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Mid Century 'Arnolfini' Convex Witches Enamel Sunburst Mirror, Spain, 1950s
$1,974.84
£1,450
€1,699.22
CA$2,768.23
A$3,049.94
CHF 1,578.83
MX$36,722.07
NOK 19,991.86
SEK 18,781.08
DKK 12,687.93
About the Item
A fantastic small size mid century ‘Arnolfini’ style witch’s mirror in the Renaissance Revival style with an old gold painted wood frame and enamel cabochons, made in Spain c. 1950.
The mirror is convex and has a slightly dark tint which works perfectly with the design of the frame. The hand carved wooden surround has an old gold finish to the front that reveals the grain of the wood and has a lovely sense of age. Embedded into the frame are alternating red and black circular enamel cabochons, their form reflecting the convex shape of the mirror. The interior edge of the mirror is painted black with painted red dashes, the red and black echoing the colour of the enamel cabochons. The whole design is heavily reminiscent of the mirror in Van Eyck’s ‘Arnolfini Portrait’ from 1434 – the convex plate, the shape of the mirror and the distribution of the cabochons are identical to the Arnolfini mirror, even down to the dashes around the mirror bezel.
Convex mirrors are also known as "banker's mirrors", and this is only one of numerous names for them. They are also known as butler's mirrors, witch's eye mirrors, dome mirrors, diverging mirrors, or fish-eye mirrors. They have also been known bullseye mirrors, and as Flemish mirrors thanks in particular to Van Eyck’s Arnolfini portrait where one of these mirrors famously appears in the background.
The curved mirror surface has an interesting history: convex mirrors were used by bankers, goldsmiths, and moneylenders to monitor a room or area at a glance. These mirrors provided a wide, distorted field of view, allowing the user to observe more than a traditional flat mirror and to keep an eye on customers or activity without turning away from their work. The term ‘witch’s eye’ or ‘sorcerer’s eye’ mirror was another term for this design, as their curved form was believed to ward off bad luck, often placed near to windows to create interesting effects with the incoming daylight.
There are a couple of tiny scratches to the mirror, commensurate with age. Otherwise it is in very good vintage condition. It even retains the original retailer’s label to the reverse.
This is a highly decorative piece with wonderful patina and a great sense of Renaissance Revival style.
- Dimensions:Height: 1.19 in (3 cm)Diameter: 11.82 in (30 cm)
- Style:Renaissance Revival (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU9676246952022
About the Seller
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