Wide, golden, and gloriously over the top, this carved wall mirror is the kind of piece that turns a blank wall into a focal point. A small looking glass sits at the heart of it, framed by a sweep of gilded scrolls, curling acanthus leaves, and a proud shell crest at the very top. It measures about twenty six inches across, just right to crown a doorway, a mantel, or a console table.
The carving is all flourish and movement. C-scrolls unfurl toward each leaf-tipped end, the surface catches the light in warm antique gold, and the whole design borrows from the grand Baroque and Rococo styles that have decorated elegant homes for centuries. It is decorative first and practical second, less a mirror you check your hair in and more a small work of art that happens to reflect.
We will be honest, this one keeps its secrets. We were not able to turn up much about its maker or exact age, but its character speaks for itself. The gilding has a lovely lived-in glow, with soft highs and shadows across the carving that only time can give. Sometimes the best pieces are the ones that simply ask to be admired.
Picture it above a guest bed, over a fireplace, or anchoring a gallery wall among framed prints and sconces. Its horizontal shape fills space that a tall mirror cannot, and the golden finish pairs beautifully with creamy walls, dark wood, or a bit of velvet. Hang it where the light can find it and watch the whole corner come alive.
Come see this golden beauty in person at Pollyanna’s Antiques in downtown Mt. Clemens. We are open Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 10 to 4, and a piece like this rarely waits around for long.