Distressed French faux bois mirror

A simply stunning French faux wood mirror with heavily foxed mercury plate C.1860-1870.

It’s a very good quality example, the frame is made from pine with a layer of sculpted gesso, made to resemble a natural wood grain. The beautiful original hand painted finish is untouched, as is the mercury plate which is heavily distressed and now resembles more a framed piece of art than a mirror. The frame itself is in excellent condition, the plate is of course very foxed and not one for the purists. It has been lightly cleaned & coated in clear lacquer so is now stable and will not deteriorate further. A truly unique and enchanting mirror.

Rustic Faux bois (wood) effect furniture became popular around 1860-1870 when rich victorians liked to pretend to live in cottages, which were actually large villas. Frames and cast iron garden furniture of this period were often made to look like logs.

Measurements
76cm height
64cm width
5cm depth