Mirror - Bronze - Bronze hand mirror

This hand mirror is a classic example of the Art Nouveau style, an artistic movement that reached its peak between 1890 and 1910.

Art Nouveau is instantly recognizable by its curved, organic lines, often called "lignes en coup de fouet". The mirror is the perfect illustration of this:

The silhouette of the woman whose hair and body literally transform into the mirror's structure is typical of the era. The woman was the movement's main muse.

Unlike classical styles, the curves here are fluid and asymmetrical, seeking to imitate the natural growth of plants.

This kind of mirror was very popular in France (under the influence of artists like Alphonse Mucha) and in Belgium. It was an essential grooming accessory for bourgeois women of the time.