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
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
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
$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
$10,400Sale Price|25% 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
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
Mid 20th Century Venetian Mirror
Located in Dallas, TX
A Venetian mirror in the classical style from the mid 20th century.
Mirror
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
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
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
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
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
$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
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
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
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
$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
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
Orbis Minimalist Round Mirror with a Brass Frame, Large
Located in London, London
Minimalist Orbis™ round mirror with an elegant solid brushed brass frame. The detailing and finish, including visible brass screws, emphasise the crafty and quality feel of the mirro...
Brass
$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
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
$1,445
H 2.37 in Dm 21.66 in
Round Mirror with Frame in Lacquered Wood and Fabric, Italy, 1970s Midcentury
Located in Roma, IT
Round mirror with frame in lacquered wood and fabric, Italy, 1970s.
Fabric, Mirror, Wood
$1,105 / item
H 31.5 in W 30.32 in D 0.71 in
Ergon Organic Shaped Modern Mirror with a Brass Frame, Large
Located in London, London
Playful and modern Ergon™ organic shaped mirror with a solid brushed brass frame. Designed and made in London, UK. Our mirrors are designed with...
Brass
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
Pair of French Louis XV Style Gilt Oval Mirrors
Located in Cypress, CA
Pair of French Louis XV style gilt oval mirrors. Mid-20th century. The mirrors are surmounted with a carved gilt ribbon, each decorated in a fruiting, floral and foliate motif t...
Mirror
$955 / item
H 27.96 in W 18.12 in D 0.71 in
Capsula Capsule Pill Shape Elegant Mirror with Brass Frame, Large
Located in London, London
Capsula™ pill shaped mirror with a minimalist brushed brass frame. Designed and handcrafted in London, UK. This mirror is fully customisable. Our mirrors are designed with an integr...
Brass
18th Century Italian Walnut Octogonal Mirror
Located in Vosselaar, BE
A late 18th century Italian walnut octagonal mirror. Apart from minor restorations this mirror is in pristine condition and can be hanged in two directions.
Walnut
Mid Century Italian Giltwood Mirror Palladio
By Palladio
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Beautiful classic. Mid Century Hollywood Regency carved wood and gilt mirror. Uniquely large. Italian made by Palladio. Circa 1960's.
Giltwood
19th Century English Regency Gilt Neoclassical Mirror
Located in Long Island City, NY
19th century carved giltwood mirror. The oval mirror plate within rectangular frame, surmounted by classical frieze with figures flanked by Reeded Pilasters.
Mirror, Giltwood
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...
Metal, Bronze
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
By John-Richard 1
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