The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw sweeping social change and major scientific advances — both of which contributed to a new aesthetic: modernism. Rejecting the rigidity of Victorian artistic conventions, modernists sought a new means of expression. References to the natural world and ornate classical embellishments gave way to the sleek simplicity of the Machine Age. Architect Philip Johnson characterized the hallmarks of modernism as “machine-like simplicity, smoothness or surface [and] avoidance of ornament.”
Early practitioners of modernist design include the De Stijl (“The Style”) group, founded in the Netherlands in 1917, and the Bauhaus School, founded two years later in Germany.
Followers of both groups produced sleek, spare designs — many of which became icons of daily life in the 20th century. The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics. While Bauhaus principals Marcel Breuer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe created furniture from mass-produced, chrome-plated steel, American visionaries like Charles and Ray Eames worked in materials as novel as molded plywood and fiberglass. Today, Breuer’s Wassily chair, Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chair — crafted with his romantic partner, designer Lilly Reich — and the Eames lounge chair are emblems of progressive design and vintage originals are prized cornerstones of collections.
It’s difficult to overstate the influence that modernism continues to wield over designers and architects — and equally difficult to overstate how revolutionary it was when it first appeared a century ago. But because modernist furniture designs are so simple, they can blend in seamlessly with just about any type of décor. Don’t overlook them.
IN STOCK special edition leaf shaped Fallen Leaves mirror by InsidherLand
By Joana Santos Barbosa, InsidherLand
Located in Maia, Porto
This special edition is a huge hand carved piece that shows the ability of creating bespoke pieces by the InsidherLand team of Portuguese artisans. The natural aging revealed by the ...
Gold Leaf
Gustavian Style Trumeau Mirror with Rocaille Pediment and Antique Patina
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
This Rocaille pediment mirror is a prestigious reissue of a nineteenth-century model, blending Swedish refinement with French elegance. This wall-mounted piece stands out for its gen...
Mirror, Wood, Resin
Italian Recency Style Gilt Frame Trumeau Mirror
By Lebarge
Located in New York, NY
Chic, voguish Trumeau style wall mirror, having a black and gold frame with a decorative raised classical style urn and foliate design, fluted columns, and raised molding trim. The ...
Gesso, Mirror
Petit Louis XVI Period Giltwood Trumeau Mirror
Located in Pembroke, MA
A petit French Louis XVI period giltwood mirror with a pair of doves and wreath cartouche, laurel leaves and other neoclassical detailing, and nice old mercury glass ("trumeau de mar...
Giltwood, Wood
Massive Timeworn Antique Italian Trumeau Mirror
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Magnificent late 18th-Early 19th Century Baroque Style Trumeau Mirror In green paint with gilt details. A carved top with a surround with paintted scenes of a castle, lake and figure...
Canvas, Mirror, Wood
$1,996Sale Price|20% Off
H 68 in W 47 in D 2.25 in
Monumental Antique French Painted Trumeau Mirror With Courtship Scenery
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This monumental antique French trumeau mirror beautifully captures the romance and artistry of 18th-century French design. Featuring an exquisite hand-painted courtship scene above t...
Walnut
Gilded Faux Bamboo Chinoiserie Trumeau Mirror by Maison Jansen, 1960
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Classic chinoiserie trumeau mirror with lovely oriental painted scenery. Gilded wood faux bamboo frame.
Giltwood
$5,950
H 66.75 in W 29.75 in D 1 in
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Period Trumeau Mirror with Swag and Roses
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish period Gustavian painted and gilt trumeau mirror from the late 18th century with original paint and original split mercury glass. This exquisite Swedish trumeau mirror feat...
Mercury Glass, Wood, Giltwood
French Provincial Giltwood Trumeau Mirror
Located in Chicago, IL
Above the framed mirror plate, the panel is decorated with a floral motif and carved musical instruments.
Gold, Gold Leaf
Early 19th C French Gold Trumeau Mirror
Located in Hastings, GB
Early 19th c French gilt Trumeau mirror Fantastic example of a French Trumeau mirror with elegant proportions. The carved wooden frame is overlaid with gesso and gilt, finished in g...
Wood
19th Century Trumeau Mirror
Located in Houston, TX
19th century fragments made into a trumeau mirror with antique mercury mirror. This mirror has been manufactured recently to look old. From bot...
Wood
Antique French Louis XVI Style Trumeau with Console
Located in Austin, TX
This very rare and important trumeau featuring a console style table in the Louis XVI style is hand-carved and includes neoclassical frieze details...
Marble, Gold Leaf
$4,750
H 83 in W 1.5 in D 43.5 in
Mid 19th Century Louis XVI Style Trumeau Mirror in Painted and Gilded Wood
Located in Round Top, TX
French antique Louis XVI style trumeau mirror in painted and gilded wood from the mid 19th century. This beautiful mirror features a painted scene of a pair of young lovers in a past...
Wood
French Directoire Period Giltwood Trumeau Mirror
Located in Pembroke, MA
A petit French Directoire period giltwood trumeau mirror with sheath of wheat cartouche and other neoclassical detailing (Circa 1790). Nice old mercury glass. A similarly-sized Fre...
Giltwood, Mercury Glass, Mirror
Irys Wall Mirror with Jade Green Mirror Inside and Actual Mirror Outside
Located in Pietrasanta, IT
This wall mirror is entirely handmade in Tuscany Italy in the atelier of Sabrina Landini. The glass is original of 1970, the slabs are available in color Jade and aquamarine. After ...
Art Glass, Mirror, Bentwood