French Japonisme Gilt and Silvered Bronze Wall Mirror by Edouard Lievre
A French Japonisme Gilt and Silvered Bronze Wall Mirror by Edouard Lievre, circa 1880 The exquisite quality cresting is modeled as dragons, high quality mask heads and centered by a roundel above a rectangular beveled glass mirror. Measures: 23" high x 14.5" wide. Very good condition. Edouard Lievre was one of the most talented and prolific industrial designers of the second half of the 19th century. Trained initially as an illustrator under Thomas Couture, from 1870, Edouard was fully immersed in decorative art providing designs for manufacturers and marchand-editeurs. In the 1870's he designed a small group of furniture in "le style japonias et chinois" for important private clients and for editors of luxurious furniture and objects. Edouard Lievre's designs were made by the silversmith Christofle, bronzier Barbedienne, and by furniture ebeniste Paul Sormani. However, Lievre is most often associated with the marchand-editeur and retailer of haute luxe furnishing L'Escalier De Cristal. See similar stylized dragon mounts of the same quality as this mirror to a piece of furniture that was sold at Christies London, 10 June 2014, Lot 56, and another vitrine that was Sold at Christies New York, 18 November 2014, Lot 50.
