18th Century Giltwood and Gesso Wall Mirror

A Delightful 18th Century Giltwood and Gesso Wall Mirror Of Attractive Proportions, Having Replaced Old Mirror Plate Within Strapwork Decorated Scrolling Frame. Surmounted By Wonderful Carved Shell With Foliate Decoration To Top And Attractive Reverse Carved Shell To Bottom. 

Gesso is a type of plaster that is prepared of finely ground chalk, applied onto the wooden surface in a series of layers. This could then be used for the maker to create elaborate, different designs by cutting into the newly created surface. Once these designs were completed the gilding could then be applied on top of them. 

This elegant Georgian giltwood mirror dates to the first quarter of the 18th century when the somewhat cumbersome designs of many Queen Anne period mirrors were just beginning to meet the fresh, elegant, designs of the Georgian Period.

Along with the fact that this mirror has clearly been extremely well loved and looked after over many years, this combination of styles has created a most attractive item indeed that would look at home on just about any wall, in any house, alongside any existing combination of furniture and art.

The gilding itself has a wonderful mellow feel to it and is mostly original, having been touched up in just a few small areas over the years. The mirror plate is almost certainly a replacement, but is still old in its own right and has been in situ for at least 100 years or more.

There are very few defects to speak of, just a couple of very insignificant, minor repairs and the fact it is missing some candle arms which would originally have been in place. However these have quite clearly been missing for a very long time as the gilding which covers the area they have been removed from has already aged nicely itself. 

Circa 1720.

Height 41.5in.
Width 24in. 
Depth 3in. 

This object is eligible for a Certificate of BADA Provenance

Stock number