Neoclassical Lighting
Bronze
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Neoclassical Lighting
Marble, Bronze
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Copper
1960s German Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Brass
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Brass
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Brass
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Lighting
Ormolu
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Lighting
Belgian Black Marble, Brass, Bronze
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Brass, Bronze, Cut Steel
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Silver
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Lighting
Bronze
1930s American Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Nickel
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Bronze
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Lighting
Crystal, Metal
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Brass
19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Lighting
Crystal, Bronze
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Porcelain
Early 2000s American Neoclassical Lighting
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary English Neoclassical Lighting
Brass
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Linen
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Lighting
Bronze
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Lighting
Porcelain, Plaster, Milk Glass
Mid-20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Lighting
Marble, Brass
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Lighting
Wood
2010s Mexican Neoclassical Lighting
Brass
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Brass, Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Lighting
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Lighting
Marble, Ormolu
1820s Italian Antique Neoclassical Lighting
Bronze, Wire
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Crystal, Bronze
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Metal, Brass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Rock Crystal, Metal
20th Century French Neoclassical Lighting
Crystal, Brass, Bronze
Early 20th Century Austrian Neoclassical Lighting
Crystal, Bronze
Mid-20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Lighting
Porcelain
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Crystal, Brass
18th Century German Antique Neoclassical Lighting
Glass
1910s French Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Lighting
Marble, Bronze
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Lighting
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Lighting
Linen
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Lighting
Giltwood
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Lighting
Gold Leaf





