Chinese Cloisonne Vanity Mirror, Reversible, 1920-30's

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Description

This vanity mirror has two faces. One is practical, the other is beautiful art.

The first is the oval mirror … Read more This vanity mirror has two faces. One is practical, the other is beautiful art.

The first is the oval mirror measuring 9 x 7". It is bordered by a band of cloisonne 3/4" wide that shows the repeating pattern that appears throughout the piece: a black background of "crinkle" clouds, tan stalks, green leaves and pink yellow and white peony flowers.

This pattern is repeated in a larger scale on the base and with the addition of a blue rock or mountain from which sprout the peonies. The very bottom of the base has a double border of reddish scales. Between the two borders are flowers in muted purple and orange.

Moving up from the base is a three-tiered column of expanding cylinders, showing Art Deco influence. These are black columns with blue on the top of the first two tiers. On top of the last tier there are clouds with red centers. This is where the bail that holds the mirror is screwed in.

The bail itself is brass with an etched motif of vines and flowers stamped on it. The two finials or nuts which screw into the bail to hold the mirror in place are also cloisonne and each carry a little pink flower.

The back of the mirror is the second face and a gorgeous oval piece of cloisonne art. 10.25 x 8.25". From a blue rock sprout tan stalks, green leaves, buds and blossoms of peonies in pink, white, and muted orange. At the 1 and 8 o'clock positions are two butterflies hovering over the flowers against that black background.

You can use the mirror and when done flip it over and you have a work of art standing there.

Turning the piece upside down you can see the base is hollow and where the bail screws intothe base. There is rust on the screw and nut but not much. The mirror is stable and level. See less