Gilded Wood Girandole Mirror

Gilded Wood Convex or Girandole Mirror English or American, Circa 1790-1800.  Continuous round molding and contrasting dark rib surrounding the glass.  Ornaments of carved wood and gesso on the upper and lower crests, topped by an eagle holding a chain with gilded ball, said to represent chain shot used in naval battles to de-mast enemy ships.  This mirror retains much of its original gold leaf.  The giltwood details are particularly fine, and the eagle unusually well executed.  Minor imperfections to the glass.  Size:  38″ high x 24″ wide.

Girandole mirrors evolved from the Renaissance period and mid-18th C. French prototypes.  In England, this style of mirror can be noted in Ince and Mayhew’s Universal System (1759-1762).