Mirror with birds France, Rhone Valley, 18th century... Lot 10

Mirror with birds France, Rhone Valley, 18th century Gilded wood; mercury (borders) and silver (center) mirrors Gilded frame; mirrors replaced in the center H. 162 x W. 92 cm Provenance Collection Mme P. This large gilded wood overmantel has kept its period mercury mirrors on the edge. The compartmentalized frame with richly molded and foliated volutes is topped by a flowery hat decorated at its base with two curious birds. These birds with large pointed ears evoke the hybrid and undulating dragons that populate Toro's ornamental repertoires (fig. 1).