Compact Late 19th-Century Cushion Mirror - 21¼" x 18"

A small rectangular cushion-framed wall mirror in raw carved timber from the late 19th century. The surround has a deeply stepped profile with alternating S-curves and concave runs, all neatly mitered at the corners to form a strong, architectural shape. Its surface shows a warm chestnut to dark walnut stain with rubbed highlights and an old wax finish that softens the edges. The mirror plate and backboard are later replacements.

This restrained profile follows the 17th-century cushion-frame tradition favored in France and the Netherlands during the Louis XIII and Dutch Baroque periods, when deeply modeled surrounds created dramatic shadow lines around portraits and mirrors. Such strongly projecting frames were also sometimes used to conceal Protestant bibles, discreetly hidden behind the mirror plate. In the 19th century, revival makers returned to these earlier designs, favoring dark woods and restrained finishes to create a sober, masculine character. This example embodies that aesthetic, balancing sculptural depth with everyday utility.

Well suited to an entry, dressing area, or gentleman’s bath, it brings quiet gravitas without visual clutter. Hang it above a pedestal sink or narrow console for a crisp, architectural accent; pair it with patinated brass fittings for harmony; or use it in a library wall where its dark timber and stepped moldings lend depth among books and framed works. Its compact scale makes it easy to layer with other pieces, while the renewed glass ensures everyday functionality.