Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 13

Napoleon I Empire French Gold Leaf Wood Mirror

$2,714.23
£1,999.02
€2,260
CA$3,692.50
A$4,103.18
CHF 2,150.11
MX$50,318.17
NOK 27,423.39
SEK 25,798.92
DKK 17,205.03
Shipping
Retrieving quote...
The 1stDibs Promise:
Authenticity Guarantee,
Money-Back Guarantee,
24-Hour Cancellation

About the Item

We kindly suggest you read the whole description, because with it we try to give you detailed technical and historical information to guarantee the authenticity of our objects. Elegant wooden frame with mirror; on the upper side we find a carved ornament representing a bundle of ears; this part of the frame was treated with the technique of "leaf gilding": the "bolo Armeno" (red pigmented clay powder, mixed with glue) was spread, once dried, we proceeded with the application of very thin gold leaves; particular and elaborate workings present on the rest of the frame are obtained with the procedure called “pastiglia". The "pastiglia" processing, the fruit of the ancient artisan tradition, was born in Italy in the late fifteenth century, remains in use for most of the seventeenth century, and then continued in the nineteenth century. The "pastiglia" consisted of a mixture of gypsum (calcium carbonate), vegetable-gluey resins, honey, linseed oil, and often marble dust. On the wooden support a veil of cloth was glued and subsequently various states of "pastiglia" were spread, this was then imprinted or engraved or finely modeled, usually, the decorative motifs were in bas-relief, then the whole was allowed to harden and in the end, it was applied the gilding. The mirror is a very important part, in fact, it was made with the ancient technique of mercury, which consisted of depositing the metal over a series of layers of tin flattened on the glass, the mercury was then smoothed and polished with a special stone and buffered, the resulting mixture was called "bright silver". This technique was developed by the Venetian Glass Masters (Maestro Dal Gallo 1507); the Venetian Republic placed the processing under secret, but over time it leaked from the city and spread to European nations, first of all, France: the Gallery of Mirrors in the Castle of Versailles is decorated with hundreds of mercury mirrors! The imperfections of our mirror, the small spots, its veiled superficial patina, and the tin-plated back, attest to its antiquity and authenticity, making it a unique, useful, and beautiful furnishing accessory. Produced in France in 1815. Measures: Cm 102 x 64 x 5. For all our shipments we use special packaging materials (wooden crates, styrofoam, etc.) for maximum protection and safety of the objects.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 40.16 in (102 cm)Width: 25.2 in (64 cm)Depth: 1.97 in (5 cm)
  • Style:
    Empire (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1815
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. The imperfections of our mirror, the small spots, its veiled superficial patina, and the tin-plated back, attest to its antiquity and authenticity.
  • Seller Location:
    Prato, IT
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 111701stDibs: LU4632223889672

More From This Seller

View All
Italian Rococo Style Mirror With Gilded Brass Border
Located in Prato, Tuscany
Please kindly read the entire description, as we strive to provide you with detailed technical and historical information to ensure the authenticity of our objects. This fascinating ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Rococo Wall Mirrors

Materials

Brass

Rococo’ Giltwood Frame and Double Mirror, France
Located in Prato, Tuscany
We kindly suggest you read the whole description, because with it we try to give you detailed technical and historical information to guarantee the authenticity of our objects. Sumpt...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Rococo Wall Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Wood

Napoleon III Style Wall Mirror In Burnished Brass "Repoussé" Workmanship
Located in Prato, Tuscany
We kindly suggest that you read the entire description, as with it we try to give you detailed technical and historical information to guarantee the authenticity of our objects. Eleg...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Wall Mirrors

Materials

Brass

Midcentury Large Italian Wall Mirror with Gilded Metal Frame
Located in Prato, Tuscany
We kindly encourage you to read the entire description, as we strive to provide comprehensive technical and historical information to guarantee the authenticity of our items. This st...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirrors

Materials

Metal

Vintage Gilt Metal French Mirror with Vine Leaves
Located in Prato, Tuscany
We kindly suggest you read the whole description, because with it we try to give you detailed technical and historical information to guarantee the authenticity of our objects. Particular and eyecatching mirror in gilded metal; around the round mirror the craftsman has created a harmonious, supple, and graceful structure with a flat gilded metal wire, then he has delicately and skillfully placed some vine leaves...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirrors

Materials

Metal

French Art Nouveau Wrought Iron Mirror With Beveled Glass
Located in Prato, Tuscany
We kindly invite you to read the full description, as we provide detailed technical and historical information to ensure the authenticity of our items. This exquisite French Art Nouv...
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Wall Mirrors

Materials

Wrought Iron

You May Also Like

Napoleon III Louis XVI Style Gilt Wood Mirror
Located in Montreal, QC
Napoleon III Louis XVI Style Gilt Wood Mirror
Category

Antique 1890s French Louis XVI Wall Mirrors

Materials

Wood

French 19th Century Louis XVI Gold Leaf Mirror
Located in New Orleans, LA
This gorgeous Louis XVI rectangular mirror is gold leafed, and dates back to the 19th century, circa 1860. The piece is a combination of giltwood and gilt-gesso. The top of the piece...
Category

Antique 19th Century French Wall Mirrors

Materials

Gold Leaf

Napoleon III Giltwood Parclose Mirror
Located in Houston, TX
France, Mid 19th Century An exceptionally fine Napoleon III parclose Mirror, with its original bevelled mercury glass mirror plate. The design is extremely decorative, its crest fea...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Wall Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Giltwood

Grand 19th Century French Napoleon III Period Gilded Mirror
Located in Dallas, TX
Grand 19th Century French Napoleon III Period Gilded Mirror is a magnificent example of the craftsmanship and artistry of one of the golden ages in French design! The neoclassical d...
Category

Antique 1870s French Napoleon III Mantel Mirrors and Fireplace Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Giltwood

French 18th Century Louis XVI Giltwood Wall Mirror or Trumeau
Located in Berlin, DE
French 18th century Louis XVI giltwood wall mirror or trumeau The giltwood mirror containing an old mirror plate within a moulded and beaded frame. The cresting showing a neoclass...
Category

Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Wall Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Giltwood

French Napoleon III Style Gilt Wall Mirror
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
French Napoleon III Style Gilt Wall Mirror This is an old and very attractive piece, the mirror has a very decorative gilt frame edged with swags and leaf decoration in the centre a...
Category

Antique 1850s Napoleon III Wall Mirrors

Materials

Giltwood