Grand Napoléon III Giltwood Mirror w/ Parcloses & Beveled Mercury Glass - 48½" x 37½"

This grand 19th-century French mirror from the Napoléon III period is a sculptural and luminous architectural piece, crowned with an exuberant crest of acanthus leaves, florals, and a central shell motif. Its richly carved giltwood frame is boldly contoured and deeply detailed, offering both ornament and presence. A hallmark of this mirror is its distinctive parclose construction in stepped relief: the central mercury-glass pane is projected forward in slight relief, framed by recessed parcloses on all sides. Each individual panel is beveled, catching and refracting light with subtle brilliance. The original mercury silvering lends a softly speckled glow, with only light foxing, mainly along the lower parclose, attesting to its age without diminishing its clarity or charm.

Impressive in scale and elegant in detail, this mirror is ideal above a mantel, console, or in a grand entryway. Its depth, radiance, and classical form make it a commanding presence in both period and contemporary interiors.