Antique Empire Period Dressing Mirror Locking Jewelry Box Eros Psyche Ormolu Mounts

Fabulous early to mid-19th century mahogany dressing mirror with locking fitted interior with many small compartments for the storage of jewelry and small essentials. Framed with flame mahogany, the mirror has ormolu star mounts in each corner and is supported by mahogany columns having bronze ormolu capitals and bases. Each column is topped with a gilt wood sphere. The single locking drawer is fronted by a spectacular ormolu mount depicting figures of Greek mythology which would be consistent with the Neoclassicism of the period. The design of the piece is drawn from the love story of Eros and Psyche as determined by the winged figure in the chariot and the night moths pulling it. Eros is traditionally depicted as winged, and Psyche as a night moth. An example of this exact mount is within the collection of the Cooper Hewitt Museum, NYC. Mounts of cupid occupy both sides of the cabinet. Stands on nicely carved lion paw feet. The fitted interior contains two open compartments underneath sliding tambour lids made of alternating exotic woods. One of these compartments contains a nice little wooden box with turned finial. The center of the drawer contains 11 small covered compartments, many have at least one additional compartment concealed beneath and the whole frame of these 9 compartment lifts out to reveal additional concealed storage beneath. The two boxes the far back share a false bottom that once pried up reveals another secret compartment. Measures 36in x 21in width x 15in depth overall, cabinet excluding mirror measures 8.75in height. Condition: wear to gilding on sphere, age crack in top of case (tight and structurally sound), minor veneer chips to left edge of case. The mirror and columns will be disassembled for proper packing and shipping and will require minor re-assembly.