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The Sunburst Mirror Makes a Comeback

The sunburst mirror is making a big comeback as a dramatic decorative element. With a long and interesting history, these wonderful pieces just never seem to go out of style. They add a vibrant focal point when placed in almost any room in your home and can often turn into a conversation starter when you least expect it. It is not hard to find your own sunburst mirror; you will just have to decide if you want a classic antique one, a retro version or a contemporary art deco piece.

Sunburst mirrors have been around for centuries since artists began creating pieces to pay homage to the sun. Sun worshipers in many areas of the world brought their love for the sun into their art, architecture and even their mirrors. The sunburst mirror has often been associated with Louis XIV, who was known as the “Sun King”. King Louis liked to begin each day by seeing golden rays of sunlight radiating from his face as he looked into his mirror.

The trend caught on and sunburst mirrors were soon found in dining rooms and living rooms all over Europe. Even today, it is easy to find an antique sunburst mirror at flea markets in France and other surrounding countries. While they go in and out of style, these great pieces of functional art keep coming back into vogue.

In the United States, sunburst mirrors made a big comeback in the 1950s and 1960s as everything to do with the sun was very popular. Many homes featured a large sunburst mirror in the living room. Now, a few decades later, these same mirrors are becoming the retro wall art that everyone has to have.

There are many reasons why these mirrors are so popular. They are a great way to add color and vibrancy to any room. You can create a dramatic focal point instantly by hanging one on the wall of a living room, dining room or even a bedroom or bathroom. The mirror and the rays extending outward can make a small room appear to be larger than it is. A gold sunburst mirror will bring warmth and energy to a room that does not get a lot of natural light.

So, how do you go about finding your very own sunburst mirror? There are a lot of different ways, depending on what type of mirror you want. Antique stores and dealers are one place to start. There are also online retailers selling both antique and reproductions of older mirrors.

If you want a more contemporary sunburst wall mirror, then you will have a lot to choose from. Designers are constantly coming up with new spin-offs. Sunburst wire wall art can be either contemporary or actually have a 1970s retro look. These are often made of stainless steel with many reflective mirror discs and are about 24 inches in diameter. Other contemporary artists are recreating sunburst mirrors out of bamboo or even driftwood. No matter what your decorating style is, you should have no trouble finding a beautiful sunburst mirror to add glamor and style to your home.