Mirror - mirror - Guilloché-Ebonized

Antique painted mirror in an ebonized wooden frame with daisies and a signature.

Description:
This is a fascinating antique mirror with floral decorations painted directly onto the surface. It is housed in a fine solid wood frame and features an artist's signature.

Period: Late 19th - Early 20th century (circa 1881-1920)

Technique and Materials: A painting on a mirror surface, where floral motifs were applied directly to the outer surface of the mirrored glass using oil paints. This technique, less common than reverse painting, yields a distinctive visual effect by combining the reflection with the frontal painting. The deep frame is in ebonized wood (wood stained black to resemble ebony), characterized by a decorative carved pattern known as guilloché along the edges.

Subject: The floral decoration consists of a delicate bouquet of white daisies with yellow centers and small lilies of the valley, with green leaves and violet accents, painted to appear three-dimensional on the mirrored background. This type of decoration is characteristic of decorative art from the late 19th to the early 20th century.

Signature: The artwork features an orange stylized mark/signature, visible in the bottom-center corner, indicating a signed piece of artwork.

Conditions: The item is in good overall condition given its age. There is the presence of two termite holes, but the infestation has been verified and is currently inactive. Please rely on the detailed photos for an accurate analysis.