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DESCRIPTION:
Offered for sale is a fabulous antique French vanity mirror, a grand and highly decorative relic of the Second French Empire (Napoleon III) period.
The mirror was most likely retailed through one of the many luxury boutiques and object dealers located within Paris\'s famed Palais Royal, which was renowned during the 19th century for its fashionable luxury goods and decorative arts. Grandly scaled and exceptionally elaborate, this example would have been well suited to the interiors of the nobility or affluent upper bourgeoisie.
The mirror is finely crafted from cast bronze with a lavish silver-plated finish and weighs over 20 lbs. Its exuberant design is characteristic of the Napoleon III period, which frequently combined and reinterpreted elements from earlier French historical styles, including Baroque, Louis XIV, and Rococo.
The tall, architectural frame is surmounted by a dramatic mascaron, thought to represent Father Time. Above the central mirror are two gracefully curved sections containing beveled mirror panels, each surrounded by elaborate swagged ornamentation. The principal mirror is framed by a fanciful cabochon border and crowned with plume-like decoration.
Adding to the imposing character of the piece are two sculptural lions, positioned on either side of the frame as though supporting it. Beneath each lion is a scrolling arm terminating in an elaborate candle cup decorated with cherubic faces, accompanied by coordinating Rococo-style drip pans and Neoclassical bobeches.
The lower central section is especially rich in ornament, featuring a shell and serpent motif above a female mascaron, thought to represent Venus, the goddess of beauty. The combination of mythological imagery, animal figures, scrolling foliage, cabochons, and architectural ornament gives the mirror the theatrical grandeur so closely associated with Second Empire interiors.
The mirror retains its silver-plated fold-out easel for tabletop or vanity display. The reverse is fitted with a later brass sheet-metal covering.
This is an exceptionally decorative and substantial piece that would make a striking addition to a French Victorian, Napoleon III, or Gilded Age interior, whether displayed on a vanity, dressing table, console, or as part of an eclectic decorative arts collection.
SHIPPING NOTE:
To help prevent damage during transit, each candle arm will be carefully unscrewed from the mirror prior to shipment and securely packaged separately. Signature confirmation will be required upon delivery.
CONDITION:
The mirror presents beautifully and is in good antique condition commensurate with age. The cast bronze frame exhibits minor surface wear, minor losses to the silver-plated finish, and areas of tarnish consistent with age. The mirror glass has minor surface wear and light scuffing; no cracks are noted.
The rear brass sheet-metal covering appears to be a later replacement and is bent in several areas, with later screws present. The mirror is being sold as found, with consideration given to its age and later alterations.
The candle-cups have been previously drilled for electricity. Two decorative elements appear to be missing from the lower part of the frame.
Please review all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the description and condition assessment.
DIMENSIONS:
• Height: 27-3/4\"
• Width: 22\" (arm to arm)
• Depth: Approximately 15\" (with easel)
