Empire Overmantel Mirror 19th Century

Name: Large Early 19th Century Empire Style Over Mantle Mirror
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1126275
Price: 1895 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Cataloguer’s Note

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing

ObjectOvermantel Mirrors
Period19th century
StyleFrench Empire
MaterialGiltwood, Gesso, Glass
ColourGold
MotifsAcanthus leaf moulding, floral relief, corner spandrels, beaded border

This large early 19th-century French Empire style overmantel mirror stands 157 cm high and 115.5 cm wide. The rectangular piece comprises a timber frame with a gilded gesso finish in gold, enclosing an original mirror plate and backed with original wooden boards. The decorative framework incorporates ornate floral relief work, corner spandrels, an acanthus leaf moulding, and a beaded border along the inner edge. Positioned above a mantel in a home today, the mirror reflects light and adds period character to a living room, dining room, or hallway. The proportions suit mounting above a fireplace or placing freestanding against a wall in a traditional interior setting.

FAQs

Originating during the First French Empire under Napoleon, Empire style overmantel mirrors incorporate Neoclassical elements, symmetrical moulding, and classical motifs such as acanthus leaves, laurel wreaths, and floral relief ornament.

These pieces were typically constructed from a carved timber core, layered with gesso plaster, and finished with gold leaf applied using water gilding or oil gilding techniques onto hand-blown or early plate glass.

Authentic period pieces feature hand-sawn wooden backboards, natural oxidisation or foxing on the glass silvering, slight cracking or age wear to the gesso, and genuine gold leaf burnishing.

Positioning a giltwood mirror directly above a fireplace mantlepiece creates a formal focal point, while pairing classical gilded frames with clean modern wall shades provides visual contrast.

Dust gently using a soft feather duster or dry microfibre cloth, keeping moisture away from water-gilded surfaces, and avoid using commercial chemical glass cleaners on original mirror plates.

Merchant House Antiques

Large Early 19th Century Empire Style Over Mantle Mirror

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