Pair of 19th Century Italian Oval Sunburst Mirrors

Description

Sunbursts have been associated with churches for centuries, from saintly halos in medieval paintings to carved wooden accents on the … more Sunbursts have been associated with churches for centuries, from saintly halos in medieval paintings to carved wooden accents on the alters of Christian churches. It wasn’t until Louis the XIV of France anointed himself the “Sun King” that the sunburst made its way into secular designs led by French furniture-makers, who incorporated sunbursts into their designs establishing it as a prominent motif in Western decorative art.
It was the Italians who in the 18th and 19th centuries added the mirror feature that took the sunburst to the next level, making the sunburst mirror a coveted design element throughout Europe.
These can be hung horizontal or vertical. Right now the hook is fitted to hang with the oval vertically, but a new hook could be added to hang horizontally.

These were purchased in France. less