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 19th Century Gilt Bronze Girandole Sconce Mirrors with Candelabra
Located in Doylestown, PA
Pair of narrow, rectangular gilt bronze girandoles with beveled mirror and twin candelabra, circa 1890. Ornately decorated frame with openwork of fleur-de-lis, renaissance architectu...
Bronze
Pair 19th Century Neoclassical Style Giltwood Oval Girandole Mirrors
Located in New York, NY
Elegant pair of 19th century Continental Neoclassical style giltwood oval girandole mirrors Each with an acanthus leaf border, the crest centered by an oval medallion topped with a V...
Gesso, Wood
Pair of English 19th Century Neoclassical Girandoles in the style of Robert Adam
By Robert Adam
Located in London, GB
A Pair of Neoclassical Girandoles In the manner of Robert Adam Both mirrors fitted with a pair of candle arms and carved from wood with gesso, the rectangular silvered and bevelled ...
Gesso, Giltwood
Pair of Venetian Painted & Gilt Floral Crest Girandole Mirrors. Circa 1780
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of Venetian painted and gilt girandole mirrors with carved floral crest , gilt side carvings & the original three arm candle cluster . Mirr...
Gold Leaf
Neoclassical Mirrored Sconces, Bronze, Crystal, Early 20th Century
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of mirrored wall lights, sconces, possibly Maison Baguès. This stunning pair of large and very impressive wall sconces in a dore bronze finish having a Russian neoclassical flai...
Bronze
$7,013 / set
19th Century Pair Girandole Mirrors
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th Century pair girandole mirrors with bevelled glass and brass frames with arched tops and bases. Each with a pair of scroll stemmed candle holders.
Brass
19th Century Pair of Giltwood Girandoles
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th century pair of neoclassical style giltwood rectangular girandoles. Later adapted for electricity. The frieze with carved tied ribbon and carved acanthus leaves flanked by class...
Mirror, Giltwood
$2,000 / set
H 20 in W 14 in D 5 in
1 French Mid-Century Modern Neoclassical Mirror Sconce / Girandole, M. Mategot
Located in New York, NY
One large French modern neoclassical double arm metal wall light / sconce / girandole with mirrored backs in the style of Mathieu Mategot. The metal frame is pierced and the mirror h...
Metal
$3,400 / set
H 32 in W 18 in D 3.5 in
Pair of Louis XV Style Giltwood and Tole Girandoles Each with Two Candelabra
Located in Morristown, NJ
Late 19th c., shaped mirror glass framed by giltwood foliate scrolls. The particular shape with "Rocaille" friezes with floral motifs in Louis XV style is further embellished by the ...
Metal
$3,800 / set
H 38.5 in W 15 in D 4 in
Pair of Early 19th Century Continental Neoclassical Giltwood Sconce Mirrors
Located in Essex, MA
Pair of early 19th century continental sconce mirrors with original early glass and original gilding. Two arm sconces for candles. Great size and wo...
Mirror, Beech, Giltwood
19th century Brass Two Candle Mirrored Wall Sconces
Located in Savannah, GA
Petite pair of two candle mirrored wall sconces from the sumptuous Belle Époque era. Foliate scrolls with full leaf motif bobeche. Priced as a set. See...
Brass
$60,000 / set
H 38.5 in W 24.5 in D 8 in
Pair of American Eagle Gilt Carved Wood Girandole Mirrors, Circa 1800
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of American gilt carved wood girandole mirrors with flanking eagles on rock plinths perched to flee , upper and lower acanthus carved floral motif, ebonized reeded circular mold...
Bronze
$6,500 / set
H 32.5 in W 10 in D 2.25 in
A Pair of Chinese Chippendale Style Girandoles with Reverse Painted Decoration
Located in San Francisco, CA
A very pretty pair of English Chinese Chippendale style carved giltwood girandoles, each crested with an eagle resting on a stylized foliate surround. The mirrors are decorated, one ...
Giltwood, Glass
$1,687Sale Price|25% Off
H 20.5 in Dm 15.75 in
Mid-20th Century Oval Girandole Mirror in the Style of Maison Bagués
Located in San Francisco, CA
Mid-20th century oval girandole mirror fitted with three candle arms. Originally had five candle arms. The oval mirror glass bordered by thumb print cuts and framed in giltwood.
Glass, Mirror, Wood
$17,500
H 39.5 in W 27.5 in D 8 in
Georgian Gilt Carved Wood & Gesso Wall Mirror with Spur Bronze Sconces, C. 1720
Located in Charleston, SC
Georgian gilt carved wood and gesso girandole wall mirror with two original scrolled spur bronze sconces and shell motif. Early 18th Century. Mirror retains the original wood backing...
Bronze
$3,600 / set
H 40.56 in W 22.84 in D 4.34 in
Pair of 18th Century North Italian Rococo Giltwood Mirrors
Located in Berlin, DE
A pair of 18th century North Italian giltwood mirrors and former girandoles or sconces. Elaborately carved in symmetrical form with flowers, leaves, Ho Ho Birds, scrollwork and rocailles. A metal mount for the candle branches still attached at the bottom of the mirror. The mirror used...
Mirror, Giltwood
$4,200 / set
H 31.5 in W 14.5 in D 10.5 in
Pair of Italian Rococo Gray Painted and Silver Gilt Girandole Mirrors
Located in Essex, MA
Each with a double scroll crest with central opening with leaf, over a mirror plate within a carved frame, similarly carved base with three candle arms. Provenance; Henry Forbes Bige...
Other
19th Century English Giltwood Bullseye Mirror with Girandola arms
Located in Richmond, VA
Beautiful English convex mirror with girandole arms. Mirror i topped with a carved eagle and resting on leaf and floral carvings. Label on back indicating it was sold in Dover, E...
Mirror, Giltwood
Early 19th Century American Giltwood Convex Girandole Mirror
Located in Essex, MA
Period American Federal convex girandole mirror of monumental size. Giltwood with original gilding and mirror. New York.
Giltwood
Sold
H 31.5 in W 19.3 in D 7.88 in
Antique Neoclassical Gilt Bronze Girandoles Wall Mirror I Circa 1890
Located in Lincoln, GB
Antique Neoclassical Gilt Bronze Girandoles Wall Mirror I Circa 1890 Antique Neoclassical Gilt Bronze Girandoles Wall Mirror I Circa 1890, is a stunning piece that exudes elegance an...
Bronze
Pair of Early 19th Century English Neoclassical Mirrored Sconces
Located in Essex, MA
Pair of English or Irish Neoclassical Mirrored Wall Sconces. Original mirror now showing oxidation. Original gilding. Carved glitwood neoclassical elements. Obelisk form with urn fin...
Mirror, Giltwood
Adams Giltwood Girandole Mirrors
Located in New Orleans, LA
These majestic "girandole" style giltwood mirrors are exemplary of the Adam brothers' designs that prevailed during the Georgian era. The mirror's design is characterized by light foliate swags, ears of wheat and winged griffins inspired by the 18th-century excavations of Pompeii and Herculaneum that Robert and James Adam...
Mirror, Giltwood
19th Century Italian Neoclassical Gold Mirror in the Style of La Barge
By La Barge
Located in Houston, TX
Beautifully gold leafed mirror in the style of a 19th century Italian neoclassical La Barge mirror. The ornate filigree accents add an element of opulence to the design.
Mirror
Pair of Antique Girandole Mirrors
Located in Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire
A fine pair late 18th century North Italian carved giltwood girandole mirrors in the neoclassical taste still retaining their original mercury plates. A similar pair are illustrat...
Giltwood
Sold
H 56 in W 39 in D 11 in
Very Fine Gilt-Bronze Ormolu Girandole Mirror by Edward F. Caldwell & Co.
Located in Long Island City, NY, NY
Very Fine Gilt-Bronze Ormolu Girandole Mirror by Edward F. Caldwell & Co. Very good quality. Solid bronze, with beveled mirror and candleholders Measure: 56" high x 39" wide x 11" ...
Bronze, Ormolu
George III Style Giltwood Girandole Mirror
Located in Essex, MA
In the style of Robert Adam. Urn form finial with leaf tip swags and scrolls over an oval beveled mirror and a pair of candle arms flanked by leaves and seed pods terminating on urns...
Mirror, Giltwood
Pair of 18th Century Etched Venetian Mirrors
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of Venetian mirrors, carved and gilded with etched images on each mirror plate. One an archer with bow and arrows, the next a man with a staff entwined with flowers.
Giltwood, Mirror
A Pair Of Swedish Giltwood Mirrors
Located in London, GB
An exceptional pair of carved giltwood sconce mirrors with overlapping guilloche motifs, the surmount with a classical vase and swags of laurel leaves. The original mirror plates in...