Antique cast iron fire back: Venus with her mirror and the sacred flame of Vesta

This square antique cast iron fire back is large. It was made in France in the 19th century. It has a crack at the bottom.

This beautiful Baroque Style fire back features a central depiction of the goddess Venus holding her mirror in one hand and the sacred flame of Vesta in the other one. The central medallion is surrounded by pretty foliage motifs in volutes.

In Roman mythology, Venus is the goddess of love, beauty, seduction and fertility. She is also the mother of Cupid, Hermaphrodite and the Trojan prince Aeneas.

She is represented here with one of her symbol, the mirror, but also with the sacred flame of Vesta, goddess of fire and hearth, protector of the family.

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