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.
French 19th Century Petite Parcel Gilt Trumeau
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A petite 19th century French trumeau mirror that is relatively compact in its proportions yet sophisticated in the Neoclassical decorative elements that project a respect for history...
Gold Leaf
19th Century French Neoclassical Painted Trumeau ca. 1870.
Located in Vero Beach, FL
19th Century French Neoclassical Painted Trumeau ca. 1870. 19th century Louis XV style elegant French Trumeau wall panel. The panel is a symmetrical, rectangular shape and features ...
Mirror, Wood
Vintage Italian Fruit & Bird Motif Beveled Glass Over Mantel Trumeau Mirror 60"
Located in Dayton, OH
An Italian Neoclassical Trumeau Mirror, c. 1980s. Features A giltwood frame with inset fruit, foliate and bird motif over silver leaf. The frame is accented with brass nailheads. ...
Mirror, Hardwood, Giltwood, Paint
Distressed Neoclassical Trumeau Mirrors, Cream & Gold, 1930s, Pair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of rectangular neoclassical style mirrors. The mirrors are painted in a cream color, accented with gold detailing. The top of each frame includes a decorative pediment, with a...
Mirror, Wood, Paint
French 19th Century Neoclassical Trumeau Mirror, Black w/Bronze Gold Accents
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Neoclassical painted wood trumeau mirror, with nicely carved trim details, from the 19th century. This antique mirror from France is rectangular-shaped and has an acanthus l...
Wood, Mirror
$6,750Sale Price|69% Off
Early 19th Century Italian Neoclassical Style Giltwood Trumeau Mirror Ca 1820
Located in Encinitas, CA
Finely ornamented, large Italian Neoclassic Style Italian Trumeau mirror. Patinated beige lacquer antiqued by age, combines with gold giltwood details to create a grande & impres...
Mirror, Giltwood
Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Trumeau Mirror
Located in Round Top, TX
Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Trumeau Mirror with Lyre and Giltwood Decoration A refined late 19th century French trumeau mirror executed in the neoclassical Louis XVI taste....
Wood
Italian Trumeau with Inset Panels of Fruit
Located in Nashville, TN
Nice warm Tuscan feel. Each fruit panel has a ground of silver foil or leaf. Charming wear to each of the panels (see photos). The beveled mirror plate is a very good distress jo...
Wood
19th C. French Neoclassical Water Gilt Eglomise Trumeau Mirror
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is an exceptional French water gilt trumeau mirror with neoclassical styling. The panel is eglomise with a pastoral scene in a deep red, black and gilt. It dates to the late 19t...
Glass, Mirror, Giltwood
French Antique Neoclassical Trumeau Mirror
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Neoclassical style painted wood trumeau mirror from the early 20th century. This antique mirror from France features the carved-wood plaque top, typical of trumeau design, w...
Wood
Neoclassical Style Parcel Gilt Trumeau
Located in New York, NY
Cream painted parcel gilt mirror with urn and column detail.
Giltwood, Mirror
French Painted and Giltwood Trumeau Mirror
Located in Bradenton, FL
Early 19th Century French Painted and Parcel Gilt Trumeau Mirror. Mirror features a gilt decorative narrative panel above the mirror plate showing a serene woman beside a young chil...
Wood, Giltwood, Paint
19th Century French Neoclassical Carved and Parcel Gilt Trumeau Mirror
Located in Dallas, TX
Early 19th century French Empire neoclassical carved and parcel gilt trumeau mirror. Very interested carving of 2 dragons and other leaves, scrolls and diamonds. Nice patina on the ...
Wood
Neoclassical tole Giltwood and Mahogany Ornamental Trumeau or Mantle Mirror
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Neoclassical tole Giltwood and Mahogany Ornamental Trumeau or Mantle Mirror. Ornately carved mahogany giltwood mirror. Top features a raised mounted classic urn crest. From the urn, ...
Gold Leaf
An Italian mid 18th century Neo-Classical st. Mahogany, ebonized Fruitwood, Gilt
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A charming Italian mid 18th century Neo-Classical st. Mahogany, ebonized Fruitwood, Giltwood and Mecca mirror. The original mirror plate is surrounded by a mottled ebonized Fruitwood...
Mirror, Fruitwood, Mahogany, Giltwood
French Silvered Gilt wood Hand-Painted Framed Trumeau Wall Mirror
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of French sophistication with this exquisite trumeau wall mirror. Crafted with meticulous artistry, it features stunning silvered and gilt ...
Wood, Mirror, Paint
$2,800Sale Price|49% Off
19th Century Northern European Neoclassical Style Pier Mirror
Located in New York, NY
A early to mid-19th century Northern European walnut pier mirror of rectangular form with a recessed ebonized frieze of applied neoclassical figures with a two plate mirror, the top ...
Walnut, Mirror
French Neoclassical Style Limed Oak Trumeau Mirrors, 19th Century - A Pair
Located in Savannah, GA
A pair of French neoclassical style limed oak trumeau mirrors, 19th century. Antique plates; molded cornice above linear frames supported by two carved brackets. 28 ¾ inches wide by...
Oak, Mirror
Large 18th Century Italian Faux Painted Mantel Mirror
Located in San Francisco, CA
A spectacular large scale 18th century (possibly older) Italian mirror with original hand painted faux marbling and gilding. This mirror has its original back and though the mirror i...
Wood, Mirror
Italian Neoclassic Gilt Wall Mirror with Reverse Glass Panels
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Neoclassic-style (19th Century) carved giltwood wall mirror with black and gold decorated reverse glass panels with urns, griffins, and lyre designs. One glass panel is crac...
Gold Leaf
1960s Neoclassical Style Giltwood & Painted Trumeau Mirror by LaBarge - Italy
By LaBarge
Located in St. Louis, MO
1960s LaBarge Neoclassical style giltwood and composition trumeau mirror by. It was handcrafted in Italy, and it does have the early LaBarge label. The trumeau section depicts gilt f...
Composition
Large Grayish-Blue Painted Trumeau Mirror
Located in Chireno, TX
Large grayish-blue painted trumeau mirror from France. Features joined joined construction and dates to the 19th century with later paint and mirror plate. Note: Regional differences in humidity and climate during shipping may cause antique and vintage wood...
Mirror, Wood
Russian Neoclassical Style Parcel Paint and Gilt Decorated Mirror
Located in Stamford, CT
Russian neoclassical style parcel paint and gilt decorated mirror with carved heads. The central mirror flanked by column-form sides depicting bodies with Egyptian heads on a red pai...
Mirror, Wood
Pair 19th Century Giltwood Trumeau Pier Mirrors With Period Compartmental Plates
Located in Dublin 8, IE
Pair 19th Century of giltwood trumeau pier mirrors with period compartmental plates set within ornate giltwood frames. The frames are intricately car...
Giltwood
Pair of Neoclassical Style Carved Wood Trumeau, Nineteenth Century
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A great pair of neoclassical style carved wood Trumeau, nineteenth century. Rectangular shape in Horizontal Orientation. Aged/worn down down gold leaf finish.
Wood
Italian 19th Century Neoclassical Style Patinated and Giltwood Trumeau
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking and most elegant Italian 19th century Neo-Classical st. patinated and giltwood trumeau mirror. The trumeau retains its original mirror plate set within a striking richly c...
Wood, Giltwood
Neoclassical Northern Italian Pier Mirror, Mahogany with Ebony and Gilt Bronze
Located in Buchanan, MI
Neoclassical Northern Italian pier mirror, mahogany with ebony and gilt bronze accents.
Ormolu
Pair of Italian Early 19th Century Neo-Classical St. Trumeau Mirrors
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and extremely decorative large scale true pair of Italian early 19th century neo-classical st. patinated wood trumeau mirrors. Each mirror is raised by an elegant mottled ...
Wood
18th Century Antique French Trumeau Mirror in Gilt Wood, Neoclassical
Located in Bradenton, FL
18th Century Antique French Neoclassical Trumeau Mirror in Painted and Gilt Wood. Mirror is painted in a soft, timeworn sage green with a beautifully aged patina. The frame is adorne...
Wood, Paint
Jay Strongwater Cloisonné Enamel Bird Handheld Mirror
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Vintage cloisonné enamel handheld mirror with parrot Bejeweled i.Jay Strongwater attr.
Metal, Enamel
French 19th Century Neoclassical Style Architectural Element Made into a Mirror
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French neoclassical style architectural element from the 19th century, made into a trumeau mirror. Born in France during the 19th century, this neoclassical style architectural ele...
Mirror, Wood
Early 19th Century American Hand Carved and Gilded Mirror, circa 1820s
Located in San Francisco, CA
Early 19th century American hand carved and gilded mirror, circa 1820s Wonderful early American antique mirror. Beautifully carved and gilded. ...
Wood, Giltwood
$2,404Sale Price|20% Off
Large Multi-Facets Mirror with Brass Garlands. French Work. Circa 1970
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This large mirror is made of multi-facets mirrors with brass garlands. This is a French work. Circa 1970
Brass
Antique Italian Neoclassical Giltwood Hand Painted 59" Trumeau Wall Mirror
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Antique Italian Neoclassical Giltwood Hand Painted 59" Trumeau Wall Mirror. Item feat...
Glass, Wood
$2,404Sale Price|20% Off
Fine Eglomise Neoclassical Trumeau Mirror, France, 1935
Located in Brussels, BE
Elegant "Eglomise" trumeau mirror with many details on a blackened wood base. Mercury central mirror. French, around 1935.
Mirror, Wood
Pair French Neoclassic Painted Trumeau Mirrors, mid 19th century
Located in Atlanta, GA
Originally built into the wall, Antique Trumeau mirrors have been the choice of aristocracy for centuries and for top designers in the 21st century as well. This particular couple were probably once a part of a much larger collection since the dimensions are slightly off as they were not machine made. The greek mythological paintings...
Canvas, Glass, Pine
French Directoire Painted And Giltwood Trumeau Mirror
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th century French Directoire painted and giltwood trumeau mirror with classical figures in gilt relief. Mirror is in ornate gilt frame on wood backboard with a blue painted rectang...
Mirror, Wood, Giltwood
Louis XVI Period Trumeau with Oval Pastoral Scene, c. 1790
Located in Atlanta, GA
A large Louis XVI period Trumeau Mirror, featuring a well-painted pastoral scene aligned above the rectangular mirror plate. The frame with a cream-painted ground accented by raised ...
Glass, Giltwood
French Louis XVI 18th Century Trumeau Mirror from Provence with Musical Trophy
Located in Bradenton, FL
A French Louis XVI period 18th century painted and gilt wooden trumeau mirror from Provence. Made in the South of France during the late 18th cen...
Mirror, Wood
Pair Of Large Palace Trumeaux (h247cm), Early 19th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Pair of large trumeaux from the early 19th century, in lacquered and gilded wood, with garlands, stars and baguettes in carved and gilded wood. The decoration on a painted canvas, in...
Wood
18th C. French Neoclassic "Petit Enfant" Trumeau Mirror
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French neoclassic carved and painted wood trumeau mirror from the 18th century. This antique mirror from France has the tall rectangular-shape, typical of trumeau design, with wood...
Wood
Northern Italian Neoclasical Walnut Mirror with Giltwood Decoration
Located in Buchanan, MI
A northern Italian neoclassical parcel gilt walnut mirror. Great scale and proportions. 19th century Height 55 1/4 x width 28 inches.
Mirror, Walnut