The mirror is Empire, which can be confused with Biedermeier as they're both very neoclassic. Empire basically started under Napoleon, and influenced styles across Europe and the U.S. in the early 1800's. I was going to write up an article on the origins of Empire, but thought that this website did a nice job: Rupert Cavendish --check it out after you read my blog, of course!
Usually when you think (French) Empire, you think of furniture that can sometimes be over the top with all kinds of gilding and ormolu. Some examples I found on the internet that aren't too far over the top, and ones I like:
This mirror sold for $200 in 2010. The mirror itself was replaced, hence the bargain price. (where was I? Wow!) http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/7042509 |
This one is Italian. See how varied these are in origin? Don't you love everything in the picture! Sothebys.com |
Here's one at Christies.
Sold for $454 in 2007 Christies.com |
All of the ones above have gilt ormolu on them. It's a feature in my limited world that always makes me think French or Italian.
Christies had another one I really liked. The mirror was really plain, a square. I love the cherub wrestling with the lion.
Lion and Cherub! $1,593 in 2009. Christies.com OK, so again, they're really expensive. CHEAP compared to trumeau's though! You can get nice examples for $200-$600. |
Nick Brock at Ist Dibs has a mirror, fabulous. He attributes it to French Empire.
This fabulous beauty can be yours for $4,850. The swan is amazing! |
French Empire, circa 1815, $8,500 |
The
I did a search for Swedish mirrors at live auctioneers,and here is one that is quite lovely. Quite a bargain at $400. Notice the simple lines with the very ornate carving over the mirror.
Identified as a Swedish Empire on Live Auctioneers. Sold for $400 in May 2011. |
In a 2004 catalog, auction estimate $1,500-$2,000. |
The style is closer to mine, but it has side pillars more typical of the French Empire. This one was identified as Northern European.
Sold for $900 in 2005 on LiveAuctioneers |
The mirror below on LiveAuctioneers is very much like the top of mine. I really like this one!
Sold for $1700 in 2004. Prices seem to have softened alot since then, but really fabulous mirrors are still high. What else is new? |
A third one, but is much larger: http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/531658
Sold for $525 in 2004 |
The one below has a cornucopia and wheat on it. http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/9125778
Sold for a bargain price of $250 in 2011 |
(I have to giggle every time I see my reflection in a mirror for a web photo. I am reminded of the picture of a half dressed woman taking a picture of an item she's listing on ebay. It was scary!)
The wood carving is of pomegranate branches. The Romans thought the pomegranate signified marriage and fertility, and brides would wear pomegranate-twig wreaths.
Now that I have it home, I'm looking at it...and wondering... is the wood carving upsidedown?
However I do like the cleaner, plain lines that Empire often has. I was in St. Louis, and fell in love with a mirror at Clark Graves Antiques. I particularly liked this one:
I was only in St. Louis for a few days, and ran out of time. I missed this one. |
It was my first introduction to Biedermeier. The 3 mirrors above are Biedermeier. I'm not sure what the difference between Biedermeier and Empire are--other than the wood color is lighter on Biedermeier. The mirror I missed out on had oromolu, not carving. I thought I'd share them here if you are considering this style of mirror.
So what do you think? Is my carving upside down? Would you consider owning a piece of Empire? Which was your favorite mirror in the article? See my article on an Empire Dressing Table, to look at other empire pieces.
I'm obsessed with antique mirrors. I have a "collection" which I wrote about here, you might enjoy reading. In the mean time, I'll fuss with where my new mirror will go. OK, it's not empire, but I'm thinking over a Georgian chest. Oops, that's sitting in the garage. That was last weekend's antique fix!
UPDATE: We turned cartouche "right-side-up"!
I just love and covet all theses beautiful morrors that you have shown in this blog. They are so hard to find in my world, and so expensive. Thanks for stopping by to see my china. And especially thanks for the sweet comment. Richard from My Old Historic House.
ReplyDeleteI love your blog as I am also a great lover of Empire style furnishings. I would have to agree that these mirrors are also Swedish, Gustavian, or northern european in origin. A great book on the subject is 'Neoclassicism In The North' by Hakan Groth available through Amazon.
ReplyDeleteYou were right to invert your pomegranate sheaf. I would say that the eagle clutching the wreath on the LiveAuctioneers mirror is also upside down.
Thanks for lovely photos !