Octagonal Faceted Mirror with Brass Garlands — French Work, Glass

This beautiful octagonal mirror combines two of the most refined decorative styles from the French tradition of the 1960s and 1970s: the work of faceted mirrors and ornamental cast brass. The central glass—clear, silvered, and generously sized at 58.5 centimetres wide and 86 centimetres high—is set within a frame made up of bands of individually cut small faceted mirrors that capture light from all angles, producing the characteristic shimmering effect of this refined artisanal technique. The corners of the composition are highlighted by cast brass garland mouldings, each forming a miniature bas-relief of stylised leafy and floral motifs of beautiful craftsmanship. These brass accents, positioned at the eight corners of the frame, serve both a structural and purely decorative role, reinforcing the joints of the faceted border while adding a warm, golden note in contrast to the cool silver of the mirrored surfaces. The result is a piece that elegantly oscillates between the palatial grandeur of the baroque tradition and the refined decorative sensibility of mid-century French design. French decorative mirrors of this type drew their inspiration from the long heritage of Venetian and French mirror-making, where complex compositions combining glass, gilding, and precious metals have been a staple of aristocratic interiors since the 17th century. The revival of this aesthetic in the 1970s produced works of remarkable quality, and this example—with its well-preserved faceted border, sharp brass details, and flawless glass—stands out as a particularly accomplished specimen of the genre. Equally at home in a grand living room, a vestibule, or a refined powder room, this mirror creates an immediate impression of brightness and elegance. Its scale...