Antique French Bronze Dore Mirrors With Mascarons and Floral Motifs, Circa 1880 - a Pair

Description

This pair of small bronze dore mirrors are from France, circa 1880, and were made in the style of Louis … more This pair of small bronze dore mirrors are from France, circa 1880, and were made in the style of Louis XIV.

The intricate bronze dore frames have a large cartouche at the top of the frame that depicts a mascaron with a floral headband. Mascarons are faces, usually human, that were used for centuries in architectural structures. They were placed on the walls to prevent evil spirits from entering the building. Eventually, mascarons were adapted into ornamentation on furniture and accessories. The cartouche also contains a palmette emanating from the top of the mascaron that serves as a perch for an eagle. Beneath the mascaron is a garland of laurel leaves. Flanking the cartouche is a pair of urns holding floral bouquets, which sit on a capital adorned with fluting. A similarly fluted border runs from the capital up to the cartouche.

Garlands of flowers, interlaced with swags of ribbon, run down both sides of the frames as well as the bottom of it. The ribbons are tied around a border adorned with several rows of spiral fluting. At the bottom of the frame, there is a wide urn with scrolled handles that contains a floral bouquet.

The beveled mirrors are 8 ½ inches tall x 5 ½ inches wide and are surrounded by a molded border. The back side of the glass is secured by an original tin plate that is screwed into the back of the frame. The backs of the bronze frames have small loops near the top for hanging purposes.

A piece of wire has been passed through the loops, meaning these Louis XIV style bronze dore mirrors can be placed on a wall in a hallway or bathroom to brighten up the area. You could also separate the pair and place them in different areas of the home. less