Vintage Pair of Mirror Wall Sconces with MasksPatinated Metal Beaded Frames and Palmette Crests, Bevelled Mirrors, Two Lights Each, 41 cm

For three centuries, European mirrors were backed with a mixture of tin and mercury. A sheet of tin foil was flooded with mercury, the glass laid on top, and the whole thing left under weights for weeks while the excess drained away. In 1835 the German chemist Justus von Liebig developed a way to coat glass with pure silver, which was safer and quicker, and it gradually replaced the old process. Old mirror glass of either kind ages in a recognisable way: soft clouding, grey spots and a gentle, smoky depth.

This pair of mirror sconces shows that softly aged glass. Each has a rectangular bevelled mirror framed by a raised, beaded border and a band of densely modelled flowers and leaves. Above, a pierced crest rises to a palmette, a fan of leaves borrowed from classical ornament, flanked by scrolls. Below the mirror sits a modelled mask with full cheeks and curling hair. From behind it, two leaf-wrapped arms curve out and up to hold embossed drip pans and candle cups. The metal has a deep, warm patina, with a few traces of green verdigris.

The two sconces have aged differently. The left mirror is lightly clouded, while the right shows heavier spotting and loss of silvering towards one edge. The right sconce is also missing one of its candle cups, as pictured. Like every lamp we sell, they are checked in our workshop before they are sent, so they arrive ready to use. Hung either side of a fireplace or a doorway, their mirrors will soften and multiply the light.

In short, this is a vintage pair of mirror wall sconces in patinated metal, with masks, beaded frames, palmette crests, bevelled mirrors and two lights each. Each is 41 cm tall, and they are exactly as pictured.

DETAILS

Size: Height 41 cm (16.1 in); width 15.5 cm (6.1 in) each. Each is a little longer than a 12-inch ruler.
Material: Patinated metal; bevelled mirror glass
Style-Period: Napoléon III style; vintage
Shipping: Professionally packed, fully insured, worldwide. We handle the paperwork, with all import duties paid by us; nothing to settle on delivery.
Electrical: Fully rewired or checked through our workshop before dispatch, with a plug or adapter fitted for your country; delivered working and ready to use. Two lights each, four in total (one candle cup currently missing, see Condition).
Condition: Patina with traces of verdigris; left mirror lightly clouded; right mirror with heavier spotting and some loss of silvering at one edge; one candle cup missing from the right sconce.
Lampshade: Sold without shades — leaving you free to choose ones that suit your room; small clip-on shades suit them.
Returns: Accepted within 30 days.

Read our condition standard. Please ask if you need additional photographs or measurements.

A decorative style is not a guarantee of a particular maker or date. See the individual listing for the stated attribution and period.

Worldwide delivery is included in the price. Every piece is individually packed, tracked and fully insured. No shipping charge is added at checkout. If your destination is not listed, please contact us before ordering.

Maison Jaspers pays US tariffs and import duties. For other destinations, local import taxes and duties may apply and are payable by the recipient. Contact us before ordering if you need destination-specific guidance.

Dispatch timing is shown above. Transit time depends on your destination.

Delivery information

Notify us within 30 days of delivery if you wish to return a piece. No reason is required. You pay return shipping for a change-of-mind return.

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