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| Hand Mirror Boucheron, 1860-1865 Enameled Gold, Diamonds, Rubies and Pearls Presented to Queen Mary and King George V Crown Copyright The Royal Collection Image Courtesy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II |
Made by Boucheron between 1860 and 1865, this hand mirror glistens with a frame of gold, enamel, pearls, rubies and diamonds.
The mirror was presented to George V and Queen Mary, while still Prince and Princess of Wales, by the Aga Khan. Before that, the mirror was exhibited at the Paris Exhibition of 1867 where it was purchased by the Earl of Dudley.
This oval hand mirror features a faceted beveled edge and gold enameled frame set with scalloped flat-cut ruby collets. The outer border is set with a red and green enameled honey suckle pattern with pearls set in rose diamond acanthus cups, with pearls between. The top of the mirror boasts a diamond fleur-de-lys. A pierced gold, scrollwork handle is set with rubies, diamonds and pearls, and showcases heart-shaped shields of painted enamel and enamel bars.
This mirror was enameled by Armand-Désir Riffault (1832-1872), a jeweler and enameller who worked for Boucheron. Riffault famously crafted elegant objects for the Paris exhibition of 1867.
According to the curators of the Royal Collection, “This mirror, enameled by Riffault for the 1867 exhibition in the Renaissance style, won praise from the officials and the press and Riffault, together with Boucheron, were awarded a 'Médaille de bronze' for it.”
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