A CLASSICAL GOLD AND SILVER PARCEL-GILT CARVED DOLPHIN LOOKING GLASS NEW YORK, 1835-1845

Details

A CLASSICAL GOLD AND SILVER PARCEL-GILT CARVED DOLPHIN LOOKING GLASS NEW YORK, 1835-1845

The oval frame encircled with carved dolphins, with articulated verde scales and gilt cornucopia scrolled tails, the heads silver and gold gilt with open, toothed mouths and silver gilt waterfalls cascading forward, a pair of gilt swans with silver gilt heads and legs swimming on a rippled gilt lake between the dolphin's tails, appears to retain original glass and period gilt surfaces--35in. high, 31in. wide

Provenance

Sotheby's, New York, late 1970's

Lot Essay

This mirror combines elements that were among the most popular motifs in classical design. The swan was the personal emblem of the Empress Josephine and hence was integrated into the fold of early nineteenth century decorative arts. In mythology, both the swan and the dolphine are associated with Venus and love; swans pulled the chariot of Venus and the dolphin represented the sea from which Venus was born. Dolphins often appear on mirrors, usually not as elaborate as this example, in conjunction with other mythological creatures. Dolphins were also integrated into Regency design because of their connection with Lord Admiral Nelson and his great successes at sea (see Cooper, Classical Taste in America (New York, 1993), pp. 144-152).