Wall mirror - Gilt brass - France

Incredible antique French wooden vanity mirror from the early 19th century, with a cover in carved brass and gilded with gold leaf, distinguished by an elegant architectural profile known as the “ear-shaped” and neoclassical decorative motifs. The linear structure and geometric motifs (such as the egg-and-dart moulding and the internal beaded pattern) strongly recall the Neoclassical taste and the Empire Style, flourishing between the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The projecting “ear-shaped” corner is embellished with a carved rose in bas-relief; the inner surround (in contact with the glass) features a dense row of bosses and convex spheres, and there is a beautiful putto carved in the upper pediment. The mirror glass shows characteristic oxidation and dark speckling, evidence of antique mercurial mirror backing. Truly unique piece, extremely rare given the construction technique in brass with gold leaf, highly sought after in the antiques market, in excellent condition.