Cheval glass (psyché) 1805 - 1819

This is a cheval glass, or psyché, made from mahogany with gilded bronze ornamentation by François-Honoré-Georges Jacob-Desmalter. Mirrors like this one became popular during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, a period marked by significant social upheaval following the French Revolution. Considered an emblem of luxury, the mirror reflects the values of the elite. Its presence in domestic spaces allowed individuals to scrutinize their appearance, reinforcing gendered expectations and societal hierarchies. The gilded bronze decoration suggests opulence and classical antiquity, reflecting the aspirations of the French empire under Napoleon. What does it mean to see yourself reflected in such a space, knowing it was designed to uphold specific ideals of beauty and status? How might the experience differ across lines of gender, class, or race? The mirror invites us to critically reflect on our own identities in relation to the historical and cultural forces that continue to shape our self-perception.