Doe and Hope

Description

The deep dished Regency period giltwood and gesso circular wall mirror having the original convex mirror plate with ebonised reeded mahogany slip, surrounded by a moulded gilt gesso frame with acanthus stiff leaf-work crestings with cabochons central to each, the whole with a good deal of character, patination and colour, surviving in very original condition from the first quarter of the nineteenth century.

The mirror is in very attractive, nigh-on totally original condition. The original plate glass has lovely consistent spotting and foxing to the whole. The gilding is original and shows rubbing showing the pink base bole underneath and there is a nice craquelure to the surface with some small losses throughout to the frame. The reverse shows the pine backing still remaining though the paper has been disturbed.

The convex shape was very popular in the Regency period and appeared in many forms, often with the addition of exotic animals, flora and other decoration. Dante Gabriel Rossetti had two convex mirrors rather like this example in his sitting room at 16 Cheyne Walk, London.

Regency, distilled.