19th Century Gilt Bronze-Mounted Napoleon III Malachite Dressing Mirror

Decorative bronze scene of a cheurb on a horse drawn chairot riding through the clouds. Bronze foliage and grapes decorate the top and base of the mirror. The sides adorned with a long bronze torch and flame.

Malachite is a semi-precious stone and also a valuable copper ore, hydrous copper carbonate. It is a beautiful green earth stone with irregular black banding. It is easily recognized by its color, green streak, and silky or velvety luster. It was used to make beautiful jewelry and to adorn only the finest pieces of furniture. In the 18th and 19th centuries malachite was popular with Russian Czars and Nobility. They often used it to decorate their palaces and own personal furnishings. The Hermitage Museum has one of the biggest and best displays of malachite pieces in the world.