19th century Regency Giltwood Convex Mirror

Convex mirrors can be traced back to the 10th century and have fascinated mankind ever since. Their popularity peaked during the French Empire and the English Regency periods where they became staple items for many households. Adorning the walls of dining rooms, they allowed waiters to keep a watchful eye on the progress of the dinner. While the convex mirror shows a warped view of reality, it also magnifies light, which provides interiors with additional illumination. Convex mirrors were produced in large numbers over the first three decades of the 19th century, but very few of this exceptional quality survive.