Large Venetian Swan Mirror, 19th Century Murano Glass, Beveled 133

Large Venetian Swan Mirror, Glass, Murano, 19th Century, Beveled, 133 X 80 cm. Large 19th Century Venetian Swan Mirror - Late 19th Century French Artisanal Mirror-Cabinetmaker - Rectangular mirror with richly carved decoration and beveled mirror ornamentation. The openwork carved wood and stucco pediment is adorned with two facing winged swans framing a central cartouche with lavish Baroque decoration. The wings and highlights reveal traces of old gilding, creating beautiful contrasts of material and light. The frame features carved acanthus leaves at the four corners, highlighted by an elegant beaded frieze running around the edge. Four small rectangular beveled mirrors punctuate the composition, each adorned with floral and foliage motifs hand-engraved in the glass, typical of late 19th-century Venetian craftsmanship. The large central mirror, also beveled, retains its original chemically silvered (not mercury-plated) glass, showing some subtle pitting and black traces of oxidation, which add to the charm and authenticity of the whole. Formerly gilded with gold leaf and then re-patinated in white and gray. Inspection stamp on the back: P.B. 1896. Pencil annotations visible on the back of the frame suggest it may have been auctioned at some point during its history. Venetian style: a profusion of decorations engraved in the glass (flowers, foliage, arabesques), beveled glass frames, and applique ornaments. Venetian mirrors were prestigious objects from the 17th century onward, reserved for aristocrats and wealthy merchants. They served both as functional and decorative objects, intended to reflect the light from chandeliers in salons. Measurements: • Height: 133 cm. • Width: 80 cm. • Frame height, excluding pediment: 116 cm. • Weight: 18.5 kg.