Neoclassical Trumeau 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 20th Century Neoclassical Trumeau Mirrors
Mirror, Giltwood
20th Century French Neoclassical Trumeau Mirrors
Wood, Paint
Early 2000s North American Neoclassical Trumeau Mirrors
Wood, Mirror
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Trumeau Mirrors
Wood
1930s French Vintage Neoclassical Trumeau Mirrors
Mirror, Wood, Paint
20th Century French Neoclassical Trumeau Mirrors
Mirror, Wood
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Trumeau Mirrors
Mirror, Giltwood
Late 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Trumeau Mirrors
Glass, Giltwood
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Trumeau Mirrors
Pine, Mirror, Giltwood
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Trumeau Mirrors
Wood, Mirror, Paint
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Trumeau Mirrors
Glass, Mirror, Giltwood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Trumeau Mirrors
Mirror, Wood, Giltwood
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Trumeau Mirrors
Brass
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Trumeau Mirrors
Mirror
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Trumeau Mirrors
Mirror, Wood
1970s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Trumeau Mirrors
Wood, Giltwood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Trumeau Mirrors
Mirror, Wood
18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Trumeau Mirrors
Wood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Trumeau Mirrors
Mirror, Wood
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Trumeau Mirrors
Canvas, Glass, Pine
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Trumeau Mirrors
Mirror, Wood, Paint, Giltwood
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Trumeau Mirrors
Gold Leaf
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Trumeau Mirrors
Gold Leaf
Early 1800s Great Britain (UK) Antique Neoclassical Trumeau Mirrors
Beech, Wood
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Trumeau Mirrors
Wood, Giltwood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Trumeau Mirrors
Wood
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Trumeau Mirrors
Wood, Giltwood
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Trumeau Mirrors
Ormolu
Early 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Trumeau Mirrors
Wood
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Trumeau Mirrors
Mirror, Walnut
1950s Vintage Neoclassical Trumeau Mirrors
Giltwood, Mirror
1930s French Vintage Neoclassical Trumeau Mirrors
Mirror, Wood
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Trumeau Mirrors
Wood
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Trumeau Mirrors
Mirror, Wood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Trumeau Mirrors
Oak, Mirror
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Trumeau Mirrors
Walnut, Mirror
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Trumeau Mirrors
Mirror, Wood
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Trumeau Mirrors
Wood, Mirror
Early 19th Century Irish Antique Neoclassical Trumeau Mirrors
Giltwood
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Trumeau Mirrors
Wood