19th-Century Swedish Carved Mirror

Measurements (Framed): 
27.5 x 38 2.5 cm
 
19th-Century Swedish Carved Mirror
Sweden, c.1850
This small wall mirror exemplifies mid-19th-century Swedish craftsmanship, where simple, functional design was elevated through fine detailing and proportion. The rectangular frame, made of polished pine or birch, retains its warm, natural patina, speaking to decades of careful use. At the crest, a hand-carved foliate motif—a restrained flourish in dark-stained wood—adds a note of Baroque revival influence, typical of Scandinavian domestic decoration during this period.
Its modest scale suggests it was originally intended for a bedroom or hallway, where it would have caught the light of a nearby candle or window. The gently foxed mercury glass now enhances its character, preserving both the craftsmanship and the quiet intimacy of its past setting.