What is a barley twist lamp?

A barley twist lamp is a table lamp or floor lamp that has a spiraling base. Usually, the bases are solid mahogany wood, but other types of wood and even metal are sometimes used. Find a variety of lamps from some of the world's top sellers on 1stDibs.

What is a classic barley twist?

A classic barley twist refers to a specific attribute of a piece of furniture. The “twist” refers to a furnishing’s twisted form — in a table’s legs or in its trim, for example — that resembles a twisted stalk of barley sugar. The twist was frequently made of beech or walnut.

What does barley twist mean?

The term “barley twist” refers to thin spiraling forms. Most often when barley twist is used, it relates to furniture. During the 19th century, many chairs, tables and casegoods featured barley twist legs. You can find a range of barley twist furniture on 1stDibs.

What era is barley twist furniture from?

Barley twist furniture dates back to the Jacobean and Stuart eras in England and the Louis XIII and Louis XIV eras in France. During this time, many furniture makers produced chairs, tables and case goods with twisty legs. The name barley twist comes from barley sugar candy enjoyed at the time. Shop a range of barley twist furniture on 1stDibs.

How are barley twist legs made?

Barley twist legs were originally cut by hand until the invention of the lathe, which assisted with creating the twisted design. Barley twist legs are named after sticks of barley sugar and feature a spiral look. Browse a selection of furniture featuring barley twist legs on 1stDibs.

Barley Twist Vanity

1920 Mirrored Vanity

Twist Mirror

Regency Dressing Table Mirror

Antique Vanities With Mirrors

Marble Table Supports

Mahogany Vanity With Mirror

Victorian Overmantle Mirror

Oak Antique Vanity

Antique English Oak Barley Twist Vanity / Commode / Chest / Dry Sink

$2,495

H 60 in W 36 in D 17 in

Antique English Oak Barley Twist Vanity / Commode / Chest / Dry Sink

Located in Kennesaw, GA

This is an antique English oak vanity or commode with barley twist form supports. The mirror lifts

Category

Early 20th Century English Jacobean Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mirror, Oak

Regency Vanity Dressing Table Marble Mahogany Mirror with Barley Twist Supports.

$1,460

H 31.89 in W 25.2 in D 11.03 in

Regency Vanity Dressing Table Marble Mahogany Mirror with Barley Twist Supports.

Located in Reading, Berkshire

An Elegant Regency Vanity Dressing Table Marble Mahogany Mirror with Barley Twist Supports. Would

Category

Antique 19th Century English Regency Table Mirrors

Materials

Marble, Brass

19th Century Dutch Marquetry Dressing Chest

$29,500

H 79 in W 39 in D 20 in

19th Century Dutch Marquetry Dressing Chest

Located in New York, NY

19th century Dutch marquetry dressing chest. Finely carved barley twist posts hold scalloped swing

Category

Antique 19th Century Dutch Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Ebony, Mahogany, Satinwood

Recent Sales

Antique Victorian Barley Twist Walnut Vanity Table Mirror, Scotland, 1880

Unavailable

H 33 in W 34 in D 13 in

Antique Victorian Barley Twist Walnut Vanity Table Mirror, Scotland, 1880

Located in Vancouver, BC

Antique Victorian barley twist Walnut dressing table or vanity mirror Scotland 1880, H144 Scotland

Category

Antique 1880s Scottish Victorian Table Mirrors

Materials

Walnut

Antique Vanity Mirror, English Marble & Mahogany with Barley Twist Supports

Unavailable

H 31.89 in W 25.2 in D 11.03 in

Antique Vanity Mirror, English Marble & Mahogany with Barley Twist Supports

Located in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire

with barley twist supports Beautiful patina to mirror and wood has a warm finish.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Table Mirrors

Materials

Marble

Caribbean Mahogany Five Drawer Dressing Table with Barley Twist Legs. Circa 1815

Sold

H 55.75 in W 38.5 in D 22.5 in

Caribbean Mahogany Five Drawer Dressing Table with Barley Twist Legs. Circa 1815

Located in Charleston, SC

knobs, adjustable mirror with wood back, and terminating on turned ringed barley twist legs with ball

Category

Antique 1810s Caribbean Regency Vanities

Materials

Mirror, Mahogany, Poplar

Antique Quartersawn Oak Barley Twist Oval Parlor Vanity Overmantle Mirror 34"

Sold

H 27 in W 1 in D 34 in

Antique Quartersawn Oak Barley Twist Oval Parlor Vanity Overmantle Mirror 34"

Located in Dayton, OH

gadrooned edge, ornate carvings, barley twisted supports and beveled oval mirror. Dimensions: 34" x 1" x

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Wall Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Oak

Antique English Barley Twist Mirror Gothic Oak Tilting Dresser Vanity Mirror

Sold

H 30.25 in W 31 in D 11 in

Antique English Barley Twist Mirror Gothic Oak Tilting Dresser Vanity Mirror

Located in Tyler, TX

Superb antique English oak Gothic Barley twist tilting / swivel shaving, dresser or vanity beveled

Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Gothic Revival Table Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Oak

Antique Vanity, Tiger Oak, Barley Twist, With Mirror, Scotland 1920, B2530

Sold

H 54 in W 42 in D 19 in

Antique Vanity, Tiger Oak, Barley Twist, With Mirror, Scotland 1920, B2530

Located in Vancouver, BC

Antique Vanity, tiger oak, Barley twist, with mirror, Scotland 1920, B2530 Scotland 1920 Solid

Category

Vintage 1920s Scottish Vanities

Materials

Oak

Oak Barley Twist Dressing Chest / Vanity

Sold

H 62 in W 42 in D 20 in

Oak Barley Twist Dressing Chest / Vanity

Located in Vancouver, BC

drawers with brass handles, on barley twist legs, connected by cross stretcher. Shipping will be

Category

Early 20th Century Scottish Dressers

Materials

Brass

Antique Victorian Pitch Pine Dressing Table Vanity Mirror, Scotland 1890, B1774

Sold

H 24 in W 26 in D 8.5 in

Antique Victorian Pitch Pine Dressing Table Vanity Mirror, Scotland 1890, B1774

Located in Vancouver, BC

Antique Victorian Barley Twist mahogany dressing table or vanity mirror, Scotland, 1880, B2247

Category

Antique 1890s Scottish Victorian Table Mirrors

Materials

Pine

Arts + Crafts Oak Mirror Back Barley Twist Vanity, Dresser, Scotland 1910, H783

Sold

H 32 in W 42 in D 20 in

Arts + Crafts Oak Mirror Back Barley Twist Vanity, Dresser, Scotland 1910, H783

Located in Vancouver, BC

Arts + Crafts oak mirror back barley twist vanity, dresser, Scotland 1910, H783 Scotland 1910

Category

Vintage 1910s Scottish Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Oak

Antique Oak Vanity, Barley Twist Chest of Drawers, Dresser, Scotland 1920, B2400

Sold

H 61 in W 45 in D 20 in

Antique Oak Vanity, Barley Twist Chest of Drawers, Dresser, Scotland 1920, B2400

Located in Vancouver, BC

Antique oak vanity, barley twist chest of drawers, dresser, Scotland 1920, B2400 Scotland, 1920

Category

Vintage 1920s Scottish Dressers

Materials

Oak

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Rosso Wall Mirror

By Specchi Veneziani

Located in Milan, IT

Venetian mirror made in the strictest Murano tradition. Assembled with crystal/gold and red elements handmade in the Murano furnaces. Wooden frame with a natural finish.

Category

2010s Italian Renaissance Wall Mirrors

Materials

Glass

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Questions About Barley Twist Vanity

What is a barley twist lamp?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023
A barley twist lamp is a table lamp or floor lamp that has a spiraling base. Usually, the bases are solid mahogany wood, but other types of wood and even metal are sometimes used. Find a variety of lamps from some of the world's top sellers on 1stDibs.
What is a classic barley twist?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2021
A classic barley twist refers to a specific attribute of a piece of furniture. The “twist” refers to a furnishing’s twisted form — in a table’s legs or in its trim, for example — that resembles a twisted stalk of barley sugar. The twist was frequently made of beech or walnut.
What does barley twist mean?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
The term “barley twist” refers to thin spiraling forms. Most often when barley twist is used, it relates to furniture. During the 19th century, many chairs, tables and casegoods featured barley twist legs. You can find a range of barley twist furniture on 1stDibs.
What era is barley twist furniture from?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Barley twist furniture dates back to the Jacobean and Stuart eras in England and the Louis XIII and Louis XIV eras in France. During this time, many furniture makers produced chairs, tables and case goods with twisty legs. The name barley twist comes from barley sugar candy enjoyed at the time. Shop a range of barley twist furniture on 1stDibs.
How are barley twist legs made?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Barley twist legs were originally cut by hand until the invention of the lathe, which assisted with creating the twisted design. Barley twist legs are named after sticks of barley sugar and feature a spiral look. Browse a selection of furniture featuring barley twist legs on 1stDibs.