Henri II Revival Wall Mirror, c. 1880

With winged gryphon crest and period foxed glass

A richly ornamented French Renaissance Revival mirror of the late nineteenth century, conceived in the Henry II taste. The rectangular gilt frame is densely modelled with repeating foliate and geometric ornament and surmounted by an openwork crest centred by an oval cartouche flanked by opposing winged gryphons or dragons. The period mirror plate displays extensive atmospheric foxing and clouding, giving the surface considerable age and character. The reverse retains its old pine backboard with stencilled inventory and size markings, including 'No. 12 M 213', together with further numerals. The combination of elaborate cresting, deeply worked gilt ornament and aged glass gives the mirror a distinctly architectural and theatrical presence.

Mirrors of this type were made in France in the later nineteenth century in the revived taste of the court of Henri II (r. 1547‑1559), whose Renaissance ornament enjoyed a strong revival under the Second Empire and Third Republic.