Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
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.
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Giltwood
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Brass
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Mirror, Oak
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Glass, Wood
2010s Sub-Saharan African Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Wire
18th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Other
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Composition
1780s Italian Antique Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Cut Glass, Walnut, Giltwood
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Gold Leaf
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Mirror, Giltwood
1990s American Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Ceramic, Mirror
20th Century Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Brass, Wire
1970s Spanish Vintage Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Mirror, Wood
19th Century Portuguese Antique Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Oak
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Metal
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Mirror, Wood
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Mirror, Wood
1990s Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Silver Leaf
1930s French Vintage Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Mirror, Wood
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Mirror, Wood
1820s American Antique Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Gesso, Mirror, Giltwood
20th Century Spanish Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Gold Leaf
Mid-20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Brass
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Mirror, Cherry, Paint
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Mirror, Fruitwood, Giltwood
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Gesso, Wood
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Glass, Mirror, Wood
1970s Spanish Vintage Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Mirror, Wood
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Giltwood, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Mirror, Giltwood
1970s Spanish Vintage Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Mirror, Wood
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Mirror, Giltwood
1880s French Antique Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Iron
1970s Spanish Vintage Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Mirror, Wood
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Mirror, Ebony, Oak
1970s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Mirror, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Mirror
20th Century Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Giltwood, Mirror
1970s Spanish Vintage Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Mirror, Wood
1970s Spanish Vintage Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Mirror, Wood
1970s Spanish Vintage Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Mirror, Wood
1970s Spanish Vintage Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Mirror, Wood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Giltwood
1970s Spanish Vintage Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Wood, Mirror
1970s Spanish Vintage Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Gold
1970s Spanish Vintage Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Mirror, Wood
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Wood
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Glass, Wood
Early 20th Century Spanish Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Brass
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Wood
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Mirror, Wood
19th Century Danish Antique Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Glass, Mirror
1810s Italian Antique Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Mirror, Ebony, Mahogany, Giltwood
1780s Italian Antique Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Mirror, Giltwood, Paint, Gesso
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Mirror, Hardwood
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Mirror, Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Mahogany, Mirror