Pier glass

Seventeenth-century pier-glass in situ against a pier between 2 shuttered windows. Possibly not made specifically for this space. Also shown are a pier-table and candle-stands inset with Chinese Coromandel lacquer. Ham House, Surrey.

Late-19th century giltwood pier glass, with classical urn foliage and wheat ear cresting. This is the classic form of the pier glass. Christie's South Kensington, 14 March 2008

The Signing of Peace in the Hall of Mirrors, Versailles, by William Orpen. The imitation piers on the internal wall here depicted are faced with a pilaster, as are the true piers opposite

A pier glass is a mirror which is placed on a pier, i.e. a wall between two windows supporting an upper structure. It is therefore generally of a long and tall shape to fit the space. It may be as a hanging mirror or as mirrored glass affixed flush to the pier, in which case it is sometimes of the same shape and design as the windows themselves. This was a common decorating feature in the reception rooms of large 18th century houses. An incorrect example is commonly given as the Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles and Sanssouci Palace, yet the piers of these rooms are actually faced with pilasters, not pier glass. The mirrored glass is on the internal wall in a shape imitating the windows opposite. True pier glasses are found in the long galleries of many 18th. c. houses.

Hall of Mirrors, Palace of Versailles. The wall surfaces of the piers between the windows are covered with pilasters, not mirror