VENICE, CIRCA 1730-40

This spectacular mirror, with its vigorous scrolls and elaborate military trophy cresting, exemplifies all the exuberance of Venetian rococo carving of the 1730's. A Venetian frame with related trophies, originally housing a portrait of Francisco III d'Este, Duke of Modena, is illustrated in E. Colle, Il Mobile Rococo in Italia, Milan, 2003, cat. 85, while a further mirror frame also lavishly carved with trophies and with the coat of arms of Contarini di S. Beneto, is illustrated in C. Alberici, Il Mobile Veneto, Milan, 1980, p. 269, fig. 413. A further related mirror frame, with picturesque and trophy carved surround, is in the Rosen Collection at Caramoor, Katonah, New York.