Lot 309
309
Property of a CALIFORNIA COLLECTOR
AN ITALIAN BAROQUE GILTWOOD MIRROR

Details
AN ITALIAN BAROQUE GILTWOOD MIRROR
CIRCA 1740, PROBABLY PIEDMONTESE

With arched rectangular plate surmounted by an acanthus scroll cresting inset with mirrored panels flanked by rampant lions, and centering a lion's mask, the scrolling sides carved with dragons and the figure of a classically draped maiden, possibly Daphne, and a blackamoor, their arms turning into acanthus leaves, above trailing foliage and a pair of confronting dragons, the apron carved with C-scrolls flanking the figure of Plenty with a flower-filled cornucopia and a lion (re-gilt)--90in. x 52in. (229cm. x 132cm.)

Lot Essay

Certain distinct ornamental elements found on the frame of this impressive mirror, most notably the bold confronting dragons at the base, relate to designs for a mirror cresting by Jean-Bernard-Honoré Tureau, called Toro (1661-1735), in his Dessins arabesques à plusieurs usages, 1716. A mirror of similar overall design, also carved with closely related dragons, is in the Palazzo Pitti, illustrated in E. Colle, I Mobile di Palazzo Pitti, 1992, p.148. Another related mirror in a private collection in Villa Perosa is illustrated in V. Viale ed., Mostra del Barocco Piemontese, 1963, pl. 258.