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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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.
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
IN STOCK special edition leaf shaped Fallen Leaves mirror by InsidherLand
By InsidherLand, Joana Santos Barbosa
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
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
Impressive Louis XVI Period Trumeau Mirror
Located in Pembroke, MA
A large and impressive French, 18th century Louis XVI period carved and giltwood trumeau mirror with antique mercury glass panels. A period oil on canvas painting of an expansive landscape with hunters is enclosed in a carved giltwood arched framework, surmounted by a stylized shell cartouche and supported by carved giltwood laurel...
Mercury Glass, Paint, Gesso, Wood, Giltwood
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
Antique Asian Trumeau Mirror with Carved Birds and Floral Panel
Located in Yonkers, NY
This antique Asian trumeau mirror offers a striking blend of decorative artistry and timeless form. Rectangular in shape, the piece is framed in warm-toned wood and crowned by a carv...
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
$4,975
H 54.5 in W 30.5 in D 3.5 in
Swedish Late Gustavian, Early Empire Giltwood Trumeau Form Mirror, circa 1810
Located in Kinderhook, NY
Circa 1810 Swedish late Gustavian / early Empire period neoclassical pier mirror of trumeau form having acanthus leaf ogee cornice surmounting frieze with radiating lyre (harp) design centered between acanthus leaf appliques; the original rectangular glass mirror...
Glass, 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
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
Louis XV-style Giltwood Trumeau Mirror
Located in San Francisco, CA
If you adore the exuberance and gilded grandeur of Louis XV’s reign, but your home’s style and scale is more Cleaver Family than a Bourbon residence, this is for you. Over your livi...
Mirror, Wood, Giltwood, Paint
Painted French Trumeau Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Painted Rococo trumeau mirror, having a painted finish showing desirable natural wear, its raised and fielded frame, surrounding foliate scrolls and a shaped mirrorplate. Stock I...
Mirror, Wood
Bernhard Rohne Mirror for Mastercraft
By Mastercraft
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Bernhard Rohne acid etched mirror for Mastercraft furniture co. Offered at Gallery Girasole
Brass
$1,200Sale Price|20% Off
H 59 in W 47 in D 1.5 in
Antique 18th Century French Louis XVI Style Trumeau Mirror
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This remarkable antique 18th century French Louis XVI style trumeau mirror exemplifies the elegance and refinement of neoclassical design. Featuring a rectangular frame with original...
Glass, Mirror, Wood
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