PSIQUÉ DRESSING MIRROR. MAHOGANY, BRONZE. 19TH CENTURY.

Testing mirror. Mahogany wood, gilded bronze, marble. XIX century.
Full-length rectangular mirror of the type known as “psyché” (or derived from the same) that has a marble base and two circular tables on the sides, these with a white marble top, a vase base with disc moldings and, on the upper part, imitations of textiles with tassels. The mirror has a golden band separating it from the wood, and has been flanked with two shaft columns decorated in a spiral with plant motifs and classic capitals; the upper part has been enhanced with a molding and a figurative composition of a winged lady on a chariot holding a torch, accompanied by child figures and a Cornucopia; The lower part has been enhanced with a symmetrical composition based on plant motifs.
Stylistically, you can clearly see the Neoclassical influence of the decorative elements and the composition of the furniture, highlighting the figure inspired by classical mythology at the top (it is possible that it is the goddess Aurora or Eos, or Diana-Artemis, Selene, etc.). A close relationship can be found with examples from the French Empire period, both due to that decoration and the lines of the piece. Note, however, that these full-length mirrors were very common in European palaces, but it is not so common for them to be presented with two tables to support elements of clothing or candelabras, a detail that enhances the present example. The fashion for the full-length mirror was introduced in Spain in the reign of Ferdinand VII. From the psyche swing mirrors of the early 19th century, they later moved on to full-length fixed ones, adding supports (normally for luminaires).
Compare it with outstanding mirrors such as those preserved in the Museum of Romanticism in Madrid, in the Royal Palace of the same city, or the one preserved in the Cerralbo Museum (inventory VH 0556) from between 1834 and 1866 that has two round auxiliary tables."


· Size: 172x65x292 cms