Wall mirror - mercury glass - Height: 73 cm

Art Deco Mirror Shield – European Handmade Craftsmanship (c. 1920-1930) – Mercury Glass

Elegant wall mirror with bold lines, fully attributable to the Art Deco taste of the 1920s and 1930s. The piece stands out for its shield-shaped structure, a period-typical design that blends the austerity of geometric forms with the softness of floral scrolls in the crest.

Constructive Characteristics:

The Frame: Made of solid ebony-stained hardwood with thin internal profiles in gold leaf (or mission gilding). The structure is an excellent example of pre-industrial artisanal cabinetmaking: the frame is not a single stamped piece, but consists of four distinct elements assembled with haunched mortise-and-tenon joints, clearly visible from the back.

The Crest: The upper part is finely hand-carved with stylized natural motifs and a central six-pointed star, a recurring symbol in the decorative design of the era, which lends the object sober elegance.

The Glass (Valuable Element): The mirror features period glass of considerable thickness (about 5-6 mm), with a reflection based on an amalgam (probably mercury/tin). When viewed against the light, the glass shows the typical “vibration” or slight waviness due to the manual draw of the plate. The presence of light “flowers” (foxing) and pinpoint oxidations are not defects, but authentic certificates of antiquity proving its originality and unaltered character.

Condition:

The item presents in good original conservation. The structure is solid. A natural cracking of the wood on the left side is noted, due to the physiological shrinkage of the wood fibers over a century, a detail that confirms its era and does not compromise stability. The rear back panel is intact, composed of time-oxidized solid wood boards, fixed with original nails.

Dimensions:

Overall footprint: 73 x 45 cm
Mirror opening: 48 x 35 cm