Mirrors
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Sold
France, c. 1770/80, moulded softwood frame, in the form of of stylised blossoms, laurel leaves and a pair of doves, gilt carved, gilded, mirror panel slightly stained, 160 x 103 cm, beautiful restored condition, small parts replaced.
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€2,800.00Beautiful french golden mirror from the second half of the 18th century, profiled softwood frame. Softwood frame, carved in the shape of leaves, a hat and garden tools, gold mount, mirrored panel, slightly spotted. Dimension: 92 x 68 cm. Nice and well-kept general condition, the frame has been reworked.
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€7,800.00- Grand Salon Mirror from France
- Epoch Louis XVI, around 1780
- Profiled softwood frame, decorated with carved appliqués in the form of floral festoons, cornucopias and and laurel leaves, partially grey and gold framed, openworked
openwork, renewed mirror panel - 190cm x104cm
- Restored condition
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Sold
Louis XVI style, second half of the 19th century, profiled softwood frame, decorated with pearl bars and so-called ox-eye bar profiles.
ox-eye profiles, carved in the form of quivers, flower festoons and laurel leaves, original gilding, renewed faceted mirror panel, 200 x 118 cm, beautiful well-kept general condition, lightly rubbed in places.
Mirrors
Before mirrors were invented, the first and only possibility to look at oneself was a smooth water surface. The first portable mirrors were found in ancient Ottoman tombs 7,000 years ago. They were made of finely polished obsidian, a type of volcanic rock. After that, polished bronze or copper plates were mainly used. Romans used silver mirrors.
Glass was first used in Sidon in the II century. In the XIV century, convex mirrors could be made from blown glass. By the XV century, various other technologies had been developed, but they were all very expensive and therefore reserved for the wealthy.
The breakthrough came with the Venetian glassblowers from Murano, who were able to produce flat, mercury-coated crystal mirrors. They had a monopoly on this and their technology was top secret.
Louis XIV recognised the importance of large, flat mirrors for interior design. He hired 20 craftsmen from Murano and built the royal mirror manufactory, without which the famous mirror gallery in Versailles would not have been possible. Mirrors remained very expensive. A 2-square-metre mirror cost an annual salary of a glassblower.
Mirrors were very valuable and since they existed, they were provided with elaborate handles, cases or frames.
From the XVII, XVII and XIX centuries we know above all mirrors in carved, gold-framed wooden frames. They were indispensable in distinguished interiors. They are an important element of the decorative art of the last 3 centuries.
In the XIX century, mercury coating was replaced by silver, as the toxicity of mercury vapours was recognised. Today’s mirrors are coated with aluminium.