French Gilt Gesso Mirror 19th Century

Name: A Very Large Antique French 19c Gilt Gesso Wall Hanging Mirror
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA969466
Price: 425 GBP
Availability: InStock

FURTHER BROWSING

Visitors also looked at these ⇣

French 19th Century Gilt Mirror

£300

Good 19th Century French Gilt Oval Mirror

£575

Antique French Gilt Rectangular Mirror

£240

Gilt Mirror

£265

19th Century Gilt Framed Mirror

£465

Quality French Giltwood & Gesso Oval Wall Mirror

£575

19th C Gilt Wood Mirror

£425

Edwardian Mirror

£485

Lovely Victorian Oval Gilt Mirror

£595

Nineteenth Century Continental Gilt Mirror

£460

19thc Giltwood and Gesso Wall Mirror

£480

19th Century French Rococo Gilt Wall Mirror, Gesso & Glass 107x87

£595

Strictly Vetted Dealers

Secure Transit

Sustainable Choice

Frequently Asked Questions

Strictly Vetted Dealers

Every single antique dealer on our platform is individually approved by our internal team. We verify their professional trade history, ethical standards, and photographic quality to ensure a secure, high-standard buying environment. Upon joining, every dealer agrees to a strict 9-point code of conduct. While issues can occasionally arise, our dealers typically resolve them swiftly and directly with the buyer. In fact, since our founding in 2002, Sellingantiques has only had to step in to help resolve an issue on roughly five occasions—a true testament to the quality of our dealers and their dedication to your happiness.

Secure Transit

Our dealers are highly experienced in packing and shipping fragile, high-value antiques. Because you are in direct contact with the dealer, you will be able to easily go through all available shipping and insurance options together to ensure your item arrives safely.

The Sustainable Choice

Antiques are the ultimate green purchase. By choosing historical pieces over newly manufactured goods, you completely eliminate the carbon footprint of modern mass production while preserving exceptional, timeless craftsmanship.

FAQs

These mirrors feature a wooden frame coated with gessoa smooth mixture of plaster and gluebefore being finished with leafing. Popular during the 19th century, particularly in the Louis Philippe style, they were designed with rounded upper corners and moulded borders to suit period interiors.

Craftspeople carved a solid wooden base and applied layers of gesso plaster to create rounded contours and detailed relief mouldings. The surface was then overlayed with thin sheets of genuine gold leaf, which frequently revealed reddish clay bole underneath as it aged.

Authentic pieces typically exhibit natural wear showing the red or grey bole ground beneath worn gilding, along with fine cracking in the gesso plaster known as craquelure. Period mirrors also feature original hand-cut wooden backing boards and glass showing subtle oxidation or mercury silvering spots.

Position the mirror above a sideboard or fireplace mantelpiece to create a focal point that reflects natural light across the room. Blending the texture of aged gilding with minimalist contemporary furniture provides a balanced aesthetic.

Avoid using water, liquid chemical cleaners, or damp cloths on gilt gesso, as moisture can dissolve the underlying plaster glue and cause detachment. Dust the frame gently with a dry, soft brush, and clean the glass carefully with a slightly dampened cloth while protecting the gilded edge.

Village Vintage

A Very Large Antique French 19c Gilt Gesso Wall Hanging Mirror