Early 20th-Century Grand Rococo Revival Mirror - 54¾" x 32¼"

A grand French giltwood mirror of generous scale from the early 20th century, designed in the eighteenth-century Rococo taste. The arched frame is deeply carved with a bold shell cresting above asymmetrical C-scrolls, acanthus leaves, and flowerheads, all arranged in lively openwork. Small mirrored slips sparkle within the piercings and accentuate the scrolling edges. The sculpted surround displays a more recent painted gilded finish in places. The main mirror plate remains very clear.

Rococo design first flourished in France under Louis XV, favoring movement, asymmetry, and shell and leaf motifs that softened architectural lines. During the Belle Époque, French workshops revived these forms, carving lightweight wooden frames, building up detail in gesso, and finishing with gold leaf to catch candlelight. Pierced surrounds and mirrored accents were often employed to amplify shimmer and create depth.

This mirror brings drama and light to an entry above a console, or presence over a mantel in a sitting room. The crisp plate also suits a refined powder room or principal bath, where the gilded surround adds warmth against marble or tile. Pair it with simple walls and a pair of classic sconces to let the carving sing, or set it in a contemporary interior to introduce an elegant note of French tradition.