Grand 17th Century Languedoc Mirror W/ Fruitwood Marquetry and Original Mercury Plate - 43" x 33½"

This impressive late 17th-century mirror features a bold cushion-molded inner border in ebonized wood, set within a wide walnut ground richly inlaid with fruitwood marquetry. Scrolling acanthus, flowering urns, and small birds enliven the rails and corners, the warm honey tones of the inlay contrasting beautifully with the deep black molding. The original mercury-silvered plate displays the soft, atmospheric mottling and beautiful foxing so prized today, though it is more suited to decorative display than to functional use in settings where clarity is required. The marquetry shows a few careful restorations, and the edges display light wear consistent with age.

Cushion-framed mirrors of this type belong to the French Baroque vocabulary under Louis XIV, blending Italian intarsia traditions with Dutch floral models that celebrated nature in bouquets and avian motifs. Southern Languedoc workshops were known for walnut frames decorated with fruitwood marquetry, combining sober blackened profiles with lively foliate designs.

This mirror brings gravitas and warmth to an interior. Hung above a stone mantel or console, it captures and diffuses light, the timeworn plate lending a gentle historic glow. It pairs naturally with Louis XIII and Louis XIV seating, a Spanish Baroque table, or even clean-lined contemporary pieces. In a library, dining room, or entryway, its richly figured marquetry provides a refined focal point that anchors and enriches a layered decorative scheme.