The Marie convex mirror is unusual for me because the gold metal leafed surface of the frame is studded with various sizes of glass cabochons. The cabs refract the texture of the frame giving a deeper, richer look. Venetian glass rods embellish some details and contrast nicely with the cabochons.
The Marie convex mirror is about 6 7/8 inches in diameter. It is being sent to my Atlanta showroom, Ainsworth-Noah. Call 404-231-8787 for more information.
Jewelry for Walls!
Of course, I never name a mirror without a story! This mirror was named for Queen Marie Leszczyñska( I won’t even try to pronounce her last name!).
Marie Leszczyñska( 1703-1768) was the wife of Louis XV. She was the daughter of the exiled and penniless King of Poland, Stanislas Lecinski. When he received the letter asking whether he would consent to have his daughter marry the King of France he couldn’t believe his luck. He cried “Kneel, kneel and give thanks to God Almighty!” Marie Leszczyñska excitedly asked “What has happened—are you going back, as King of Poland?” He replied “Far better than that, you are going, as Queen of France!”
Marie Leszczyñska was a compromise candidate for marriage. She eventually won because she was Catholic and at an age where she could bear children immediately. However she was handsome instead of pretty and rather dull. She was good-natured, pious and essentially good.
When the marriage took place her 15 year old husband enthusiastically took her to bed and managed to make love to her seven times. Needless to say Marie Leszczyñska became pregnant and gave birth to ten children in ten years. After the birth of her tenth child she did all she could to keep Louis out of her bed. She said that she was “in bed, or pregnant or brought to bed.” Marie Leszczyñska used the excuse of not making love on Saint’s Days which multiplied to the point where Louis was compelled to find sex with women other than his wife.
Louis was a serial womanizer and had a string of highly influential mistresses. Though Marie Leszczyñska tolerated Louis’ flings all she really worried about was whether these women would treat her with the deference and respect due their queen.
Marie Leszczyñska understood her roll as Queen. She performed her duties with punctuality and commitment. But she never became a power at court and preferred to embroider altar clothes than to intrigue and gossip.
Marie Leszczyñska was beloved by the French people for her piety, kindness, charity and modest behavior. When she died at the age of 65 it was a blow to the prestige of the monarchy.
Note: Unaccustomed to the luxury and abundance of food and drink at the French court, Marie almost died shortly after her marriage. She had managed to eat nine dozen oysters and downed four flagons of beer at one sitting. She was given last rights but survived.
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