Antique Italian Hand-Carved Giltwood Baroque Mirror

Antique Italian Hand-Carved Giltwood Baroque Mirror represents a revival of the style that emerged during the reign of the French King Louis XIV and is forever associated with his name.  In this expression, master Italian artisans have defined the genre, with boldly carved and styled shell and foliate motifs, sculpted to create a three dimensional naturalistic effect, only made more alluring by the patina of the gold finish, which is set off by recessed backgrounds of flat gray with a most subtle greenish tint.  Other subtle colors are used, in the flowers that cascade from the central focal piece on top, which also represents the Florentine fleur de lys.  With reference to the past, when mirror glass was very expensive and could not be produced in large panes that we enjoy today, the mirror appears to be segmented as it would have been during the early days of the Baroque period, fastened by elaborately designed brass pins.  The exquisite foliate work surrounds the entire frame, and culminates in the center of the bottom with another shell form in a crest configuration.
Circa mid-1900s
Measures 40H x 27W x 3D