A Régence giltwood mirrorCirca 1714

Mirror from the Regence period in sculpted linden wood, gilded with leaf then burnished and amati, in the main rectangle quadrilateral shape, increased by a pyramidal trilateral pediment. The very openwork pediment is crowned with a shell with five branches, in the middle part a flowered vase of daisies emerges from a gadrooned capital, with finely hatched repair. On either side, the shoulders are only windings of acanthus leaves, garlands and scrolls, all abundantly openwork. Mainly, the domed frame with reserves encased in mirrors, is traversed by a dense winding decoration both floral and vegetal alternated with fleurons and plumes. Each of the four corners is flanked by a spandrel from which emerges obliquely towards the center an acanthus leaf in a cartouche of foliage scrolls and windings. In the middle part, both horizontal and vertical, a staple repeating the motif, elegantly completes the border. On its periphery, a wide groove associated with a garland of plants completes the frame that encases the ice. This, like the mirrors, consists of a flat glass plate lined with tin and lead immersed in a bath of mercury in order to dissolve them there. Pewter associated with lead then giving this warm and luminous side to the so-called “mercury” mirror. The whole decoration is unified by a fine and elegant repair which contributes to the culmination of the work of the master gilder while sublimating the power of that of the master sculptor. On the back, the frame of the frame is blocked at each of its angles by a key, the sheet of ice is lined with a sole of maritime pine which fits into the interior rebate of this same frame; traditional assembly technique inherited from the decorative arts of the great century. Technique which associated with the general decoration allows us to date this mirror from the very beginning of the Regency period; period when the decorative arts are still very influenced by the so-called Louis-quatorzien style where the perfect symmetry of the motifs remains cardinal value but which is distinguished by a more flexible and varied ornamental research. Dimensions: Height 107.8cm – width 57.6cm.