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ID #SA1237589
FOR SALE
£590
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Antique French Gilt and Bare Gesso Napoléon III Mirror - Mercury Glass
For sale by French Antique Company
for sale €690     $749
£590
French Antique Company

French Antique Company

Sellingantiques Verified Since Oct 2019
Browse dealers 14 items
  • About Us
    Specialising in french antique mirrors and chandeliers.
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Id #SA1237589
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Antique French Gilt and Bare Gesso Napoléon III Mirror - Mercury Glass

19th century
Description

Dimensions:W: 67cm (26.4")H: 122cm (48")

Beautiful early 19th century French gilt mirror in excellent condition.

It dates from the very early 1800s and has its original mercury glass. Mercury glass was not made after 1840 and gives an incomparable sparkle in sunlight.

It has its lovely real gilt (gold leaf) and bare gesso frame with stunning floral detail and no chips. The gilt and bare gesso combination gives a softer, more understated look to an entirely gilt mirror.

It has all its original backboards and a wire ready to be hung portrait, although it would also look fantastic hung landscape.

Perfect used as a dressing room mirror or if you are looking for an overmantel but do not have much height it could be an excellent option hung landscape.

Physical Dimensions
Height
122cm (48.03")
Width
67cm (26.38")
Declaration

French Antique Company has dated this French Napoleon III Mirror to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1237589
Dealers Internal Reference
11248
Dealers Notes

Delivery £65 to most of mainland UK using a trusted, specialist antiques courier.

Description
Dimensions:W: 67cm (26.4")H: 122cm (48")

Beautiful early 19th century French gilt mirror in excellent condition.

It dates from the very early 1800s and has its original mercury glass. Mercury glass was not made after 1840 and gives an incomparable sparkle in sunlight.

“
It has its lovely real gilt (gold leaf) and bare gesso frame with stunning floral detail and no chips.
French Antique Company

The gilt and bare gesso combination gives a softer, more understated look to an entirely gilt mirror.

fig 1. A tall rectangular nineteenth-century French Napoleon III mirror with a gilded and bare gesso frame featuring floral corner mouldings and a mercury glass plate.
fig 1. Antique French Gilt and Bare Gesso Napoléon III Mirror - Mercury Glass

It has all its original backboards and a wire ready to be hung portrait, although it would also look fantastic hung landscape.

Perfect used as a dressing room mirror or if you are looking for an overmantel but do not have much height it could be an excellent option hung landscape.

Height
122cm (48.03")
Width
67cm (26.38")
Date of Manufacture

French Antique Company has dated this French Napoleon III Mirror to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1237589
Dealers Internal Ref
11248
French Antique Company
French Antique Company
Sellingantiques verified Since Oct 2019

Specialising in french antique mirrors and chandeliers.

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the French Antique Company Profile Page

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A tall rectangular nineteenth-century French Napoleon III mirror with a gilded and bare gesso frame featuring floral corner mouldings and a mercury glass plate.
1 / 10
Archive I A tall rectangular nineteenth-century French Napoleon III mirror with a gilded and bare gesso frame featuring floral corner mouldings and a mercury glass plate.

Antique French Gilt and Bare Gesso Napoléon III Mirror - Mercury Glass

Archive II A tall rectangular nineteenth-century French Napoleon III mirror with a gilded and bare gesso frame featuring floral corner mouldings and a mercury glass plate. View II
Archive III A tall rectangular nineteenth-century French Napoleon III mirror with a gilded and bare gesso frame featuring floral corner mouldings and a mercury glass plate. View III
Archive IV A tall rectangular nineteenth-century French Napoleon III mirror with a gilded and bare gesso frame featuring floral corner mouldings and a mercury glass plate. View IV
Archive V A tall rectangular nineteenth-century French Napoleon III mirror with a gilded and bare gesso frame featuring floral corner mouldings and a mercury glass plate. View V
Archive VI A tall rectangular nineteenth-century French Napoleon III mirror with a gilded and bare gesso frame featuring floral corner mouldings and a mercury glass plate. View VI
Archive VII A tall rectangular nineteenth-century French Napoleon III mirror with a gilded and bare gesso frame featuring floral corner mouldings and a mercury glass plate. View VII
Archive VIII A tall rectangular nineteenth-century French Napoleon III mirror with a gilded and bare gesso frame featuring floral corner mouldings and a mercury glass plate. View VIII
Archive IX A tall rectangular nineteenth-century French Napoleon III mirror with a gilded and bare gesso frame featuring floral corner mouldings and a mercury glass plate. View IX
Archive X A tall rectangular nineteenth-century French Napoleon III mirror with a gilded and bare gesso frame featuring floral corner mouldings and a mercury glass plate. View X
Enlarged Archival View
Telephone 07899 864960
Location
Hove
East Sussex
United Kingdom

By appointment only.
Verified Since Oct 2019
Items For Sale 14
Items Sold 687
French Antique Company
French Antique Company
Verified Since Oct 2019
View Dealer Info
Location: Hove, East Sussex, United Kingdom, , By appointment only.
Verified
Oct 2019
For Sale
14
Sold
687
A tall rectangular nineteenth-century French Napoleon III mirror with a gilded and bare gesso frame featuring floral corner mouldings and a mercury glass plate.
Antique French gilt and bare gesso Napoléon III mirror - mercury glass
Ref: SA1237589
A tall rectangular nineteenth-century French Napoleon III mirror with a gilded and bare gesso frame featuring floral corner mouldings and a mercury glass plate.
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Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectMirrors
  • Period19th century
  • StyleNapoleon III
  • MaterialWood, Gesso, Gold Leaf, Glass
  • ColourGold
  • MotifsFloral corner mouldings, Beaded inner border, Exposed gesso substrate
  • SizeH 122 cm (48 in) x W 67 cm (26 in)

Originating during the Second French Empire between 1852 and 1870, Napoleon III mirrors feature structured mouldings, ornate gesso decorations, gilded wood finishes, and often rectangular profiles with detailed corner embellishments.

Frames from this era were constructed using a softwood or oak substrate covered in gesso, finished with hand-applied gold leaf gilding, and fitted with mercury-backed glass plates.

Authentic mercury glass displays a characteristic dark or sparkling patination, subtle silvering loss around the edges, and an uneven reflective quality distinct from modern aluminium-backed mirrors.

Position the frame above a fireplace mantelpiece, console table, or side cabinet to reflect ambient light and create a historical focal point alongside contemporary furnishings.

Dust the frame regularly using a soft, dry camel-hair brush or microfibre cloth, keeping moisture, liquid cleaners, and chemical solvents away from delicate gilding and bare gesso.
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