Large French Blue Painted Napoleon III Beveled Wall Mirror, Circa 1850

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The period of Napoleon III, also known as the Second Empire, was an eclectic style, drawing from the preceding periods. … Read more The period of Napoleon III, also known as the Second Empire, was an eclectic style, drawing from the preceding periods. Regardless of where the inspiration came from, the main tenet of furnishings from this period was to leave no space undecorated. This large wall mirror adheres to this principle, from the bead and reel that surrounds the shaped beveled glass to the elaborate crest that tops the arched frame.

Outside of the bead and reel border is a thick quarter-round molding adorned with twisted fluting. A winged putto forms the center of the crest, flanked near the bottom by a pair of foliate rinceaux. Just outside the terminal whorl of each leaf is a flowering urn finial above a gargoyle looking out from the sides of the frame. A floral bouquet hands from the mouth of each mascaron, extending well off the angular corners of the frame. At the rounded bottom of the frame is a shaped cartouche with an inset cabochon. Two large leaves curl up the sides of the mirror, set above and to the sides of the cartouche. The entire frame has been painted more recently in a light blue, making our Napoleon III beveled wall mirror a unique addition for a hallway, bathroom, or living room. See less