This mirror with its intricately detailed ornamentation, skillfully captures the essence of the neoclassic style. It features an urn surrounded by elaborately cascading flowers and leaves. Its gilt wood frame has the light, airy quality so often associated with decorative motifs used by the main proponent of neoclassicism in England, Scottish architect Robert Adam. Adam introduced the neoclassic style to England in the 1760s, but it did not gain wide favvor in America until after the Revolution.

• Oval Neoclassic Looking Glass Introduced in 1938
• WILLIAMSBURG CWLG3

In the American colonies during the early 18th century, those who wanted to buy looking glasses usually had to buy English imports, whose already high prices were increased substantially with the cost of shipping. The craftsmanship to make a mirror's frame required great skill and expertise. Plate glass was very expensive and time consuming to manufacture and had a high frequency of breakage. For these reasons, mirrors were highly treasured, expensive possessions.

• Neoclassic Oval Looking Glass

Later in the 1700s, however, new technologies for making plate glass helped lower the cost dramatically, and the colonial middle class clamored to purchase these stylish and newly affordable ways to reflect.