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Lot Essay
Exhibiting refined proportions and delicate, almost feminine ornamentation, this mirror aptly demonstrates the design principles of the Federal period. The gilt elements in the cornice set off the landscape scene depicted in the églomisé panel. Created by decorating the reverse of a glass panel with painted and gilt embellishment, églomisé panels were a favored ornamentation in New York during the Federal period and often depicted landscape scenes. This mirror belongs to a small group of nearly two dozen related mirrors, all with églomisé panels, pillar and spherule ornamentation and flat cornices embellished with leafy urns with large ears have Albany histories and are frequently referred to as "Albany mirrors." A very closely related example (fig. 1) is illustrated in Montgomery, American Furniture, the Federal Period (New York, 1966) pp. 277-78). For other related mirrors from this group see V. Isabelle Miller, Furniture by New York Cabinetmakers (Museum of the City of New York, 1957), fig. 93; Dean A. Fales, Jr., American Painted Furniture 1660-1880 (New York, 1972), fig. 203.
As Charles Montgomery notes in American Furniture: The Federal Period, looking glasses of this form were critical in the life of a woman in the late eighteenth century, citing a letter written by Abigail Adams dated June 9, 1970: "I must request the favour of my good Brother Cranch to get me a case made for my large looking glass, and to be so good as to pack it for me & send it by Barnard The Glass I do not know how to do without.." (Montgomery, p. 277).
As Charles Montgomery notes in American Furniture: The Federal Period, looking glasses of this form were critical in the life of a woman in the late eighteenth century, citing a letter written by Abigail Adams dated June 9, 1970: "I must request the favour of my good Brother Cranch to get me a case made for my large looking glass, and to be so good as to pack it for me & send it by Barnard The Glass I do not know how to do without.." (Montgomery, p. 277).