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Looking Glass

Decorative Arts and Design

On View: Luce Visible Storage and Study Center, 5th Floor
MEDIUM Mahogany, white pine, gilt
GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATIONS
DATES ca. 1785–1810
DIMENSIONS 58 x 23.75 x 7 in. (147.3 x 60.3 x 17.8 cm)  (show scale)
ACCESSION NUMBER 1997.150.24
CREDIT LINE Matthew Scott Sloan Collection, Gift of Lidie Lane Sloan McBurney
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Federal style looking glass. Rectangular, with pediment top and bottom. Swan-neck pediment with S-curves terminating in rosettes and surmounted by a central gilded urn with projecting lilies and leaves. There is an inlaid marquetry shell decoration below the urn. Three inlaid marquetry sections of light and dark wood strips are placed at regular distances from each other. Below that, an inlaid marquetry arrow stringing pattern runs across the top. A band of dark wood outlines the entire mirror. Gilded foliage runs down the sides of the piece and is attached by a wire. The attached base is carved in symmetrical, curving scroll patterns. Glass replaced in 1913. CONDITION: The object is in good condition, but the gilt elements are slightly unstable. The proper left flower in the urn is missing petals. The carved trim has been broken and repaired. The veneer is splitting away from the substrate in areas.
MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Luce Visible Storage and Study Center, 5th Floor
CAPTION Looking Glass, ca. 1785–1810. Mahogany, white pine, gilt, 58 x 23.75 x 7 in. (147.3 x 60.3 x 17.8 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Matthew Scott Sloan Collection, Gift of Lidie Lane Sloan McBurney, 1997.150.24. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1997.150.24_transp697.jpg)
IMAGE overall, 1997.150.24_transp697.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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