Louis XVI Style Giltwood Mirror with Neo-Classical Carvings

A French Louis XVI style giltwood mirror, circa 1880, the…
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A French Louis XVI style giltwood mirror, circa 1880, the neo-classical carved frame bears a crest formed of a quiver of arrows crossed with a flambeau, being the twin symbols of Louis XVI, flanked by twin flower motifs. 181 x 104 cm. provenance: purchased from giltwood Antiques in May 2001

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  • Provenance - A term used to describe the provable history of an antique or work of art, and thus an additional aid to verifying its authenticity. Provenance can have an inflating effect on the price of an item, particularly if the provenance relates to the early settlement of Australia, a famous person, or royalty. Less significant are previous sales of the item through an auction house or dealer.
  • Giltwood - Giltwood is used to describe a gold finish on furniture and other decorative wooden items, whereby a thin sheet of gold metal, called gold leaf, is applied to the surface for decorative purposes.

    Unlike gilding, where the gold leaf is applied over a coating of gesso, with giltwood the gold leaf is applied direct to the surface, or over a coat of linseed oil gold leaf adhesive.

    Most gold-finished mirrors will be gilded, whereas furniture with gold highlights will have the gold applied through the giltwood method.
  • Circa - A Latin term meaning 'about', often used in the antique trade to give an approximate date for the piece, usually considered to be five years on either side of the circa year. Thus, circa 1900 means the piece was made about 1900, probably between 1895 and 1905. The expression is sometimes abbreviated to c.1900.
  • Flambeau - Flambeau translates from the French as "torch", being a flame torch, and is usually applied to a flame shaped finial or a light shade in the form of a flame. Sometimes a candelabra will have a detachable flambeau shaped finial that fits into the central candle nozzle.
  • Neo Classical - The period or style, known as "neo-classical", was based on Greek and Roman designs and motifs, and is usually associated with the influence of the four Adam brothers, but principally Robert Adam, the second oldest of the brothers, who were architects and designers, active in the latter half ot the 18th century (1760s to 1790s).

    Born in Scotland in 1728, Robert Adam spent time in Italy studying and his designs are influenced by the finds made during the excavation of Pompei.

    When he returned to England he became the Court Architect to George III (1738-1820).

    In turn, designs by Adam then influenced Hepplewhite.

    Neo-classical ornamentation is characterised by use of classical urns, palmettes, mythical creatures such as the sphinx and griffin, ram's heads, swags, scrolling foliage, and use of the Greek key pattern.

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