Antique Persian Hand-Painted Folding Mirror with Talismanic Manuscript

Some objects simply refuse to give up their secrets, and this is gloriously one of them. A very old Oriental folding mirror, almost certainly Persian, built like a tiny theatre of wood, hammered copper sheet and semi-precious stones, then painted in polychrome with ancient motifs that have mellowed into the most wonderful muted jewel tones.

Open the painted wing doors and a softly foxed mirror plate looks back at you, wearing the kind of patina no factory could ever fake. Tucked within is a fascinating sheet of gentian-blue paper, covered in mysterious handwritten lines, prayers and a little drawing of a domed shrine, lending the whole piece a quietly spiritual dimension. A small old break to the upper right corner only adds to its honest, hand-made charm. This is genuine folk art, full of atmosphere and stories you will never quite finish telling.

Styling & Collectors Inspiration

This is a piece that loves company with character. Hang it beside our Handcrafted Malaysian Mirror Cabinet with Painted Wing Doors for a whole wall of folk-art looking glasses, or set it against the cooler glamour of our Antique Oval Faceted Crystal Mirror with Ornate Gilt Frame.

Collectors of the written and the sacred will adore pairing its talismanic paper with our Rare Burmese Kammavaca Ordination Manuscript, while a Vibrant Transylvanian Handwoven Wool Rug underfoot completes a richly layered, well-travelled interior.

Details

• Origin: Oriental folk art, very likely Persian, judging by the script and shrine imagery
• Materials: wood, hammered copper sheet, semi-precious stones, polychrome paint and mirrored glass
• Form: folding mirror with two hand-painted wing doors that open and close
• The interior holds an old gentian-blue manuscript leaf covered in handwritten script, prayers and a drawing of a domed shrine
• Dimensions: closed approx 37 cm high by 26 cm wide; open approx 42 by 37 cm
• Weight: approx 1.5 kg
• Condition: charming aged patina to the mirror plate, a small old break to the upper right corner, honest signs of age in keeping with genuine antique folk art

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