Mirror Image

Palaces and forts, and grand hotels and big restaurants are full of decorative flourishes. Almost every surface is painted, tiled, stenciled or carved. One of the regular features we’ve noticed is the use of mirrors. They are cut into small pieces used to make a design, and are generally convex, the better to reflect the light.

It must have been particularly impressive at night before electricity, with candlelight from lamps or torches being directed all over the room by way of these mirrors. Now, some chandeliers have flickering bulbs that attempt the same effect. At first I thought the fixture was on the fritz, but then I realized it was deliberate.

It's hard to see, but every feather of this bird is a mirror!