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.
Murano table mirror. Italy, 1950.
Located in MADRID, ES
Murano table mirror. Italy, 1950. 350.00 € Original Murano table mirror with a frame and Murano blown glass, featuring flowers at each of its four corners. Height: 30 cm Width: 30 ...
Mirror, Murano Glass, Wood
French Brass Table Mirror with Adjustable Frame, Circa 1930s
Located in Paris, FR
A fantastic French circa 1930s table mirror framed in solid brass, featuring an adjustable tilting mechanism. Its refined design includes decorative finials making it a timeless addi...
Brass
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
$600Sale Price|20% Off
Mid 20th Century Gold Vanity Mirror French Ornamentation
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Antique Vintage Table Vanity Mirror French Ornamentation Double sided mirror; flat and convex mirror. No label present. In the style of Fred K....
Metal, Gold
$1,699Sale Price|35% Off
Mirror Golden Wrought Iron, Neoclassical 1960s, Mid Century Art
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Golden wrought iron mirror, neoclassical 1960s, midcentury Art Measures: H 63cm, W 41cm, W 22cm. Contact us before ordering to confirm product ava...
Iron
Italian Gilt Wood and Painted Floral Oval Dressing - Shaving Mirror, Circa 1820
Located in Charleston, SC
Italian gilt and painted oval dressing - shaving mirror with decorative scrolled floral cartouche, flanking bell flowers, interior decorative lambs tongue frame resting on acanthus carved step back...
Gesso, Glass, Wood, Paint
Mid-Century Italian Brass Cast Oval Vanity Mirror in Neoclassical style
Located in Roma, IT
We are pleased to offer this charming Italian cast brass vanity mirror, made in Italy around the mid-20th century, circa the 1950s. We can easily imagine this elegant piece displaye...
Brass
Italian Neoclassical Gilt Acanthus Foliage Wall Mirror, 18th Century
Located in Charleston, SC
Italian Neoclassical gilt carved wood and gesso wall mirror with scrolled acanthus foliage motif. Mirror retains the original looking glass. 18th century
Gesso, Mirror, Giltwood
French 19th century Neo-Classical Ormolu vanity mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A charming French 19th century Neo-Classical Ormolu vanity mirror. This elegant swivel mirror is raised by a square stepped Ormolu base with a square mottled pedestal below. The pede...
Ormolu
Ornate Italian Table Mirror in Patinated Silver Plated Brass Mid 20th Century
Located in Meer, VAN
A beautiful ornate mid century Italian table mirror in silver plated brass. Very elegant and sophisticated, this table mirror is a practical piece that lifts up your desk, (vanity)...
Brass
“Flowers Queen Mary” Table Mirror in Venetian Style with Murano Glass
Located in MADRID, ES
“Flowers Queen Mary” Table Mirror in Venetian Style with Murano Glass 350.00 € Venetian table mirror featuring Queen Mary flowers and pieces of ...
Mirror, Wood, Murano Glass
Swedish Neoclassical Carved & Giltwood Console with Mirror by Johan Martin Berg
Located in Atlanta, GA
This is an exceptional period neoclassical finely carved and giltwood console with mirror, created by Johan Martin Berg (1772–1852) in Gothenburg, Sweden, circa 1820. This piece is of the highest quality for the period! It was a lucky find for us, coming from an estate in the Northeast US. This neoclassical Swedish piece consists of an elaborately carved and giltwood console with a rectangular-shaped inset white marble top, beautifully carved apron, raised upon a pair of scale-carved legs which terminate into clawed paws...
Marble
$1,560Sale Price|20% Off
Italian Brass Table Mirror
By Ico Parisi
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian brass beveled round mirror in style of Ico Paricsi. Adjustable position great for the vanity table or jewelry store. Base is 7.2 diameter.
Brass
French Silver Vanity or Standing Table Mirror with Beveled Glass
Located in Austin, TX
An elegant French vanity or tabletop mirror of fine silver, featuring a Neo-Classical relief design to the frame, enclosing a rectangular beveled mirror, back of wood with folding br...
Silver, Brass
$1,996Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Fine Neoclassical Gilt Bronze & Glass Vanity Mirror W/ Swan Supports
Located in Atlanta, GA
French, early to mid 19th century. A stunning French Neoclassical vanity mirror. Atop the beautiful beveled glass (double sided) mirror is ...
Bronze
$1,036Sale Price / item|20% Off
Elegant Wood Vanity and Mirror with Drawer – Early 20th Century, Circa 1940
Located in Barcelona, ES
Elegant Wood Vanity and Mirror with Drawer – Early 20th Century, Circa 1940 This charming wood vanity and mirror, crafted in France around 1940, is an elegant and delicate piece tha...
Glass
Italian Gilt Shell Cartouche Acanthus Mirror. Circa 1730
Located in Charleston, SC
Italian gilt carved wood wall mirror with shell cartouche, flanking decorative scrolled acanthus carvings and resting on cross hatching rectangular base. Mirror retains the original ...
Gold Leaf
Antique French Ebony Dressing Table Mirror
Located in London, GB
This beautiful mirror will look wonderful placed on a woman’s dressing table. It features an ebony frame which is intricately carved with a variety of motifs, inspired by classical design. The item is composed of an oval mirror, which is set within a shaped rectangular wooden frame. The frame is crowned by a medallion containing a portrait of a woman’s head in profile. This is decorated with a ribbon bow and flower swags which are held by two female figures, positioned either side of the medallion. The women have classical style nude...
Mirror, Wood, Ebony
19th Century Neoclassical Style Ormolu and Marble Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
This endearing French mantel clock combines lustrous ormolu and sumptuous white marble, making for a light and yet majestic work that perfectly compliments the masterfully executed N...
Marble, Ormolu
$680
H 11.62 in W 12.21 in D 6.3 in
Midcentury Brass French Adjustable Table Mirror with a Two-Sides Stand, 1950s
Located in Roma, IT
Beautiful midcentury brass table mirror, the article was produced in France during the 1950s. This amazing piece is made of brass wit...
Brass
$795
H 26.38 in W 24.41 in D 4.73 in
Mid-Century Modern Backlit Vanity Mirror, Painted Wood, Italy, 1960s
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
A round vanity mirror in painted wood with backlight. The mirror is possible to tilt. In good working condition.
Mirror, Wood
$1,352
H 11.82 in W 12.41 in D 5.32 in
Mid-Century Modern Lucite and Chrome Table Mirror with Lights, 1960s
Located in London, GB
Super chic. Double sided adjustable mirror with lucite frame and base. Decorative adjustable chrome tubes support lightbulbs either side.
Chrome
Golden Eye Coiffeuse Mirror
Located in Paris, FR
Mirror golden eye coiffeuse with solid brass structure in 24-karat and white marble base. With reclining beveled glass mirror.
Marble, Brass
Italian Adjustable Table Vanity Mirror in Brass, Italy, 1950s
Located in Roma, IT
Elegant Italian Mid-Century adjustable table mirror entirely made in solid brass. This charming and unique piece was produced in Italy during the 1950s. Fully original and in amazin...
Brass
$875
H 20.25 in W 14.75 in D 2.25 in
Early 20th Century French Silverplated Over Nickel Vanity Mirror with Bow Crest
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant antique French vanity mirror was crafted circa 1900 and embodies the refined decorative spirit of the Belle Époque period. The oval glass is framed in finely cast silver...
Silver, Nickel
Late 19th Century French Vanity Bronze Mirror
Located in Plainview, NY
An exquisite late 19th century French Louis XV vanity mirror. The bronze carved mirror features impressive details with two cherubs. The mirror ...
Bronze
$460
H 14 in W 9.75 in D 7.25 in
Murano Glass Vanity Mirror with Gold Flake Flowers 1950s Italy Venetian, Venice
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A gorgeous Murano glass vanity mirror surrounded with handmade clear gold flake flowers. Can be used as a wall mirror or standing mirror. With minor signs of wear as expected with ag...
Mirror, Murano Glass, Wood
Barovier Murano Glass and Brass Vanity Mirror, 1930s
By Barovier
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A refined and sculptural Barovier Murano Glass vanity mirror, Italy, circa 1930s, executed in ribbed, hand-formed Murano glass with warm champagne undertones enhanced by the addition...
Brass
$50,017Sale Price|20% Off
H 62.21 in W 77.96 in D 1.19 in
19th Century Italian Painted Wood Empire Folding Screen in Gilt Bronze Frame
Located in Firenze, IT
This one-of-a-kind antique Italian Empire Period folding screen is a masterpiece of early 19th-century craftsmanship, dating most likely from 1801 during the Republic of Lucca. Pain...
Bronze, Ormolu
Stunning Murano Glass Vanity Table Mirror 1940s, Italy Venetian Venice
Located in Nuernberg, DE
An elegant Murano glass mirror, handcrafted in Venice, Italy, dating back to the 1940s or earlier. This artfully designed mirror features a curved silhouette and is richly adorned wi...
Mirror, Murano Glass, Wood
Table Mirror, Sweden, 1950s
By NK (Nordiska Kompaniet), Svenskt Tenn
Located in Stockholm, SE
Table mirror in brass, possibly manufactured by Nordiska Kompaniet, 1950s. Brass, wave-shaped border decoration. Adjustable.
Brass
$4,092 / set
H 22.84 in W 13.78 in D 7.88 in
Pair of large table mirrors circa 1980 french design style of Garouste bonetti
By Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
In the style of Garouste et Bonetti Pair of large table mirrors realised circa 1980 Resin mirror base Original 20th century decoration Height 58 Large 35 cm Depth 20 cm
Resin
Petite Murano Glass Vanity Table Mirror 1950s, Italy Venetian Venice
Located in Nuernberg, DE
An elegant Murano glass mirror, handcrafted in Venice, Italy, from the 1950s or earlier. This intricately decorated mirror with a curved rim is richly adorned with applied floral and...
Mirror, Murano Glass, Wood
$3,500
H 13 in W 11.5 in D 6.75 in
French Art Deco Chrome Table Mirror, Adjustable Design, Circa 1930s
Located in Queens, NY
French Art Deco chrome plated dressing table mirror characterized by a piece of round, frameless mirrored glass positioned above a smaller round chrome base with a stylish adjustable...
Mirror
Sold
H 19.4 in W 18.25 in D 7.2 in
Antique American Empire Dressing Table Mirror Highly Figured Maple Early 1800s.
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
This is a lovely dressing table mirror from early 1800. It is made in highly figured American maple veneer and solids. Parts of the frame are American spruce. Because of the unique ...
Brass
Italian Early 20th Century Carved Giltwood Dressing Table Mirror
Located in London, GB
This very decorative dressing table mirror was made in Italy in the 1920s. Have a look through all our photographs to see the intrica...
Mirror, Giltwood
19th Century English Chinoiserie Dressing Mirror
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great condition with its original mirror. Beautifully detailed. Has key.
Wood, Lacquer, Paint
Antique Silvered Bronze Table Mirror from France, circa 1890
Located in Dallas, TX
A unique production from the Napoleon III period, this silvered bronze table mirror features Neoclassical motifs that were prevalent during the “Second Empire”. The mirror rests upon a symmetrical two-legged easel stand with pierced elements. Two fluted S-scrolls wrapped in acanthus leaves terminate in hoof feet on the front. The irregular shaped mirror...
Metal, Bronze
French Empire Style Table Mirror
Located in Astoria, NY
French Empire style mahogany dresser table mirror of pedimental form with applied brass mounts, the mirror on a mechanism above a drawer. Dimensions: 33" H x 23" W x 9.5" D.
Mahogany
Pair of Neoclassical Style Mirror
Located in Dusseldorf, DE
A pair of mirrors in neoclassical style. Patinated pine wood frame in aedicule motif. Mirror with facet cut. Hanging on the back. Dimensions: 124 cm high / 48.8 inch high, ...
Pine
Antique Brass Table Mirror
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage petite "psyché" from the mid-20th century.
Brass
Sold
H 41.5 in W 25.5 in D 2 in
Neoclassical Style Carved Giltwood Wall Mirror in the Manner of La Barge
Located in Plainview, NY
This exquisite French Rococo carved giltwood mirror in the manner of La Barge features fine floral basket details on top and a beveled glass. With it is timeless style, this mirror ...
Mirror, Giltwood
19th Century French Painted Ceramic Freestanding Beveled Vanity Mirror
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a counter with this elegant freestanding ceramic table mirror. Crafted in France, circa 1860, the colorful mirror features an eagle figure at the pediment sited over a woman...
Ceramic, Faience, Mercury Glass
Sold
H 28.55 in W 19.69 in D 8.86 in
Mahogany Table Mirror with Verre Églomisé Inlays, St. Petersburg, circa 1800
Located in Greding, DE
Classicist table mirror in mahogany with verre églomisé inlays in blue and gold. The mirror is mounted between fluted columns with straight architrave and pivots.
Mahogany, Glass
Sold
H 50.01 in W 37.01 in D 11.42 in
Giltwood and Mahogany Mirror with Marble Top, Piedmont / Italy, 18th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Mirror mounted on a wide drawer with silver handles in an oval black frame and rich tendril and flower decoration made of giltwood. The mirror is flanked by figurative bronzes in ant...
Mahogany, Giltwood
Vanity-Top Venetian Mirror
Located in Chireno, TX
Vanity-top Venetian mirror dating from the late 19th century. Beautiful openwork crest and embellishments. Can sit upon a tabletop free-standing or be wall-mounted. Listed measuremen...
Mirror, Wood
Sold
H 22 in W 14 in D 3 in
19th Century French Painted Ceramic Vanity Mirror with Joan of Arc Medallion
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a counter with this elegant free-standing ceramic table mirror. Crafted in France circa 1860, the colorful, cartouche shaped mirror features a hand painted medallion with th...
Ceramic, Faience, Mercury Glass
Mirror Frame. Bronze, 19th-20th Centuries
Located in Madrid, ES
Bronze frame for a table mirror (or a miniature) decorated with "ce" tornapuntas, two snails on the lower part, female figures with the lower half of its body transforming into veget...
Bronze, Other
Neoclassical Style Metal Vanity Mirror
Located in Stamford, CT
Midcentury metal neoclassical style vanity mirror. Metal has been tested and is not silver plated or sterling. Most likely nickel or steel. New mirrored glass. Original black velvet ...
Metal