This mantel mirror displays a classic allure, balancing a country spirit with Second Empire refinement. Its frame with rounded top corners, known as a "gendarme's hat" style, is accented by an inner beaded frieze that creates a very polished decorative presence. The gilding pairs easily with a living room in soft tones, a stone fireplace mantel, or a patinated console in an entryway. Tall and slender, it dresses the wall with elegance while bringing light into the room. Above an antique fireplace, it can be accompanied by brass candlesticks and a vase of dried flowers. As a second-hand piece, it bears the marks of its history: nails, pinprick marks, oxidation of the tin/silvering, and a slight seam or joint line in the center of the backing.
Width: 110 cm
Depth: 6 cm
Height: 165 cm
A brief history of the Louis Philippe mirror
In the past, the mirrors of great monarchs were recognizable by their cornices laden with ornamentation. But during the reign of Louis-Philippe, a bourgeois style developed that was less concerned with originality than with comfort. Louis-Philippe mirrors were therefore more sober and streamlined. Unlike mirrors from previous eras, the wood is no longer carved, but molded and coated with a gesso primer. The top of the mirror frame is rounded, in the shape of a gendarme's hat. For decoration, beads or acanthus leaves at the bottom accentuate the cornice with a gold-leaf effect that illuminates the whole piece. Large mirrors installed over fireplaces add clarity and perspective to living spaces.
