Gilt Resin Sunburst Mirror, French, Circa 1970

This gilt resin sunburst mirror is a radiant example of the decorative mirror production that flourished in France during the 1960s and 1970s. The sunburst form — with its rays of varying lengths projecting from a central mirrored disc — creates an object of dynamic energy and solar symbolism, the gilt resin rays capturing and diffusing light in every direction. The use of resin, rather than carved wood or gilded bronze, reflects the period's embrace of synthetic materials for decorative effect, allowing the elaboration of forms of great delicacy and consistency of finish that traditional materials could not easily achieve at this scale.

The sunburst mirror has deep roots in French decorative arts, from the gilded wooden soleils of the Louis XIV era — when the sun served as the emblem of the Roi-Soleil — to the refined designs of 20th-century artists such as Line Vautrin (1913–1997), whose remarkable mirror and jewelry designs in gilt bronze talosel established a new aesthetic for the sunburst form. By the 1970s, the sunburst mirror had become a democratic luxury, available in a wide range of materials and sizes, its solar symbolism and dynamic radial form making it one of the most popular and enduring decorative objects of the century.

Hung on a wall, this mirror creates a focal point of golden radiance in any interior. Its circular, radiating form works equally well above a fireplace, in an entrance hall, or as the central accent of a curated wall composition. The gilt resin construction gives it a warmth and depth that belies its material, and its classic proportions ensure it will enhance any style of interior — from the stately traditional to the boldly contemporary.