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.
$15,000 / set
Pair of Italian Neoclassical Giltwood Mirrors
Located in Essex, MA
Each crest with ostrich plume and pair of exotic birds flanked by two handled urns over a mirror plate with outer mirror bands, the base with leaf swag flanked by leaf pendants. Thes...
Giltwood
Mid 20th Century Venetian Mirror
Located in Dallas, TX
A Venetian mirror in the classical style from the mid 20th century.
Mirror
Italian Neoclassical Style Gilt Metal Mirror, Palladio Attributed
By Palladio
Located in Houston, TX
Italian Neoclassical style gilt metal mirror, Palladio attributed. Stunning Italian 1960s Neoclassical style gold gilt metal oval mirror with trophy crest and floral and foliate swags. This great vintage Italian gilt mirror...
Metal
Spanish Silvered Gilt Carved Wood Mirror
Located in Barcelona, ES
Foliage Floral Petite Wall Mirror, Carved Wood, Silver Leaf. A lovely hand carved small mirror with silver leaf finishing, Spain, early 20th century...
Silver Leaf
$867Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Wall Mirror in Red Wood and Decorative Plaques
Located in Milano, IT
Splendid antique mirror dating from the 1900s, of fine French manufacture. The mirror is a very beautiful and simple wall mirror with a very beautif...
Metal
Beautiful Mirror Made of a Burr Walnut Marquetry and Brass, circa 1960
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This beautiful mirror is made of a burr walnut marquetry surrounded by two brass frames. This is French work, circa 1960.
Brass
$1,494Sale Price|20% Off
Spanish Double Headed Eagle Mini Sized Mirror in Carved Giltwood
Located in Barcelona, ES
Neoclassical small carved mirror in the form of a crowned bicephal eagle. Spain, 1930s Highly decorative frame with a double-headed eagle surmounted by a crown, symmetric wings and t...
Gold Leaf
Octagonal Murano Glass Mirror, Italy, Early 20th Century
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Octagonal Murano glass mirror, Italy, early 20th century.
Glass, Mirror
18th Century, Pair of Italian Neoclassical Carved and Giltwood Mirrors
Located in IT
18th century, pair of Italian neoclassical carved and giltwood mirrors Size H 70 x W maximum 50 x W 43.5 frame x D 3. The pair of delightful mirrors was made in south of Italy (Sicily) in the neoclassical period, towards the end of the 18th century. They are composed of a box frame, in carved wood...
Mirror, Wood, Giltwood
Highly Decorative 19th Century Venetian Glass Mirror
Located in Dublin 8, IE
A highly decorative late 19th century Venetian glass mirror with reverse etched patterning and detailed hand painted enamelled blue glass p...
Glass
20th Century Classicist Style Tulip Mirror Commode
Located in Berlin, DE
20th century Classicist style tulip mirror commode Noble mirror commode in classicist style. Mirror-veneered tulip on pinewood partially ebonized. (D...
Wood, Pine
$1,800Sale Price|25% Off
20th Italian Rectangular Brass Foliate Wall Mirror or Console Mirror
Located in Miami, FL
20th rectangular brass foliate wall mirror or console mirror, you can use it vertical or horinzontal position.
Brass
$3,880Sale Price|20% Off
Giltwood Neoclassical Mirror
Located in Huntington, NY
Giltwood Neoclassical mirror. One large rectangular mirror surrounded by ebonized moldings flanked by 2 smaller panels below a ebonized composition panel below acorn & gilt crown molding.
Mirror, Wood
French Neoclassical Style Bronze Dressing Tabletop Mirror
Located in Barntrup, DE
Gorgeous French dressing tabletop mirror, made of bronze and adorned with floral and leaf motifs. Beautifully shaped mirror. France, 1930s. Dimensions: height: 36 cm / 14.17 in; widt...
Bronze, Brass
$10,600Sale Price|24% Off
Large 44" Malachite, Brass and Classical Wood Frame Mirror
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is an incredible malachite mirror, very heavy and extremely well made, featuring an intarsia of malachite with brass edging and a classically carved wood frame. The reverse has...
Malachite
Pair of Italian Mirrors, Neoclassical Style Painted and Giltwood
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of Italian mirrors, Neoclassical Style Painted And Giltwood Neoclassical style painted and giltwood. Pair of Italian Palladian architectural style horizontal painted...
Mirror, Wood
18th Century Carved Gold Gilt Wood Floral Swags Mirror
Located in Hastings, GB
Beautiful and charming later 18th century mirror, the frame in carved gilt wood, with very unusual and intricately carved floral swags to the front that s...
Wood
18th Century Italian Triptych Mirror or Three-Part Folding Mirror
Located in Round Top, TX
This handsome Italian Triptych mirror is complete with its original mercury glass. Features wood carvings attached on top and four metal, remov...
Mercury Glass, Mirror, Wood
Green Painted Continental Eglomise Mirror with Neoclassical Decoration
Located in Essex, MA
A green-painted continental eglomise wall mirror with black column supports and gilded hoof feet. It is decorated at the top with crossed gilt arrows and qu...
Mirror, Wood
$18,000
Neoclassical Mirror
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carved Italian neoclassical giltwood mirror, 18th century.
Giltwood
$13,300Sale Price / set|30% Off
Pair of Neoclassical Mirrors , circa 1780
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fine pair of 24-karat giltwood mirrors. The oval beveled plates within molded and cabochon borders and surmounted by a cartouche and floral foliate cresting.
Giltwood
Mirror in Metallic Leaf by Lam Lee Group Dallas, 1990s
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Mirror in metallic leaf by Lam Lee Group Dallas, 1990s. Packaging with bubble wrap and cardboard boxes is included. If the wooden packaging is needed (fumigated crates or boxes) for...
Silver Leaf
$1,928 / set
H 39.38 in W 27.56 in D 0.79 in
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Italian Oval Mirrors Brass and Bronzed Mirror, 1970
Located in Puglia, Puglia
This pair of mirrors, with a simple brass frame and beveled edge mirrors in a gilt bronze colour, was created in Italy in the 1970s. They have been polished.
Brass
Victorian Walnut Pier Mirror
Located in Morristown, NJ
19th/20th C., large handsome Victorian walnut pier mirror. Open pediment top with central spire, carved baluster frame, beveled glass, no ...
Mirror, Walnut, Pine
French Rectangular Silver Gilt Wall Mirror (H 19 1/2 x W 12 1/4)
Located in Austin, TX
A fine French wall mirror from the 19th c., featuring a silver gilt rectangular frame around an original mirrored glass. Dimensions are H 19 1/2 inches x W 12 1/4 inches.
Silver Leaf
$1,600
H 55 in W 31.5 in D 2.75 in
Green Painted Continental Eglomise Mirror with Neoclassical Decoration
Located in Essex, MA
A green-painted continental eglomise wall mirror with black column supports and gilded hoof feet. It is decorated at the top with crossed gilt arrows and qu...
Mirror, Wood
Large Carved Wood Mirror with Scale Detail
Located in Miami, FL
A very large mirror. The thick frame is solid teak with carved scales design. Note the bevel on the mirror and please do not overlook the fact that ...
Wood
$904
H 27.56 in W 31.5 in D 1.19 in
20th-Century Vintage Gold Frame Wood Bed Mirror with Flowers, Italy, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
A mirror in a golden decorative frame with flowers. The frame is made of wood. Perfect for bedroom as a decoration over the bed. Mirror is in very good vintage condition, no damage o...
Mirror, Giltwood
Monumental Early 20th Century Arte Deco Mirror
Located in Round Top, TX
A spectacular and monumental early 20th century Arte Deco mirror with its original glass. Indeed a stunning piece.
Glass
$1,800Sale Price|25% Off
H 48.81 in W 23.62 in D 1 in
20th Italian Rectangular Brass Foliate Wall Mirror or Console Mirror
Located in Miami, FL
20th rectangular brass foliate wall mirror or console mirror, you can use it vertical or horinzontal position.
Brass
$2,765 / set
H 36.62 in W 28.75 in D 1.26 in
Matching Pair of Midcentury Burr Walnut & Gold Plated Renato Zevi Wall Mirrors
By Renato Zevi
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale stunning pair of Mid-Century Modern Rento Zevi Burr Walnut with gold plating wall mirrors A very good looking highly decorative and collectable pair of mirrors. Zevi’s work has an almost cult like following, you will see a thousand different bookcases and coffee tables but a single wall mirror never comes up for sale and a pair is unheard of Each mirror has the original Renato Zevi label and one is additionally stamped made in Italy, the burr walnut frames...
Mirror, Burl
Antique French Carved Oak Wood Mirror, circa 1900
Located in Paris, FR
Antique French wall mirror in carved light oak wood decorated in the Breton folk art style (French region). Antique frame measures width 11...
Mirror, Wood, Oak
$10,875
H 63 in W 38 in D 4 in
A Large Swedish Neoclassical Giltwood Pier Mirror, circa 1820 with Arched Crest
Located in Dallas, TX
Large Swedish Neoclassical Giltwood pier Mirror, the mirror features an arched crest and flanking fluted half columns, within the arch there is a decoraton reminiscet of a flower or ...
Giltwood
Grand Antique Italian Neoclassical Inlaid Mirror
Located in Dallas, TX
Grand Antique Italian Neoclassical Inlaid Mirror is a spectacular example of timeless style on a large scale! Stretching over seven feet in width,...
Mirror, Mahogany, Satinwood
Sold
H 71 in W 31.5 in D 18.13 in
Cheval or Standing Dressing Mirror with Inlaid Mahogany Frame from England
Located in Austin, TX
A beautiful large English cheval or full-length dressing mirror, in the Neo-Classical style, featuring a rectangular beveled mirrored glass panel, framed in mahogany with inlaid stri...
Bronze, Metal
Antique Carved And Gilt Three Part Over-The-Mantel Mirror
Located in Bridgeport, CT
The three part beveled mirror with classic 19th c. details. The cornice with attached balls (a few missing on the left) and three projecting leafy column supports with rosettes on th...
Mirror, Wood
Fine Mahogany Cheval Beveled Mirror
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A well made and graceful Cheval Mirror. The adjustable cheval mirror with tall turned frame with pointed finials. Turned horizontal stretchers top and bottom, raised on curved feet w...
Mirror, Wood
Neoclassical Style Brass Psyché Mirror
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice neoclassical style psyche mirror is all made of brass with a beveled oval mirror on its center. This psyche mirror is reclining. This is a...
Brass
18th Century Style Jerry Solomon Neoclassical Giltwood Mirror
By Jerry Solomon
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
18th Century style Jerry Solomon Neoclassical giltwood mirror. Additional information: Materials: giltwood, mirror Color: Gold Period: 2000 - 2009 Styles: Neoclassical Item ...
Giltwood
Neoclassical Italian Mirror, Circa 1800
Located in New Orleans, LA
This beautiful Italian mirror combines intricate gilt-wood artistry with the clean and refined lines championed in the neoclassical aesthetic. Striking for its large scale, measuring...
Mirror, Giltwood
Antique Gilt Wooden Wall Mirror
Located in Milano, IT
Splendid antique mirror dating from the 19th century, of fine French manufacture. The mirror is a very beautiful and simple wall mirror with a very...
Mirror, Wood
Gilt Neoclassical La Barge Mirror
By La Barge
Located in Norwood, NJ
Fine quality carved and gilt mirror by La Barge with original label. Mirrored panels with rosettes and hanging garland. Raised carved flanking griffin's in and ebonized panel.
Mirror, Wood, Giltwood
Pair of 19th Century Italian Mirrors
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Fantastic pair of 19th century Italian mirrors with a later antiqued mirror plate. They are of fantastic size and are beautifull...
Mirror, Wood
Sold
H 19 in W 7.75 in D 0.5 in
Antique Victorian Bradley & Hubbard Brass Neoclassical Dolphin Vanity Mirror
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Bradley & Hubbard brass rectangular wall mirror featuring neoclassical motifs, including an urn flanked by dolphins / delphins / Dauphin / Fish. Attributed to #3502. Measu...
Brass
Vintage Neoclassical John Richards Gilt Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Fantastic vintage Neoclassical mirror. Made by the iconic John Richards group. Beautiful and dramatic black and gold finish. Acquired from ...
Gold
Sold
H 48 in W 24 in D 1.5 in
Italian Neoclassic Style Gilt Wood Mirror w/Bow-Tie & Urn Carved Crest, Mid 20th
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Italian style mirror with it's original gilt finish from the mid 20th century. This American vintage mirror was designed in Italian style with ...
Wood