Crested Mirrors
Crested mirrors in gilded frames, each crowned by an ornamental crest of acanthus, scallop shell or a laurel wreath. The wooden frames, their ornament modelled in composite plaster, are gilded by hand and fitted with bevelled glass. Models range from the oval Fontaine to the full-length Beauvoir at 216 cm, in baroque, rococo and Louis XVI styles.
What is a crested mirror?
A crested mirror is recognised by the ornamental cresting that crowns the top of the frame. It usually combines acanthus leaves, ribbons or rocaille motifs. Set beside mirrors with plain, straight lines, a crested mirror makes more of the light in a room.
Where a painting tells its story in colour, a mirror tells it in reflections. The crest acts as a sculptural accent and carries the architecture of the room upwards, so that the mirror becomes part of the space rather than a mere ornament.
A well-made crested mirror does not chase easy glitter: it brings form, light and history together in one object.
Why we make gilded crested mirrors by hand
At Kuzco Art Maison we believe a home can inspire as much as an exhibition room and stir the same feeling. Our crested mirrors are made with the same care for material and proportion that marks French models from the reigns of Louis XV and Louis XVI.
Period mirrors are scarce and fragile, and many present-day imitations miss the point of the model. We make new pieces that stay true to the historical form.
Each mirror starts from a wooden frame, its ornament often modelled in composite plaster, finished by hand in gold leaf. The result is a soft glow that seems to hold the light rather than simply return it.
Gold crested mirrors in the French tradition
Versailles is the natural point of reference: the palace itself describes the Hall of Mirrors as a display of power on a scale rarely matched. The gold and sculptural ornament of our frames draw on that taste of the French baroque.
No single historical piece is copied: the frames reinterpret the essentials of that repertoire, the balance of symmetry, ornament and light.
Our collection of crested mirrors
The collection gathers several interpretations of the French crested mirror:
- Perle, a baroque gold mirror with a laurel wreath: a frame of subtle profile, with a fine row of beads beside the glass.
- Louise, a gilded crested wall mirror, 180 × 100 cm: architectural in its lines, with a restrained crest, for symmetrical interiors.
- Gisèle, a baroque gold mirror with a scallop-shell crest, 170 cm: tall and commanding, at home in a classical entrance hall or on a stair landing.
- Fontaine, oval, with acanthus cresting: soft in outline, its gold leaf in a gently muted tone.
- Beauvoir, a full-length crested gold mirror, 216 cm: elongated, with a strong vertical lift, crowned by restrained ornament.
Each mirror is gilded and toned individually, so that the gold leaf takes on a warm, nuanced sheen.
Placing a crested mirror: advice for interior designers and collectors
A crested mirror is the focal point of a room. Above a chimneypiece it adds height to the wall; in an entrance hall or at the foot of a staircase it catches the daylight and spreads it softly. Pair it with marble, bronze or limewash to heighten the contrast between material and light.
Advice on size, finish and shade of gilding, from old gold to champagne, is available for every project, so that history and a calm contemporary feel stay in balance.
Service and quality
- Made by hand in small series
- Fair, transparent prices
- Gilded with real gold leaf
- Clear, crisp mirror glass
- Styles from baroque and rococo to Louis XVI
- Trade accounts for interior designers and decorators
- Shipping across Europe, with personal advice online or at the Amsterdam gallery (appointment only)
Care and hanging of a gilded crested mirror
A gold leaf mirror keeps its sheen best in soft light and with careful handling. Dust it with a dry cloth and avoid cleaning products. Hang it securely and level, ideally facing a window or a light source, so that the gold leaf shows its full depth.
