A Large Distressed Victorian Gesso & Mercury Plate Overmantle Mirror c.1880 sub-Natural History Usually when one sees owl

Usually when one sees owl carvings they are tobacco jars

Brilliantly decorative

The glazed oak shadow box with striking ruby red interior and gilt gesso frame

perhaps Sir John wasn’t used to doing his own ironing

The lions were more than likely painted at least forty years ago but wouldn’t have been painted at the time they were made

A Large Distressed Victorian Gesso & Mercury Plate Overmantle Mirror c.1880 sub-Natural History Usually when one sees owlOrigin: EnglishPeriod: Mid Late VictorianProvenance: UnknownDate: c. 1880Height: 40Depth: 2Width: 45. 5The large dome topped overmantle mirror having the original heavy mercury glass plate surrounded by a gesso and pine moulded frame showing remnants of an ebonised and gilded finish, the lower edge with extended shaped mouldings, surviving from the high Victorian period in completely unmolested condition. The original mirror plate has wonderful