In times past, in the 19th century, a bride would have had a stand created for her couronne, her bridal crown of wax orange blossom. The stand was made of ormolu elements, selected to signify symbolically. her hopes and dreams  for married life. There would be mirrors, always a bird with a couronne and a velvet cushion for the crown. This whole stand would have been encased in a glass dome and displayed in the family home, a testament to their love and marriage.
 
Today, these stands have often lost their dome but remain as memories of love.
 
This stand is unusual as it has a double arch of decorations and also that the decorations are vine leaves and bunches of grapes, which would have been significant to the bride. There is a large bird with her crown of flowers in its beak and the central mirror is unusual as it is eight sided, encased in velvet and hand painted with flowers. It is thicker and better quality than the usual mirrors, which are normally like the lower one. 
 
I particularly lihe the small dove below the cushion and above the second mirror.
 
There are all the delightful signs of age and authenticity; wear of the gilding and age discolouration to the ormolu, some leaves or grapes may be missing or these may have been left free to take flowers from the couronne which were sometimes attached around the arch. There is wear to the cushion (including out of sight underneath) and foxing to the second mirror. There is also wear to the velvet cushion.
 
All in all a beautiful soulful antique, measuring  17" by 11" and 5" deep.