A Pretty c.1790 Giltwood & Gesso Wall Mirror

SOLD
Origin: Probably Italian
Period: Late Eighteenth Century
Provenance: Unknown
Date: c.1780-1800
Height: 24 inches
Width: 17.25 inches
The Plate: 9.75 inches

The George III period giltwood and gesso wall mirror having a later plain circular plate within deeply carved spreading surround with radiating fluted design, gesso flowers and scrolls, surmounted by a mask of Christ with sunburst halo, flanked by reclining putti (one part lacking) and with fruit pendant, the whole with a good patination and colour, surviving from the zeniths of the eighteenth century.

The mirror is tired, part understandably, but still proves to be attractive. There is a section of loss to one of the putti attendants, with further small losses to extremities and the pine back boards are absent. The plate is contemporary and therefore it is clear and without imperfection. The gilding as a whole has areas of wear and loss as seen in the photographs but the mirror has not be restored and thus remains true to its original condition and is ready and able to be hung and admired if one is able to overlook the losses. Obviously she could be fully restored if so desired.

The addition of the mask of Christ to the surmount is unusual, we’ve never seen another with this detail, usually if putto are used then they are the only figural motif present.

Perfection in imperfection.
image/svg+xml