Louis XVI Mirrors – Swedish Furniture

This pretty mirror is listed by Junkteer On Ebay

Period 18th Century Danish or Swedish Mid-18th Century Pier Mirror

A small Swedish Gustavian giltwood mirror, Late 18th Century

Swedish mirrors have undergone a number of styles since they were introduced in the country in the 1600s.

German glass makers helped to lead the way, and they created mirrors in the baroque style of their home country. This included carved frames and a single pane of glass. Carvings could be simple or ornate, and frames could be square or rectangle, as seen in this mirror From Cupboards and Roses

Mirrors could also be made more ornate by hanging a curtain over them. This added a bit of flair and formality to the mirror.

A century or so later, more people began acquiring mirrors and the style switched to that of Swedish Rococo. This style featured carvings of shells or arabesques, and the frames were gilded and asymmetrical.

Shortly thereafter, another style evolved. The Gustavian style saw mirrors that were influenced by neoclassical aesthetics. Frames were richly carved and featured intricate leaves, ribbons and crests.

These neoclassical mirrors feature a pair of sphinxes on each mirror on either side of a fruit-bearing
pedestal.

By the early 19th century, the aesthetic was changing again. Roman and Egyptian influences made themselves known, and mirrors featured carvings of things such as lions, sphinxes, and griffins. The frames also took on a distinctive shape, with semi-circular domes at the top and straight edges along the bottom.

This Swedish pier mirror, shows neoclassical details inspired by Napoleon’s Egyptian campaign.

By the middle of the century, mirrors became much more common in everyday households, and production methods became more base. Decoupaged frames became common, or they were veneered.

The style evolution of Swedish antique furniture mirrors was influenced by a number of factors, and it produced some gorgeous mirrors that make excellent collector’s items now.

What is your favorite style of Swedish antique furniture mirror? Share your thoughts or your finds in the comments!

About the Author:

Alexis Bonari writes for one of the largest open databases of college funding opportunities. Specific topics like scholarships for cosmetology school are described in detail to provide multiple resources for students.