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.
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Giltwood
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Mirror, Giltwood
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Mirror, Giltwood
1960s Spanish Vintage Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Giltwood
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Mirror
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Mirror, Wood, Giltwood
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Wood
1930s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Mirror, Giltwood
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Mirror, Giltwood
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Mirror
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Giltwood
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Composition
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Mirror, Wood
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Mirror, Plaster
Mid-20th Century European Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Wood, Paint
1960s Vintage Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Metal
1930s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Gesso, Wood, Paint
1930s Swedish Vintage Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Pewter
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Mirror, Wood
1940s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Mirror, Resin
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Mirror, Giltwood
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Brass
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Mirror, Cherry, Paint
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Metal
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Mirror
1930s French Vintage Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Mirror, Wood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Brass
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Mirror, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Mirror, Giltwood
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Glass, Mirror, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Mahogany, Mirror
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Glass, Mirror
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Glass, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Mirror, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Mirror, Giltwood
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Mirror, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Mirror, Giltwood
1940s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Mirror
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Composition
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Wood, Mirror
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Metal
1930s French Vintage Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Mirror, Giltwood
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Mirror, Resin, Wood, Giltwood
1930s French Vintage Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Bronze, Wrought Iron
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Mirror, Wood, Paint
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Mirror
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Mirror, Wood
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Wrought Iron
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Mahogany, Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Giltwood, Mirror
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Mirror
1940s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Glass
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Mirror, Wood
1950s Vintage Neoclassical Wall Mirrors
Giltwood, Mirror