The Venetian Mirror: always chic, never has-been

wp:paragraph The Venetian mirror is a decorative element that blends perfectly with a wide range of interiors. It's at home in a cosy, old-fashioned setting, and goes wonderfully well with contemporary furniture. Its aristocratic side brings a real personality to a corner of the house, or to a room. While it could be associated with an outdated decorative accessory, it is in fact timeless. The adjective Venetian refers to the Republic of Venice, a period in history when the production of Venetian mirrors invaded the whole of Europe... Focus on a piece of furniture that caters for all tastes... The Venetian mirror is a decorative element that blends in well with very different interiors. In a cosy, antique setting, it is a natural fit, as it is with contemporary furniture. Its aristocratic side brings a real personality to a corner of the house, or to a room. While it could be associated with an outdated decorative accessory, it is in fact timeless. The adjective Venetian refers to the Republic of Venice, a period in history when the production of Venetian mirrors invaded the whole of Europe... Focus on a piece of furniture that caters for all tastes... /wp:paragraph wp:image {"align": "centre", "id":12075, "sizeSlug": "large"} On the wall, a vintage Venetian mirror in a contemporary setting. On the wall, a vintage Venetian mirror in a contemporary setting. © deco.fr /wp:image wp:paragraph Let's start with the history of the Venetian mirror. Although mirrors have existed for thousands of years, it wasn't until the 11th century that man rediscovered the techniques for making them. By the 13th century, glass mirrors were appearing in Europe. At the end of the same century, the Republic of Venice set up master glassmakers on the island of Murano, where the first major glassworks were born and developed. Let's start with the history of the Venetian mirror. Although mirrors have existed for thousands of years, it wasn't until the 11th century that man rediscovered the techniques for making them. By the 13th century, glass mirrors were appearing in Europe. At the end of the same century, the Republic of Venice settled master glassmakers on the island of Murano, where the first major glassworks were born and developed. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph The Murano master glassmakers quickly developed techniques and know-how that were unrivalled at the time. Mirrors became a speciality of the glassmakers on the small Venetian island. In the 15th century, they invented the production of tinned mirrors, i.e. mirrors made from an amalgam of tin and mercury. Using this technique, the master glassmakers of Murano created mirrors with a lustrous reflective surface of great purity. At the height of their power during the Renaissance, Venetian mirror-makers in Murano became a distinct corporation. /wp:paragraph wp:image {"align": "center", "id":12076, "sizeSlug": "large"} 17th-century Italian mirror in carved and gilded wood with a rock motif. An exceptional piece that highlights the work of enriching the frame. 17th century Italian mirror in carved and gilded wood with rock motif. An exceptional piece that highlights the enrichment of the frame. © anticstore /wp:image wp:image {"align": "center", "id":12078, "sizeSlug": "large"} The same piece, details. The outside of the frame is carved in gilded wood with a scallop shell motif. The interior engraving incorporates carving decorated with leaves. Details of the same piece. The outer edge of the frame is carved in gilded wood with a scallop shell motif. The interior engraving incorporates a carving decorated with leaves. anticstore /wp:image wp:paragraph The Venetian mirror therefore refers to its Italian origins, in particular the quality of the glass made in Murano. In 1665, Louis XIV, jealous of the success of the Venetian mirror industry, launched the Manufacture royale de glaces de miroirs. In 1672, the Kingdom of France stopped importing Venetian mirrors. French craftsmen now produced large mirrors of exceptional quality. The Venetian mirror therefore refers to its Italian origins, in particular the quality of the glass made in Murano. In 1665, Louis XIV, jealous of the success of the Venetian mirror industry, launched the Manufacture Royale de Glaces de Miroirs. In 1672, the Kingdom of France stopped importing Venetian mirrors. From then on, Venetian mirrors evolved with the styles of the time. It became an integral part of interior design, with shapes and frames adapted to the style of the overall décor. In France, for example, the Rococo style, marked by an abundance of decorative elements, saw mirror frames enriched with combinations of precious woods, scales, mother-of-pearl and brass. Mirror frames were often solid and gilded. From then on, the Venetian mirror evolved with the styles of the period. It became a genuine element of interior design, with shapes and frames adapted to the style of the overall décor. In France, for example, the Rococo style, marked by an abundance of decorative elements, saw mirror frames enriched with combinations of precious woods, scales, mother-of-pearl and brass. Mirror frames were often solid and gilded. /wp:paragraph wp:image {"align": "center", "id":12079, "sizeSlug": "large"} Large rectangular Venetian mirror in the Rococo style. The wood is richly carved with foliage, scrolls and birds. The pediment is richly decorated. Large rectangular Venetian mirror in the Rococo style. The wood is richly carved with foliage, scrolls and birds. The pediment is richly decorated © galerie-atena /wp:image wp:paragraph Over the centuries, the Venetian mirror has become a symbolic decorative object and a symbol of its owner's social status. It accompanied the artistic and decorative movements of the Neoclassical period (ornamenting the frame with antique motifs), Art Nouveau and then Art Deco (greater simplicity, geometric motifs, symmetry of shapes). Over the centuries, the Venetian mirror became a symbolic decorative object that reflected its owner's social status. It accompanied the artistic and decorative movements of the Neoclassical period (ornamenting the frame with antique motifs), Art Nouveau and then Art Deco (greater simplicity, geometric motifs, symmetry of shapes). /wp:paragraph wp:image {"align": "centre", "id":12080, "sizeSlug": "large"} Mirror from the Art Deco period. Scrolls and curved lines with perfect symmetry. Art Deco period mirror. Scrolls and curved lines with perfect symmetry. © designmag /wp:image wp:paragraph Did you know? In addition to its generic name, the Venetian mirror also refers to a type of mirror that was frequently imported from Venice during the Renaissance: the pareclose mirror. To make larger mirrors, Venetian mirror-makers enlarged their size using smaller pieces arranged around the central mirror. Did you know? In addition to its generic name, the Venetian mirror also refers to a type of mirror that was frequently imported from Venice during the Renaissance: the pareclose mirror. To make larger mirrors, Venetian mirror-makers enlarged their size by using smaller pieces arranged around the central mirror. /wp:paragraph wp:image {"align": "center", "id":12081, "sizeSlug": "large"} Large wooden mirror with gilded stuck glass, Napoleon III period (19th century). A French mirror, yet it was Venetian craftsmen who first designed this style of mirror, which was frequently imported at the time, hence its name "Venetian" mirror. The term parcloses refers to the decorative intermediate frame (known as an enclosure) that holds smaller mirrors in place. Large mirror with parecloses in wood and gilded stucco, Napoleon III period (19th century). A French mirror, yet it was Venetian craftsmen who first designed this style of mirror, which was frequently imported at the time, hence its name "Venetian" mirror. The term "parcloses" refers to the decorative intermediate frame (known as an enclosure) that holds smaller mirrors in place. galerie-atena /wp:image wp:paragraph The Venetian mirror is sought after by lovers of fine antique pieces, but also by discerning fans of vintage design. It's just as at home in a retro chic or baroque décor as it is with ultra-design furniture. Its sumptuousness and elegance make it a top-of-the-range decorative element. There are many modern and vintage pieces on the market. The Venetian mirror is sought after by lovers of beautiful antique pieces, but also by discerning fans of vintage design. It's just as at home in a retro chic or baroque décor as it is with ultra-design furniture. Its sumptuousness and elegance make it a top-of-the-range decorative element. There are many modern and vintage pieces on the market. /wp:paragraph wp:image {"align": "center", "id":12082, "sizeSlug": "large", "linkDestination": "custom"} Octagonal Venetian mirror with floral engraving, 1950s. Octagonal Venetian mirror with floral engraving, 50's. Octagonal Venetian mirror with floral design, 50's. /wp:image wp:image {"align": "center", "id":12083, "sizeSlug": "large"} Venetian mirror in Murano glass, 50's-60's. Baguettes and flowers with gold leaf inclusions. Mirrors engraved with flowers. Central bevelled mirror. Venetian mirror in Murano glass, 50s-60s. Rods and flowers with gold leaf inclusions. Mirrors engraved with flowers. Central bevelled mirror. proantic /wp:image wp:paragraph Venetian mirrors also come in a wide variety of shapes (round, oval, square, rectangular), with designs (bevelled, polished, engraved, chiselled) and frame ornamentation (floral motifs, carved and gilded wood, decorative engravings, imitation stones) that vary greatly from model to model. The cover can be silver, gold, bronze or brass. Venetian mirrors also come in a wide variety of shapes (round, oval, square, rectangular), with designs (bevelled, polished, engraved, chased) and frame ornamentation (floral motifs, carved and gilded wood, decorative engravings, imitation stones) that vary greatly from model to model. It can be silvered, gilded, bronzed or in brass. /wp:paragraph wp:image {"align": "center", "id":12084, "sizeSlug": "large", "linkDestination": "custom"} Large Venetian mirror with parecloses 20th century, 1960s Large Venetian mirror with parecloses 20th century, 1960s . /wp:image wp:image {"align": "center", "id":12085, "sizeSlug": "large", "linkDestination": "custom"} Same piece. You can find some very beautiful, richly decorated vintage pieces. Here, a bevelled piece with a magnificent pediment in perfect condition. The mirror is also beautifully decorated. Same piece. You can find some beautiful, richly decorated vintage pieces. Here, a bevelled piece with a magnificent pediment in perfect condition. The mirror is also beautifully decorated. Same piece. You can find some beautiful, richly decorated vintage pieces. Here, a bevelled piece with a magnificent pediment in perfect condition. The mirror is also beautifully decorated. /wp:image wp:image {"align": "center", "id":12086, "sizeSlug": "large"} Vintage sunburst mirror in carved wood gilded with gold leaf. Vintage sunburst mirror in carved wood gilded with gold leaf. selency /wp:image wp:image {"align": "center", "id":12087, "sizeSlug": "large"} Venetian mirror "Isadora" amber. Murano glass. Antique-style frame made using classic hand-engraved glass. A beautiful piece to brighten up any interior. Isadora" amber Venetian mirror. Murano glass. Antique-style frame created using classic hand-engraved glass. A beautiful piece to brighten up any interior. © venetian-mirrors /wp:image wp:image {"align": "center", "id":12088, "sizeSlug": "large", "linkDestination": "custom"} Less flashy, this vintage silver mirror from the late 1940s is discreetly elegant. Less flashy, this vintage silver mirror from the late 1940s is discreetly elegant. Less flashy, this silver vintage mirror from the late 1940s is discreetly elegant. /wp:image wp:paragraph Although it is no longer a central element of modern interior design, the major Italian furniture manufacturers are not neglecting it. At Kartell, the epitome of Made in Italy design, Philippe Starck Philippe Starck designed the modern Venetian mirror. At Cassina, the pieces are by Man Ray (yes, the artist!), Studio Simon and Ron Gilad. For Porro, Piero Lissoni has designed the Reflection Reflection collection of rectangular mirrors. /wp:paragraph wp:image {"align": "center", "id":12089, "sizeSlug": "large"} For Kartell, Philippe Starck has designed a series of rectangular mirrors reminiscent of bevelled crystal frames. Designed to be transparent or coloured transparent, they are inspired by the colours of Murano glass. For Kartell, Philippe Starck has designed a series of rectangular mirrors reminiscent of bevelled crystal frames. Designed to be transparent or coloured transparent, they are inspired by the colours of Murano glass. © kartell /wp:image wp:image {"align": "centre", "id":12090, "sizeSlug": "large"} Mirror created by Man Ray. Produced since 1971 as part of Simon's Ultramobile collection, and today as part of the Cassina SimonCollezione collection. Mirror designed by Man Ray. Produced since 1971 as part of Simon's Ultramobile collection, and today as part of the Cassina SimonCollezione collection. cassina /wp:image wp:image {"align": "center", "id":12091, "sizeSlug": "large"} Otero mirror, design : Studio Simon, 1980. Cassina SimonCollezione Collection. Otero mirror, design: Studio Simon, 1980. Cassina SimonCollezione Collection. Other lesser-known Italian manufacturers, but renowned for the quality of their products, place just as much emphasis on mirrors, if not more so. These include Cattelan Italia, Kristalia, Opinion Ciatti and Molteni C. © cassina /wp:image wp:paragraph {"align": "right"} François Boutard François Boutard /wp:paragraph

The Venetian Mirror: always chic, never has-been

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