Large antique French Napoleon III era "sorcerer's" or "witch's eye" wall mirror or rondel, gilt gesso on wood frame with original deeply convex mirror. Sometimes called a sorcerer's mirror, it allows a fish-eye or broad but distorted view of an entire room, or around corners, stairways. This one just in from France and as lovely as can be! The frame beautiful, just over 18" in diameter and 2" deep with ball festooned accenting, twisted ribbon inner and what appears to be the original moire silk backing. The mirror itself original and, as you can see, it does have some 'specking' loss to the silvering but that really just adds to the charm in my opinion. These date aback to the mid 1500s, one can be seen in the "Arnolfini Wedding Portrait" painting by Jan Van Eyck. If you look closely, you can see Van Eyck's self-portrait within the mirror (shown in the final images above). A wonderful piece here, don't miss it.
Very good condition. As noted, it does have extensive silvering spot loss to the mirror itself but the frame is in wonderful shape with some age darkened patina to the gilt finish, a few small nips but no larger chips or damage. See pictures for all measurements.
