Louis XV Rococo Ivory Lacquer Dressing Table with Shaped Gilt Mirror

Design & Inspiration

There is a particular quality of morning light that a room receives only when a well-placed mirror catches it and scatters it across cream-painted walls. This dressing table — faithfully reproduced in the tradition of Louis XV Rococo furniture — brings exactly that kind of considered luminosity into the bedroom. The shaped gilt mirror rises above a seven-drawer case in ivory lacquer, the whole ensemble forming a visual anchor that gives the room both its center of gravity and its most personal corner. This is not merely a place to arrange oneself before the day; it is a piece of furniture with enough presence to define the character of an entire room.

Materials & Craftsmanship

The case is built from solid beech, kiln-dried for dimensional stability in changing climates. Over the wood, artisans have applied a hand-painted ivory lacquer finish — layered, rubbed, and burnished to achieve the soft depth that distinguishes a painted piece of quality from a merely decorated one. The gilded elements — the cabriole legs with their scroll feet, the acanthus-and-rocaille cartouche centered on the kneehole apron, the scrolled connecting bridge between mirror and table, and the scallop-shell crest of the mirror frame — are executed in antique gold gilding over hand-carved gesso profiles. Each carved detail is resolved by hand, with the C-scrolls and shell motifs carrying the asymmetric vitality that defines authentic Rococo ornament rather than its simplified modern interpretations.

Dimensions & Details

Width: 170 cm / Depth: 50 cm / Height: 180 cm
The seven drawers — two banks of three flanking a central shallow kneehole drawer — are fitted with circular brass ring pulls finished in antique bronze. The kneehole space is generously proportioned to accommodate a matching stool. The shaped mirror frame, with its scrolled lower extensions that meet the table surface, creates a unified architectural silhouette rather than a table with an unrelated mirror resting behind it. The mirror plate itself is clear and unaged, providing a practical reflective surface within the decorative frame.

Handcrafted in Egypt

Every element of this dressing table is produced by hand in Brass & Wood's Egyptian workshops, where craftsmen trained in classical European joinery, carving, and gilding techniques produce furniture to exacting standards. The solid beech frame is mortise-and-tenon jointed; the gesso carved profiles are applied by hand before gilding; the ivory lacquer receives multiple coats with intermediate sanding. The result is a piece that honors the original intention of Louis XV furniture: that the daily ritual of the dressing table should feel like a private ceremony, conducted before an object worthy of the occasion.

Frequently Asked Questions

What materials is this made from?

The frame and case are constructed from solid beech. The finish is a hand-applied ivory lacquer over the wood, with antique gold gilded carvings in gesso over the ornamental elements. The mirror is clear glass with a wooden gilt frame. Drawer pulls are brass in an antique bronze finish.

Is assembly required?

Minimal assembly is required — primarily attaching the mirror to the table base, which is designed for straightforward connection. Full assembly instructions and necessary hardware are included.

Can this dressing table be customized?

Yes. Brass & Wood offers customization of the lacquer color, gilding tone (antique gold, bright gold, or silver), and drawer hardware finish. Contact our team to discuss bespoke specifications before placing your order.