the Louis’ Mask Convex Mirror

In All, Mirrors by Arif

The Louis’ Mask mirror really isn’t a mirror at all. The face is clear resin from a mold I made of a 19th century wood carving.  Sort of looks like Louis XIV, but is probably a more generic god or angel.

The face is surrounded by a halo of gold and straw Venetian glass.

This mirror is a touch over 7 inches in diameter.  It is in my studio until being shipped to one of my showrooms.

Jewelry for walls!

A portrait of Louis XIV by Hyacinthe Rigaud, 1701.

For more one this remarkable king and his ultimately tragic dynasty go to my Bourbon series at

A sample from my Bourbon Dynasty series of lenticulars.

Louis XIV, the Sun King ( 1638-1715)

Louis XIV is the longest reigning monarch in European history. He was king for over 72 years. He was known as the “Sun King”.

His wars and his mania for building nearly bankrupted France. Those who suffered most were the poor and Louis was famously callous to their plight.

On one hand he was extremely polite and courteous to all. He was hard working and punctual. He was a great supporter of the arts. He was sexy, sentimental and pious. He enjoyed enormous meals. On the other hand Louis was intolerant, ruthless, religiously bigoted and indifferent to the discomfort, inconvenience or suffering of others. Louis was aggressive in war but for his own glory not for justice. He was a notorious libertine. In the end, Louis XIV was an arrogant hypocrite.

Louis lived so long that he outlived his time. The court had become calcified.He died an agonizing death due to gangrene in his leg.

Note: As a young man Louis XIV was a talented ballet dancer. As a teenager he starred in a court ballet dancing the role of Apollo. Hence, the Sun King was created.