An Early 19thC Italian Gilt-Gesso Wall Mirror c.1830

$1,089.00
Origin: Italian
Period: Early 19thC
Provenance: Unknown
Date: c.1830
Height: 24”
Depth: 2”
Width: 31”

The dome topped wall mirror, of overmantel type form, having the original sparkling mercury glass plate, featuring a ghostly central decayed orb to the centre, surrounded by a well carved gilt gesso moulded frame of floral spandrels to an incised lozenge ground and gadrooned inner border, the whole surviving from nineteenth century Italy.

The original mirror plate has wonderful clouding and attractive foxing with the rather unusual central orb of decay. The gilding is nicely worn and is showing the pink bole underneath in places. There are no losses and it remains completely original aside from the backing boards being lacking and replaced with hardboard.

This mirror would have been part of a smaller fireplace overmantel setting in an Italian villa.

The wonderfully random plate gives this quality mirror a real curios kick; almost as though the former owners face remains part of its fabric.
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