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Napoleon III Style Wall Mirror In Burnished Brass "Repoussé" Workmanship

$1,119.05List Price

About the Item

We kindly suggest that you read the entire description, as with it we try to give you detailed technical and historical information to guarantee the authenticity of our objects. Elegant and refined Napoleonic-era frame with a central beveled mirror whose reflective surface was obtained by the ancient mercury technique; an equal number of mirrors were placed along each side of the frame. The entire surface of the frame was made by working the brass with the "repoussé" method (embossing= a technique for detecting predetermined drafts, figures, or designs on the surface of a sheet of metal using a special hammer on the back and alternating in the workmanship numerous and special punches, see photo.).The technique of embossing was known since ancient times and was used by the Assyrians, Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and later in the Middle Ages. After this operation, the frame was immersed in a bath of acid burnisher, then mirrors were applied while the frame was fixed on a back made of solid wood. All the elaborate decorations, meticulously handmade, are in the French Rococo style with flowers and rocailles. The working of mercury mirrors consisted of laying the metal on top of a series of layers of tin flattened on the glass, the mercury was then smoothed and polished with a special stone and buffered, the resulting mixture was called "quicksilver." This technique was perfected by Venetian Master Glassmakers (Maestro Dal Gallo 1507); the Serenissima placed the workmanship under secrecy, but in time it leaked out of the city and spread to European nations, first and foremost France: the Mirror Gallery in the Castle of Versailles is decorated with hundreds of mercury mirrors! Our frame was made between 1855 and 1860 on the outskirts of Paris. In the 1800s, Paris was renowned for its workshops specializing in mercury mirror work. The mercury mirror technique, also known as the "Venetian mirror" or "silvered mirror," was a widespread practice for the production of high-quality mirrors. Parisian workshops were known for their mastery in applying mercury to the back of the glass to create clear and sharp reflections. This technique required great skill and knowledge of the chemical processes involved. Among the most renowned laboratories of the time was the laboratory of Jean-Baptiste Boulard, founded in 1826. Another famous laboratory was that of Étienne-Gaspard Robert, known as "Robertson," who had founded a mercury mirror company in 1827. These workshops and many others like them in Paris attracted skilled craftsmen from different parts of Europe, creating a vibrant center for the production of mercury mirrors and related frames contributing to the development of the industry; our frame was born in this context. It is a highly decorative 'work that can be placed in any room of the house, in fact, the antique mirror has the ability to transform a room, giving character and creating interesting and engaging perspective illusions. The item is in good condition. The mirrors' imperfections, small stains, and their surface veiled patina attest to its antiquity and authenticity. Measures width cm.33, depth cm.5, height cm.59. For all our shipments we use special packaging materials (wooden crates, styrofoam, etc.) for maximum protection and safety of the objects.

Dimensions:
Height: 23.23 in (59 cm)Width: 13 in (33 cm)Depth: 1.97 in (5 cm)
Style:
Napoleon III (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Brass,Mirror,Hand-Crafted
Place of Origin:
France
Period:
Mid-19th Century
Date of Manufacture:
1855-1860
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. The item is in good condition. The mirrors' imperfections, small stains, and their surface veiled patina attest to its antiquity and authenticity.
Seller Location:
Prato, IT
Reference Number:
Seller: 130501stDibs: LU4632235292062

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