The History of Mirrors

History of Classical Mirrors

 

The history of mirrors starts in the III Century B.C. Most ancient Traditional Mirrors were made from metal and had a round shape. The back side of the ancient mirrors were beautifully embellished with ornamentation. Mirrors were made from highly polished bronze and silver. The first glass mirrors were invented in the first Century by Romans.

From ancient times special qualities had been given to mirrors, that no other object had. The Greek philosopher Socrates gave advice to young men to look at themselves in the mirror, and those who were handsome should focus their life on keeping their souls clean and stay away from the temptations of life that could take them on the wrong path. If a young man would find that he is not handsome, he should compensate for his look from his heart, and get known for doing a lot of good things.

In Medieval period glass mirrors completely disappeared, because during those times religious confessions stated that devil is looking and watching the world from the opposite side of a glass mirrors. Poor fashionable ladies had to use a polished metal mirrors or special water bowls instead of glass mirrors.

Glass mirrors came back only in 13th century. This time they were bended slightly outward. The method of attaching tin to the flat surface of the glass wasn't invented yet. Using available technology master glaziers poured hot tin into glass tubs, and then, after the tin was cold, they would brake it into separate pieces. Only three centuries later Venetian mirror masters invented a "flat mirror technique". They figured out how to attach tin to a flat glass surface. Venetian masters invented another trick. They created a special reflective mixture in which gold and bronze was added. Because of this mixture all objects reflecting in the mirrors looked much more beautiful than in reality. The cost of one Venetian mirror then was comparable to the cost of the large naval ship.

In a city of Nuremberg (Germany) the first mirror manufacturing plant was opened. Mirrors were then aggressively integrated in every aspect of life. In the 1600's mirrors become a part of mysterious rituals and witchcraft. Also, for 200 years mirrors were used by Spanish and French spies for coding and decoding secret messages. This secret coding system was introduced in 15th century by Leonardo da Vinci. The scriptures were coded in "mirror reflection" and without the mirror it was impossible to read the message. Mirrors were part of another big invention of the time - the periscope. The opportunity to discreetly spy on ones enemy by using a system of interactive mirrors saved a lot of lives during wars. During the famous Thirty Year war, mirrors were used by all sides to blind the enemy during military actions with bright reflection of sun light. It was very hard to take aim when your eyes are blinded by thousands of tiny mirrors.

Starting with 12th century no respectful lady left her house without a small mirror. Handheld mirrors and pears mirrors became a must have items for every woman. Ladies wore gold embellished mirrors on a chain around their neck or waist, inserted mirrors in to the fens. Mirrors were treated just like precious jewellery, and were incased in specially crafted exotic materials like turtle shell or elephant bone frames. Some of the mirror frames were made from gold or silver with an elegant miniature engravings.

In the 15th century the Venetian Furniture Island of Murano become the center of glass making and was known as the "Isle of Glass". They officially created the Council of Ten with a special mission of vigorously protecting the secrets of there glass making techniques. Masters glassmakers were secretly transported to the island of Murano undercover as a firefighters. The "Council of Ten" generously supported glassmakers and at the same time kept them isolated from the rest of the world. The profits from the mirror making monopoly were too large to take any risks. European monarchs at whatever it cost tried to find out the Venetian Mirror glassmaking secrets. They accomplish this goal in 17th century, when Colbert (the minister of Ludwig XIV) bribed with gold three Murano masters and transported them in to France.

The French happened to be good students, and very quickly they not only mastered Murano glass making techniques, but invented they're own. While mirror making techniques used by Venetian masters was based on a glassblowing, French masters started manufacturing mirrors using casting techniques based on pouring glass into the cast molds. The glass was poured directly from the dome into perfectly smooth surface of the cast mold, and then, as the glass was cooling, it was rolled with the special rollers achieving a perfect consistency and smoothness of material. Immediately after this invention, in Versailles the construction of the French Mirrors Gallery began. The Mirrors Gallery was 220 feet (73 meters) long and embellished with 306 huge mirrors.

On the end of 16th century, following the high fusion style, French queen Maria De Medici decided to create for herself a Mirrored office. For this matter, 119 mirrors was purchased from Venice. Maybe because her purchase was so large, or for some other reason, Venetian masters created a special gift for the queen of France - a unique large mirror generously incrusted with precious stones. Till this day this mirror is preserved and kept in the Louvre in Paris.

Mirrors become a popular valuable collectibles among royals. English King Hendry VIII and the King of France Francis I were the most known mirrors collectors of there time. Trying to catch up with kings, nobles in France had to have an extravagant french mirrors & French Furniture at any cost. There is a knowing facts that some of them had to sell one of they residents in order to purchase a single beautiful mirror. Mirrors were extremely costly. For example one mirror cost more than an Rafael's painting of the same size.

In 17th century Russia, mirrors were considered a sin. In 1666 the Orthodox Church in prohibited the possession of mirrors by its priests. From this time on a lot of superstitions surrounded mirrors. Those superstitions seems to us funny and naive, but back than people took it very seriously. Breaking a mirror, for example, was sign of bad lack for seven years. That is why when a mirror was broken the person who broke it should apologies to the mirror for clumsiness, and had to carefully and respectfully bury it. Solders took mirrors-talismans to reflect away death.

Mirrors have had a long and colorful journey throughout history. In our days there is no home without a mirror. Mirrors have become part of our everyday routine, often unappreciated. We always should remember "reflect" and respect the historical aspects of mirrors.

 

 

If you are looking for beautiful and inspiring mirrors visit www.la-maison-chic.co.uk

 

Styles of mirrors;

 French mirrors, rococo mirrors, venetian mirrors, art deco mirrors 

 

Win our classy Industrial Parabolic Tripod Hollywood Floor Lamp

Win our classy Industrial Parabolic Tripod Hollywood Floor Lamp with Gold Inner Shade (RRP=£450.00)! It so simple to enter! Click the image below and follow instructions to enter. Free Prize Draw closes on 3rd May 2013 when the winner will be announced! Free UK Mainland delivery to the winner's home, extra charges for international postage. Good Luck Everybody!

The parabolic lamp is a steer away from our usual french furniture designs but we love the industrial chic look of this unique lamp that has already had a lot of interest. The style would blend in very well for a loft style apartment and in a setting with industrial furniture often the in thing around London's East Dock's. 

This lamp is due to be featured in the next Home & Antiques magazine issue so look out!

 

The History of French Furniture

The History of French Furniture.

Without doubt, during the eighteenth century, the French designed and built some of the most beautiful and refined furniture ever made, displaying the highest level of artistic and technical ability. Much admired by an international clientele, it was and still is used to furnish residences initially all over Europe and now the World.

The craftsmen of France were far more advanced than the English, therefore the English craftsmen took their furniture design inspiration from them. French Period furniture follows the French Furniture Style dates as follows:

1610 - 1643 Louis 13th
1643 - 1715 Louis 14th
1715 - 1774 Louis 15th
1774 - 1793 Louis 16th
1795 - 1804 Directoire and Consulate
1804 - 1815 Empire

The major influences of French Furniture came within 1643 to 1793, the reigns of Louis 14th, 15th and 16th
Louis 14th (1642 - 1715)
The French Renaissance had lost most of it's Italian origin and had developed a character of it's own. This is when Louis 14th came to reign; he was a man with extravagant tastes. France was at the time one of the wealthiest countries in Europe therefore he was able to indulge in his passion for arts and crafts. The country had fine skilled craftsmen of enormous talent in abundance and nothing was too good or too expensive to be made. The most outstanding of these craftsmen was Andre Charles Boulle, he experimented with the Italian art form of Marquetry in brass, copper, tortiseshell and ebony. This work is now commonly called "Boulle work".

The features of the French style furniture were, wood carving, which did not have decoration, only marquetry, and often elaborate brass mounts. The surfaces of cabinets were generally flat. This is a considerable feature as the next period used curved surfaces everywhere. The main source of decoration was Boulle work. Curved and straight legs were used, with the curved dominating at the end moving to the more shapely next period.
The Palace of Versailles was commissioned by Louis 14th, it was furnished with the finest and richest French furniture that could possibly be produced. Much was destroyed during the Revolution, but what remains today is still extravagant splendour. In major contrast, England at the time was producing simple walnut furniture. On Charles II return from years of exile in France, he introduced many of the French ideas and designs to England.

Louis 15th (1715 - 1774)
The son of Louis 14th was only five years old when his father died and too young to take the reign. The Duke on Orleans was appointed Regent and took control until his death in 1723.
Changes happened in this time and the extravagant grandeur of the court was no longer. The country was not as wealthy and people lived a much quieter presence.
Changes in social standings were occurring, the aristocracy began to marry the more humble but now wealthy middle classes, bankers, merchants etc. The grand mansions that once were ostentatious and full of extravagance were replaced by smaller more intimate homes.


This meant that the style of French furniture had to change to meet the peoples new demands. It needed to be smaller, it stayed ornate but the once masculine forms were replaced by softer prettier feminine lines. Therefore the French furniture became more elegant with more ornamental decoration.
The major feature of Louis 15th French Furniture is the shaped work of the curves. This commenced in Louis 14th 's reign and was expanded upon to the extent that there was barely a straight line or, flat surface visible.

Fronts and sides of cabinets were curved in plan and elevation, which required a high level of skill for the craftsmen to apply the veneers, then there was the elaborate decoration that was usually inlaid. Guilded mounts in place of carving continued its trend.
The cabriole leg (French Version) was at it's most popular during this period. It was similar to the English, their's had a high-pronounced knee adjoining a square at the top and the bottom usually was completed with a club or claw and ball foot.
This Style of Chateau Furniture had a more flowing shape, it did not have the square at the top, the shape flowed into the rails or had a concave curve upwards and the foot was usually scrolled.
The most common of timbers used at this time were, boxwood, rosewood, mahogany, walnut, tulipwood, sycamore and ebony. Guilding and lacquering were also popular at this time.
There was a reaction to the elaborate Rococo work near the end of Louis 15th's reign and the revival of the classical spirit began in Louis 16th's reign.

Louis 16th (1774-1793)
The reaction against the work of the 18th century as well as the continued financial difficulties of his predecessor created a new style of French furniture.
The design became more refined, most of the shape work was removed and with the Queen's influence, (Marie Antoinette), who preferred the simpler forms a new style was developed.
In comparison to the English styles of the same period it was still very ornate, but compared with what had been previously in fashion it was very much simplified.
The major characteristics of this period's French furniture are the use of straight lines and flat surfaces with delicate, refined use of detail. Guilded mounts were still popular, small mouldings and light carvings were now seen.
The timbers used were the same as for the previous period adding satinwood to the list. Now that the shaped work had gone, the cabriole leg was no longer as popular; it was used in a lighter form for small beaureaux and console tables.
Light turned legs or square tapered legs which often had recessed surfaces and guilded mount decoration were then introduced.

French Decor Furniture Styles; Renaissance 2, Louis xiii, Louis xiv, xvth century, 10th - 20 century, regency, Louis xv, Shabby Chic, Louis xvi, empire, restoration, Louis Philippe, napoleon iii, art nouveau, art deco, Antoinette, rustic, chateau, bistro, provincial, Régence, Paris, Versailles.

French Bedroom Furniture

Stock Arriving Early June!

More French Furniture Stock arriving in June. We have our very popular french white armoire coming back in to stock along with the french white dressing table and some new french bedsides & french chest of drawers to match with the antique white bedroom furniture range.

Our new mahogany white bed we are very excited about which will be arriving around the same time, already we have had pre-orders and a lot of interest in them.
We will be ordering much more of the shabby chic range over the next coming year and will keep everyone posted on what will be arriving!