Early 18th Century French Regence Love Symbol Giltwood Mirror
An early 18th century Regence giltwood mirror with a rectangular plate (17.72 in. X 13.38 in. ) within a conforming frame adorned with a carved ionic egg-and-dart border and interlaced scrolls, acanthus, foliate and trellis cartouches with foliage on a diapered background. The impressive arched crest depicting a trophy of a burning torch, a bow, and a lyra symbolising love on the same diapered background as the frame. The trophy is surmounted by an arch shaped top with a crowing shell motif. Frame and arched crest are fitting together in size, design and finish, the burnished water gilded carvings are in interplay with the matte oil gilded gesso carved background.
The finely gesso carved details that are so typical for the Regence frames appear to be borrowed from the intricate designs of contemporary silverware.
Comparative literature:
Graham Child, World Mirrors 1650–1900, London 1990, fig. 328.
