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.
Italian Neoclassical Polychromed and Giltwood Sunburst Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Italian Neoclassical Polychromed and Giltwood Sunburst Mirror Italy, Early 20th Century Circular Italian carved wood sunburst mirror with polychromed and gilt surface decoration, pr...
Mirror, Wood
Large Sunburst Starburst Giltwood Mirror in the Style of Gilbert Poillerat
Located in Barcelona, ES
Outstanding carved giltwood sunburst starburst mirror, France, 1930s-1940s. Large gilded sunburst mirror with design reminiscences in the manner of Gilbert Poillerat. French Modern N...
Gold Leaf
Antique Circular Bronze and Brass Mirror in Sunburst Shape, Early 20th Century
Located in Barntrup, DE
A stunning circular wall mirror in a sunburst shape. This antique mirror features an embossed brass and bronze frame that is richly decorated with beaut...
Brass, Bronze
Monumental Italian Neoclassical Style Gilt Sunburst Mirror
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Fantastic Italian giltwood sunburst wall mirror made with monumental porportions and scale. Measuring nearly 68 inches wide with a carved frame having a neoclassical style rocaille s...
Gesso, Glass, Giltwood
Italian Neoclassic Silvered Sunburst Mirror
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Neoclassic (18/19th Century) monumental sunburst wall mirror with a gilt silvered varnish (Mecca) and cream painted detail. (Diameter of inner frame measures approximately 35")
Silver Leaf
Neoclassical Signed 1950s Brass Sunburst Mirrors, Convex Mirror Made in Belgium
Located in Miami, FL
Neoclassical 1950s signed convex brass mirrors from Belgium. Size of the convex mirror inside: 11.5 inches diameter. Looks stunning as a Group Wa...
Brass
Exquisite French Mid-Century Modern 'Sunburst' Mirror in Style of Line Vautrin
By Line Vautrin
Located in New York, NY
Stunning convex wall mirror in the form of sunburst after Line Vautrin. This piece is crafted just like Vautrin's exquisite mirrors in resin with a central round convex mirror and 16...
Iron
Zodiac Giltwood XL Sunburst Mirror with Polychrome Frame, Spain 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Large Midcentury Zodiac Mirror / Sunburst Mirror (33 in ) One of a kind polychrome wood zodiac XL sunburst mirror, Spain, 1950s Large giltwood sunburst mirror featuring 12 carved hor...
Gold Leaf
$3,750
H 27 in W 27 in D 2 in
Vintage French Giltwood Midcentury Sunburst Mirror with Radiating Motifs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A vintage French giltwood sunburst mirror from the mid-20th century, with flat glass. Created in France during the midcentury p...
Mirror, Giltwood
1950s Sunburst Oval Mirror in Gilt Metal
Located in Barcelona, ES
Mid-Century Modern iron sunburst oval wall mirror with leafed frame and gold leaf finish, Spain, 1950s. This eye-catching leafed sunburst mirror has a very detailed frame, entirely made in gilt iron and showing its original patina and gold leaf gilding. Place it in a powder room, entry hall or as console mirror. It will add a Hollywood Regency accent wherever you place it. Overall measures: 75 cm H x 54 cm W x 5 cm D Dimensions of the glass: 59 cm H x 38 cm W. We have avaliable a pair of oval sunburst mirror same design. Please kindly contact us in case that you need a pair or a set of three sunburst oval mirrors. Spanish Gilt Iron Oval Sunburst Mirror // Spanish Oval Leafed Sunburt Mirror // Hollywood Regency Spanish Mirror
Metal, Iron, Gold Leaf
Sensational Large Brutalist Starburst Mirror
Located in Dallas, TX
American, mid-20th century. A Brutalist style polychromed steel wall-hanging starburst mirror, with a central, round mirrored panel, bordered with shaped wire scrolls, surrounded by ...
Metal
$2,348
H 21.26 in W 34.26 in D 1.58 in
Spanish Rhombus Sunburst Mirror in Gilt Metal, Gold Leaf, 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Rhombus sunburst mirror, gilt metal. Spain, 1950s Glamourous gilt iron leafed sunburst mirror with the shape of a rhombus. The glass is suspended on a twisted iron rope and it has a layer of hammered gilt iron leaves framing the glass mirror. It can be hung in two positions. This stunning sunburst mirror will add a Hollywood Regency accent to any room, bathoom or entry hall. Nice original patina and gold leaf gilding. Overall measures: Horizontal position: 87 cm W x 54 cm H x 4 cm D (34,25 in W x 21,25 in H x1,57 in D) Vertical position: 87 cm H x 54 cm W x 4 cm D (34,25 in H x 21,25 in W x1,57 in D) Glass dimensions: 47cm H x 30 cm W (18,50 in H x 11,81 in W). Sunburst Mirror in Gilt Iron // Rhombus Mirror // Sunburst Wall Mirror // Gilt Metal Spanish Mirror...
Gold Leaf, Iron, Metal
Gilt Resin Sunburst Mirror
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice sunburst mirror is made of gilt resin with a concave mirror. This is a French work. Circa 1970.
Mirror, Resin
Early 20th Century Hand Carved Gilt Wood Sunburst Mirror
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Beautiful antique gilt wood sunburst mirror. The mirror is made of hand carved wood, with gilt patina. With a flat glass mirror. Wood and ...
Mirror, Giltwood
$2,530
H 29.53 in W 25.6 in D 1.58 in
Spanish Brutalist Sunburst Oval Mirror in Silvered Wrought Iron, 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Wrought Iron Oval Sunburst Mirror with Scroll Details and Brutalist Design, Spain, 1950-1960. Eye-catching hand forged iron mirror with scroll decorations, fleur-de-lis accents and o...
Wrought Iron, Iron
$2,750
H 22.5 in W 22.5 in D 3 in
French Midcentury Giltwood Sunburst Mirror with Radiating Rays and Carved Frame
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French vintage giltwood sunburst mirror from the mid-20th century, with rays of slightly varying sizes, carved frame and red undertone. Born in France during the mid-century period...
Mirror, Giltwood
$3,472
H 29.34 in W 23.63 in D 1.78 in
Riviera Style Vintage Rattan Oval Wall Mirror Sunburst Mirror, 1960s, Italy
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid-Century Modern Vintage organic sunburst mirror or wall mirror from rattan and mirror glass, 1960s Italy. While the large Size from this sunburst mirror allows to hang up in an en...
Rattan, Mirror
Spanish Gilt Metal Oval Sunburst Mirror
Located in Miami, FL
Spanish 1950s gilt metal oval sunburst mirror with tight connected leaf pattern frame.
Metal
Gorgeous Italian Carved Giltwood Sunburst Convex Mirror
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Timeless and glamorous antique giltwood sunburst mirror having 7.5” diameter convex central mirror with wonderfully carved rays surrounding it and beaded gilding. DeSimone
Mirror, Giltwood
Midcentury French Sunburst Mirror in Original Giltwood
Located in Wichita, KS
A midcentury French sunburst mirror, circa 1920. Original gilt and mirror plate.
Mirror, Giltwood
Lovely Vintage Italian Handmade Giltwood Sunburst Mirror
By Florentia
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Iconic Italian giltwood sunburst mirror by Florentia having small 6” diameter mirror in center. Label on back.
Mirror, Giltwood
Sold
H 3.5 in Dm 36 in
Spanish Layered Intricate Carved Giltwood Soleil Sunburst Starburst Wall Mirror
Located in Hopewell, NJ
A very beautiful, layered, intricate and decorative large golden soleil sunburst or starburst giltwood convex mirror. Handmade of carved stunningly gilt gold plated wood. One of our favorites. Whether hung in the entryway, living room, bedroom, or dining room, this Spanish sunburst mirror is a showstopper! Bought in France from a Spanish dealer...
Giltwood
French Intricate Carved Gilt Wood Soleil Sunburst Starburst Wall Mirror
Located in Hopewell, NJ
A very beautiful, intricate and decorative large golden soleil sunburst starburst giltwood convex mirror. Made and bought in France. Handmade of carved stunningly gilt-gold plated w...
Mirror, Giltwood
French Carved Gilt Wood Soleil Sunburst Starburst Wall Mirror
Located in Hopewell, NJ
A very beautiful and decorative large golden soleil sunburst starburst giltwood convex mirror. Made and bought in France. Handmade of carved stunningly gilt-gold plated wood...
Mirror, Giltwood
20th Century Italian Giltwood Sunburst Mirror
Located in Bradenton, FL
20th century Italian neoclassical giltwood sunburst wall mirror. Wonderful old patinated wooden frame. Good condition.
Giltwood
20th Century Italian Florentine Sunburst Mirror
Located in Bradenton, FL
20th century Italian neoclassical sunburst wall mirror. Wonderful old patinated wooden frame. Good condition.
Wood
Romantic Ornately Carved Italian Sunburst Mirror with Antique Gold Finish
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Classic Italian sunburst mirror having ornately carved wooden rays that extend from a small central mirror that's 5.5 diameter. The warm antique gold finish is lovely.
Wood
Timeless Giltwood Sunburst Italian Convex Mirror
Located in Hopewell, NJ
A fabulous example of a mid century convex giltwood sunburst mirror. Made in Italy.
Mirror, Giltwood
Rare Find 19th Century Giltwood Sunburst Starburst Mirror
Located in Hopewell, NJ
A particularly beautiful French 19th century sunburst giltwood mirror having octagonal shaped central mirror, 6" diameter. You can tell from the back, this is the real thing, old and...
Mirror, Giltwood
Glimmering Glamorous Giltwood Sunburst Mirror
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Classic vintage giltwood sunburst mirror with varying lengths of rays around a circular mirror.
Mirror, Giltwood