Empire Period Mahogany And Elm Burl Veneer Psyche Mirror, 19th Century

Empire period Psyché or horse-mirror in elm burl veneering, Napoleon I period, early 19th century.

This large psyche mirror features a tilting beveled mirror topped by a gilded bronze tassel. The mirror frame is finely worked with four gilded wood stars at the corners, while a gilded wood frieze enhances the mirror's contour.

The uprights are composed of two detached ebonized columns, and the lock where the pivot is located is in elm burr veneer decorated with gilded bronze garlands.

Below the mirror is a tier of three drawers framed by gilded bronze palmettes, all resting on two arched feet with sabots adorned with mythological fish carved in blackened and gilded wood.

This magnificent, unique and highly decorative Empire Period mirror is ideal if you wish to decorate a spacious entrance hall, bedroom or simply enhance your interior with a piece of character.

In English, the name cheval mirror betrays the French origin of the object as cheval means horse. It is used here for the frame mounted on four legs reminding the animal (as in chevalet).