Medium: Ebonized wood (cherry?), gilt decoration, mirrored glass
Geograhical Locations:
Dates:ca. 1870
Dimensions: 98 x 53 x 12 3/4 in. (248.9 x 134.6 x 32.4 cm)
Collections:
Accession Number: 84.182
Image: 84.182_view1_bw.jpg,
Catalogue Description: Looking glass, ebonized wood and glass. Beveled mirror sits on molded base, which is raised on two wooden blocks. Base is decorated with incised gilded lines of stylized floral motifs. This incised decoration is interrupted in center indicating missing applied ornament. The base forms a low shelf on which mirror and mirror frame sit. Molded concave frame has rounded corners at top. On outer edge of frame, each side, lower part, are two finely carved griffins resting on pedestals, gilt incised ornament on pedestals and waistbands. Above the griffins is an area of intricately scrolling foliage and above that, stalks of cattails. At the upper edges of the frame, finely carved owls sit on foliage brackets with pendant husks below. The owls support the ends of a scrolling cornice/pediment. The scrolling pediment is decorated with gilt incised stylized ornament and above each outer end is a curved acanthus "acroterion" with central cabochon boss. The open pediment scrolls upward and inward at center around the applied boss, acanthus carving at top of scroll. Between the two sides of the pediment is the medallion, which forms the central portion of he crest. This medallion comprises a cabochon boss with gilt incised ornament, and beaded frame surrounded by an acanthus cartouche, which becomes lion's feet at the bottom (scrolling foliage between the feet) and is topped by a carved anthemion. Below the pediment to either side of central medallion is stylized, gilt incised floral decoration. CONDITION: Generally good, normal wear and scratches to surface, especially at base. Veneer somewhat buckled in horizontal lines around crest. Elements of carved ornament chipped off and missing in the following locations: Tip of cattails, lower left side of mirror, tip of griffin’s tongue, lower right side of mirror, tip of acanthus scroll, upper right side of crest, boss is missing, right side of acanthus scroll at upper left side of crest; chip to corner of molding below acanthus scroll, left side of crest; molding missing just below griffins' feet on both sides, lower molding below this missing on right side. Ornament probably missing, center of base. Saw marks indicate possible alteration behind center crest. Crack in foliage scroll above griffin on left side.