Serpentine Vanity Glass

Lovely chevalier vanity mirror with serpentine details.

This beautiful looking glass features water gilding. This expert craftsmanship involves many stages and produces the most stunning results, with the most longevity. 

Because the process of water gilding was longer and more laborious than that of oil gilding, the craft was usually reserved for expensive objects which could be admired at close quarters. 

The gilding on this mirror, with its tilting function and single drawer base, draws attention to the stunning hand-carved detailing. As well as the snakeheads on either side of the glass, the base exhibits a face within the foliate decoration. 

Some of the bole - red clay- from an earlier stage of the gilding process is visible in parts, adding to the overall attraction of this piece. 

This mirror would look wonderful on a dressing table and is a very special piece to own.