A Louis XIV Giltwood Mirror Early 18th Circa 1710 - 1714

Louis XIV period mirror in carved and gilded lime wood, with a rectangular quadrilateral shape in the main part, augmented by a pyramidal trilateral pediment. This openwork pediment is topped with an asymmetrical lily emerging from a five-branched shell, itself supported by finely carved clasps. In the main part, the domed frame with reserves embedded in glass plates is covered with a dense scrolling decoration, both floral and vegetal, alternating with fleurons and plumes. Each of the four corners is flanked by a spandrel from which emerges diagonally towards the center an acanthus leaf in a cartouche of foliage and scrolls. On the inner periphery, a wide ogee groove completes the frame which encases the mirror. This, like the mirrors, is made of a flat glass plate lined with tin and lead immersed in a mercury bath in order to dissolve them. Tin combined with lead then gives this warm and luminous side to the mirror called "mercury". 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 maritime pine sole which fits on the inside of this same frame; traditional assembly technique of the decorative arts of the great century. Technique which associated with the general decoration allows us to date this mirror from the last period of the reign of the great monarch around 1710 - 1714; period when the decorative arts are always distinguished by a search for the grandiose to the point of emphasis influenced by the style called: Louis-quatorzien where the perfect symmetry of the motifs remains cardinal value, but which is distinguished by a more flexible and more varied ornamental research asymmetry. Dimensions: Height 118cm - width 64.5cm. It should be noted some wrinkles of time attenuated by old gilding.