Ormolu mounted Limoges enamel table mirror with painted plaque

This delicate and highly ornate piece is an enamel and ormolu-mounted table mirror, dating to the mid-nineteenth century, and made in Limoges, France, a historic production centre of enamel. It combines a beautiful antique mirror with a finely painted enamel plaque to the reverse.

Consisting of a swivel mirror with bevelled glass and a griffin pediment, it is cast in gilt-bronze or ormolu, and bears an enamel plaque to the reverse which depicts a seated, pale young lady in a rich ultramarine dress, against a marble column and colonnade in front of dark and atmospheric mountainous backdrop. This image of a romantic beauty complements the mirror's aesthetic function, and allows it to turn into an elegant decorative arts piece when not in use. The mirror is set on a tapering base with enamel-topped flower baskets and splayed feet.

Limoges, a city and commune in central western France, was founded as a Roman city in 10BC and became known throughout the Christian world during the middle ages from circa 12th century onwards for the quality of its enamel and ceramic production. It was a hugely important cultural centre in two periods, one, c.12th century to 1370, the second, during the French Renaissance.

Champlevé enamel was a speciality of the region and the largest pieces were religious reliquaries or works with large narrative scenes in the Mannerist style. It enjoyed another important and prolific period of production in the mid-19th century, from which this very fine piece dates. 

Mirror & plaque: height 13.5cm, width 10cm, depth 0.5cm
Frame: 23cm, width 18cm, depth 12cm