Crazy for...Trumeau

A lovely trumeau mirror in a lovely Lars Bolander residence.

Trumeau mirrors. I only recently homed in on them, and, now, I have to say, there's no going back. That's because they're pretty, functional and utterly unique--a trio of attributes that is hard to top when it comes to selecting things for your decor.

"Trumeau" is an architectural term meaning a section of wall or pillar between two openings. The main portal of the Saint-Urbain church, right, shows a narrow trumeau between the two doors. The statue in between those doors could be referred to as a trumeau statue.

Trumeau mirrors became popular as a residential feature in 18th century France. Before electricity, it was obviously greatly advantageous to be able to reflect light around a room. Trumeau mirrors, which were inset into a room's wood paneling, neatly accomplished this task.

Typically, trumeau mirrors were situated between two windows, hence their rectangular shape. A design, echoing the original room's design, is incorporated in a panel above the glass. Many trumeaus have a musical motif; can't you just picture guests being tortured entertained by a host's harp-playing daughter after a long meal? (No wonder extra light was in order!). But I digress.

A trumeau mirror graces the mantle in a Suzanne Kasler designed room.

Reproduction trumeau mirrors are readily available, but antique versions can be frequently found at auction starting at a few hundred dollars--and I'm sure you know by now, my dearlings, which ones I prefer And so, after a wee bit more inspiration, in the form of Furlow Gatewood's gorgeous Georgia home, featured in this month's Veranda...

A trumeau mirror looks right at home in the Georgia residence of Furlow Gatewood.

...I bring you trumeau mirrors that can be had at auction this month; several interesting ones and all very different. First up, on June 12th, Ivey-Selkirk in St. Louis has a Louis VX mirror with a beautiful, gray blue surround, complete with chubby, pink cherubs, estimate $1,500-2,000.

Louis XV mirror, at auction on June 12th,
estimate $1,500-2,000, detail below.

This midnight blue trumeau mirror isn't old, I don't think. It is, however, quite striking. At auction at Lewis & Maese in Houston on June 8th, estimate $350-550.

Midnight blue trumeau, at auction June 8th,
 estimate $350-550.

Leslie Hindman Auctioneers, in Chicago, has a beautiful and scenic 19th century trumeau mirror at auction on June 8th, estimate $400-600. Note the putty color surrounding it isn't the wall, but part of the trumeau. The surrounding wood is one of the details that makes a trumeau a trumeau.

19th century trumeau, at auction June 8th, estimate $400-600.

I told you about Kamelot Auctions, in Philadelphia, last week, which always has, to my mind, wonderfully eclectic things. To my mind, this 1921 Chinoiserie trumeau is yet another example, at auction June 11th, estimate $500-800.

1921 trumeau mirror, at auction June 11th,
estimate $500-800.

Kamelot also has this pair of trumeau, which also come with a built in sconce and console. Talk about one stop shopping! At auction, June 11th, estimate, $2-3,000.

Pair of trumeau mirrors, sconces and consoles,
at auction June 11th, estimate $2-3,000.

 Happy hunting!