Convex sunburst mirror in carved and gilded wood, 1950s

This sunburst mirror reflects the sculptural taste for radiant wall mirrors that became popular during the 1950s, combining a central convex glass with a dense ring of carved wooden rays finished in gold leaf. The rays vary in length and profile, with stepped and fluted sections, extending from an inner frame carved with a braided rope motif that holds the glass. The gilding shows the warm and slightly irregular tone typical of hand-applied gold leaf on carved wood, giving depth and movement to the piece when light hits the different faces of the rays. In the centre, the convex glass, sometimes called a witch's eye or sorcerer's eye, curves outward and compresses the reflected image into a small, rounded circle—a technique historically used for both decorative value and, in earlier centuries, to ward off bad luck. Sunburst mirrors of this type became a symbol of mid-century interiors, appreciated for the graphic and almost architectural presence they bring to a wall despite their compact size. This piece works well above a console, over a fireplace, or in an entrance hall, where its radiant shape and metallic finish catch ambient light from different angles. Mid-century decor and sunburst mirror collectors seek pieces with this level of carving detail and a well-defined convex glass, unlike the flat glass common in later reproductions. Diameter 58 cm, depth 6 cm.