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Antique French pareclose mirror around 1880 - Napoleon III. / Neo-baroque brass repoussé (94 × 60 cm)
€650Bid from €620
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About this seller
Private sellerMainz, GermanyOn Whoppah since May 2026 • 2 sales
Product description
A masterpiece of light for connoisseurs and antique lovers: A representative French ceremonial mirror circa 1880. Imagine the journey this imposing wall mirror has already taken. Created in France around 1880, it captivated attention in an era of elegance and social upheaval – and it still does more than 140 years later. With its impressive dimensions of 94 cm high, 60 cm wide, and 6 cm deep, it is far more than just a wall decoration: It is an architectural statement and a coveted collector's item. Iconography & Masterful Repoussé Work (Laiton repoussé et chiselé). Come closer and admire the masterful craftsmanship: Every delicate ornament of the warmly shimmering brass casing was painstakingly repoussed from the back and precisely chased from the front. The opulent design is an homage to the French Baroque in the Louis XIV style (Neo-Baroque / Napoleon III era): The fronton (the pediment): The magnificent upper section features an openwork rocaille crowning element with sculpted volutes, delicate shell motifs, and lush bunches of fruit and pomegranates – the classic Baroque symbols of prosperity, development, and fertility. Pattern & Frame Structure: The connecting strips impress with a geometric latticework (quadrillage) incorporating floral rosettes. The four projecting corner panels are decorated with sculpted floral and foliate motifs, lending the frame a captivating three-dimensionality. Traditional Assembly: A closer look at the edges reveals the honest, historical craftsmanship: The chased brass sheets were individually and permanently fixed to the dark wooden frame with tiny, hand-hammered pins and nails. Magical plays of light through double reflection (miroir à parecloses). The secret to its unparalleled depth lies in the craftsmanship of the classic miroir à parecloses (pareclose mirror): The central pane of glass features a wide, masterfully cut bevel (biseau) that refracts the incoming light. The center is framed by four narrow, also beveled, side mirrors (parecloses) positioned beneath the chased brass friezes. Even the crowning pediment is backed with mirrored glass. When daylight or candlelight falls upon the object, it refracts off the beveled edges and the chased details – a captivating interplay of shine, shadow, and reflections that instantly lends any room a stately atmosphere. An object for connoisseurs: Authentic patina and character. This piece is expressly aimed at enthusiasts, connoisseurs, and collectors of genuine antiques who appreciate the unadulterated charm of history and are not looking for sterile new goods: The mirror is in pristine, original historical condition. The brass displays a deep, dark patina with gentle wear on the raised areas – a testament to over a century of care and history. The original mirror glass exhibits the coveted, age-related oxidation marks and fine mercury/silver oxides (Foxy Mirror Effect). It is precisely these small traces of time that unequivocally attest to its absolute authenticity and age of approximately 140 years. The object at a glance: Type: Large mirror (brass repoussé mirror). Origin & Period: France, Historicism / Napoleon III (c. 1880–1900). Style: Neo-Baroque / Neo-Louis XIV. Technique: Hand-hammered and chased brass sheet, nailed to a softwood frame. Glass: Original beveled main glass, beveled pareclose glass, and gable mirror. Dimensions: 94 cm height × 60 cm width × 6 cm depth. Mounting: Sturdy, original wooden crossbar on the back for secure wall mounting.
Specifications
ConditionGoodColorsGoldMaterialOtherNumber of items1Height94 cmWidth60 cmDepth6 cmSigns of usageChipped, Crack, Dents, Discoloring, Holes, Rust, Scratches, Stains, Wrinkles, Pilling, Lack of Parts
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Seller information
About this seller
Private sellerMainz, GermanyOn Whoppah since May 2026 • 2 sales