Design for an octagonal hand mirror

After Etienne Delaune French

Not on view

Engraving with an ornamental design for a square-shaped hand mirror, part of a set of six designs for mirrors of the same type, likely created after designs by Étienne Delaune. On either side of the frame is a pair of scrolls, the upper one holding a draped fabric, and the lower a sitting, winged putto. The lower scrolls enclose bundles of fruits and leaves with their C-shape, and are flanked by two grotesques, one pearl hanging from each. The upper part of the frame is flanked by a small palmette, flanked to the sides by two scrolls. Diagonally-below them, on the lower side of the frame, are two small dogs, to the sides of the handle of the mirror. The lower part is flanked by a woman, her head crowned by a shell motif, and her torso dressed with a cuirasse made up of strapwork, her lower body made up of acanthus leaves and scrolling motifs, making makes up the handle of the mirror, and holding the mirror frame in the manner of Atlanta. The lower part of the handle is flanked by a small ring, which would have been used to decorate the design with tassels or ribbons, or maybe even to hang the object from walls. This type of design for mirrors was very popular during the 16th century in france and Europe. They were often produced in silver and, in exceptional cases, in gold, with the use of gems, semi-precious stones, or colored glass to add color to the designs.

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