Tortoise Shell Wall Mirrors

Of rectangular form with varying moldings of ripple and cushion forms, the frame overall with ebonized ground and applied tortoiseshell veneers

A Rare and Unusual Pair of 18th Century Spanish Colonial 'Enconchado' Mirrors Veneered in Tortoiseshell and Inlaid With Bone and Mother of Pearl Made in Lima (Peru) or Mexico Circa 1720 Provenance One of the mirrors with a fragmentary label printed with "Bodmer", possibly relating to one of the branches of the Bodmer family in Switzerland, some of whom were renowned collectors of South American art The mirrors of rectangular form with ripple moulded outer borders framing tortoishell veneered inner borders inlaid with fine bone stringing and sinuous floral motifs inlaid in mother of pearl. The sight edges also veneered and inlaid with a repeating geometric motif. The mirrors are notable for the fine quality of the inlay, their unusually large size for this date, in particular the size of the plates themselves (possibly original) and the fact that they are a pair. The term 'Enconchado' comes from Spanish colonial art, particularly associated with Mexico, comprising of oil paintings inlaid with mother of pearl and other iridescent minerals. This form of art is discussed in great detail by Miguel Arisa in his essay Luminosity in Mexican Enconchado Paintings and Conceptions of the Sacred in Visual Culture and Indigenous Agency in the Early Americas, The Early Americas: History and Culture, Volume: 10 Chapter 4 (October 2021). He argues that the development of this style was an attempt to combine pre-Hispanic indigenous South American traditions regarding the sacred properties of "shiny objects" and "Baroque concepts of the miraculous", the sparkling inlay adding to the power of the European religious imagery. Mirrors such as the present pair are likewise cross-cultural objects, fusing European form and aesthetic concerns with indigenous craftsmanship to create objects of great prestige and decorative appeal. The ripple mouldings are clearly the result of a 17th century Dutch...

A clean Mid Century Drexel Hollywood Regency Faux Bamboo Tortoise Shell Wood Mirror Measures 28.25" w x 1 "D x 45.5"H.  

A spectacular and most impressive large scale French mid 19th century Louis XIV st. Boulle mirror. The original beveled mirror plate is within a frame th...

A French Louis-Philippe style mirror from circa 1920 featuring a richly colored faux tortoiseshell frame with rounded upper corners and a contrasting ebonized inner molding. The fram...

Vintage Tessellated Tortoise Mirror in the manner of Maitland Smith, is a unique and stylish accent mirror perfect for adding a touch of elegance to any room. The square-shaped mirro...

Dutch tortoiseshell mirror Ebonised ripple moulded frame of concave form, the old mirror plate with blemishes. Dutch, late 19th Century 56.5cm H, 48.5cm W, 6cm D.

Fantastic Tortoise shell ripple frame mirror. Dutch/Flemish, mid 20th century.

An outstanding pair of Italian 17th century ebonized fruitwood and tortoiseshell small scale Florentine mirrors/picture frames. Each beautiful f...

Mirror In Tortoise Shell And Curly Black Wood In The Style Of 17th Century Antwerp Frames, Circa 1930

A stunning and most decorative Continental early 19th century Baroque st. Tortoiseshell and Ebonized Fruitwood mirror. This wonderful rectangular mirror retains its original beveled ...

Great pair of Octagonal form mirrors by Anthony Redmile with chrome frames inset with bone & tortoise shell inlay.

Flemish or Italian with double ripple frame. The back was added at a later date. Circa 1700.

A stunning pair of Flemish early 19th century Baroque st. Tortoiseshell mirrors. Each mirror retains its original beveled mirror plates set within a beautiful unique wave like design...

A striking Continental 18th century Tortoiseshell and giltwood mirror. The original mirror plate is set within a beautiful mottled giltwood bo...