A gilded mirror frame with exquisite wood carvings, Flanders late 17th century

This exceptional mirror frame is crafted from beautifully carved and gilded oak and stands out for its rich ornamentation and sculptural details.
The frame is lavishly decorated with detailed figures and allegorical trophies of war along the edges. The carved, standing figures in the corners, dressed in historical robes, appear to represent allegorical or mythological characters. In the art of the Golden Age, such figures and trophies of war could symbolise power, prestige, virtue, victory and prosperity.

The figures depicted on the mirror frame are Mars, the Roman god of war, and Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom and warf.

Mars is the Roman god of war, military strength, and protection. He is usually depicted as a powerful warrior, clad in armour and equipped with a helmet, spear, and shield. In addition to his role as the god of war, Mars was also worshipped as a protector of agriculture and fertility.

According to Roman mythology, Mars was the father of Romulus and Remus, the legendary founders of Rome. He was regarded as one of the most important gods of the Roman Empire and symbolised courage, discipline, and victory.

Athena is the Greek goddess of wisdom, strategic insight, and warfare. She is traditionally depicted wearing a helmet and often carrying a shield and spear. As the patron goddess of the city of Athens, she symbolises intelligence, courage, and justice.

Her recognisable attributes include the owl, a symbol of wisdom, and the aegis, a protective shield or piece of armour associated with her in mythology.

A depiction of Athena is a characteristic motif within classical mythology and the European artistic tradition.

The combination of the refined woodcarving, the warm lustre of the gilded wood and the three-dimensional figures lends the mirror frame a monumental and aristocratic character. The whole piece bears witness to a tradition of craftsmanship in which decoration, symbolism and sculpture come together harmoniously.

At the top of the mirror frame is the coat of arms of the Belgian municipality of Anderlues, situated in the province of Hainaut, which dates back to the heraldic tradition of the local lords. In the 17th century, Anderlues was not yet an independent town with its own municipal coat of arms, but a manor under the authority of noble families. According to Geneawiki, the official blazon of Anderlues is: ‘Gules (red) a chevron argent (silver).’

During the Ancien Régime, the manor belonged to prominent noble families, including the well-known House of Trazegnies. It was customary for noble families to link their family coats of arms to the territories and manors they owned. In this way, family coats of arms could evolve into distinguishing marks that were also associated with a particular place or manor.

In heraldry, a chevron is a V-shaped heraldic figure reminiscent of the structure of a roof truss. Such figures are sometimes attributed symbolic meanings, such as protection, support or architectural strength. However, caution is advised when attributing these meanings to the coat of arms of Anderlues: without a specific historical source, it cannot be stated with certainty that the silver chevron originally referred to the construction of fortifications or to the protective role of the local lords.

Flanders, late 17th century.