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When were mirrors invented?

Mirrors have always been more than practical objects; they’re portals into history, symbols of beauty, and artistic feats of craftsmanship. Let’s step through the looking glass and explore...

10. Meet the French Royal Style: Napoléon III

  Did you know that Napoléon III escaped prison disguised as a lumberjack and was the first French ruler elected by popular vote? Get to know the quirky characters of the French Royals!

9. Meet the French Royal Style: Louis Philippe

Did you know Louis Philippe was basically the original jet-setter—never staying anywhere longer than 48 hours—and somehow survived seven assassination attempts? The man was part king, part Houdini.

8. Meet the French Royal Style: Napoléon Bonaparte

Did you know we owe right-hand traffic in Europe to Napoléon? Not for efficiency—no, no—but to stop hot-headed horsemen from sword-fighting in the streets. Très practical. 

7. Meet the French Royal Style: Marie Antoinette

Marie Antoinette is referred to as the Queen of Taste, as she often sported an intricate hairstyle that was decorated with unbelievable objects, such as a battleship replica of a French warship.

6. Meet the French Royal Style: Louis XVI

Louis XVI was the final King of France before the Revolution—and a surprisingly skilled lock-picker to boot. Who knew royal secrets included a bit of sneaky locksmithing?

5. Meet the French Royal Style: Madame de Pompadour

When Madame de Pompadour was little, a fortune teller predicted that she would grow up to win the heart of a king. From time to time she held a strict diet of celery, vanilla and truffles.

4. Meet the French Royal Style: Louis XV

Did you know that Louis XV was an enthusiastic amateur astronomer and that his favourite animal was his white angora cat. He was a ladies’ man, although he was described as being extremely shy.

2. Meet the French Royal Style: Louis XIV

Louis XIV didn’t just dislike Paris—he ghosted it. Rather than suffer the noise and rebellion of the city, he built himself a stage fit for a god: Versailles.

3. Meet the French Royal Style: Philippe d'Orléans

Did you know that Philippe d'Orléans purchased the world’s largest known diamond, a 141 carat cushion brilliant, now known as Le Régent?