Large Handsome Napoleon III French Giltwood Mirror w/ Sunflower Corners - 54" x 34¾"

A grand French giltwood mirror of the Napoleon III period, mid to late 19th century, with a rectilinear frame in carved wood and gesso richly finished in gold leaf. Sunflower heads in bold relief anchor the four corners,with delicate foliate trails along the rails, while a twisted rope molding defines the sight edge. The gilt surface shows a handsome patina with touches of wear, where the red clay underlayer appears, the plate is clear with only minor age speckling, and the mirror can be hung vertically or horizontally.

This piece brings scale and light to a room, working effortlessly above a mantel, anchored over a console in an entry, or set horizontally above a sideboard. Its clear plate makes it especially suitable as an elegant bathroom or dressing-room mirror, where the timeworn gilding adds warmth against stone, marble, or painted plaster. It pairs beautifully with crystal lighting, bronzes, and ebonized or walnut furniture, uniting traditional and contemporary schemes with quiet authority.

Condition and patina consistent with age.
Note: Mirrors have been photographed facing fabric, a technique that reveals any age spots in the glass. In some cases, this may create the appearance of an empty frame, but each mirror is complete except where explicitly stated.
Approx. overall 54" high x 34¾" wide x 3½" thick
Approx. overall 137cm high x 88cm wide x 9cm thick