Antique French ebony dressing table mirror

Antique French ebony dressing table mirror
French, late 19th Century
Height 45cm, width 36cm, depth 4cm

This beautiful mirror will look wonderful placed on a woman’s dressing table. It features an ebony frame which is intricately carved with a variety of motifs, inspired by classical design.

The item is composed of an oval mirror, which is set within a shaped rectangular wooden frame. The frame is crowned by a medallion containing a portrait of a woman’s head in profile. This is decorated with a ribbon bow and flower swags which are held by two female figures, positioned either side of the medallion. The women have classical style nude upper bodies and leafy lower bodies which scroll to enclose flowers. The bottom corners of the frame feature similar carvings of stylised leafy and fruiting scrolled vines. A depiction of a cherub within a cartouche decorates the centre of the mirror’s lower section. The edge of the mirror is outlined by beading and the border of the frame is articulated by a continuous reed and ribbon carving.