wall mirror
Object NameTwo Mirrors Engraved with Figures from the Commedia dell’Arte
Made FromMercury-Tin Amalgam Mirror, Wood, Gilding
Dateabout 1740
Place MadeItaly, Venice
TechniqueEngraved, carved, gilded, assembled
SizeSee Individual Records
Accession Number2018.3.3
Curatorial Area(s)
Not On View
Physical DescriptionTwo Mirrors Engraved with Figures from the Commedia dell’Arte. Mercury-tin amalga mirror glass, engraved, framed in carved and gilded wood, assembled. A pair of Venetian Rococo engraved mirrors in carved giltwood frames, each with its original mirrored glass. Each central glass is engraved with a floral border surmounted by a ribbon-tied lambrequin canopy, one plate centered below by a female figure, almost certainly Columbina, holding a bunch of flowers in her right hand and standing on a foliate and beaded dais. The other mirror is centered by the figure of a man, almost certainly Pierrot, holding flowers in his left hand and standing on a dais. Each mirror is set within an elaborately carved Rococo frame, with inner shaped mirrored slips, surmounted by a scalloped cartouche and flanked below by a pair of semi-nude female figures. The frames are ornamented overall with floral and foliate carving. At the base of each is a distinctive mask head boss, possibly once intended to receive the metal arm of a candle holder.Provenance
Source
Richard Redding Antiques Ltd
- 2017-2018-04-30
Swiss collector, acquired in mid 1990s from Michel Marguet at the Antiques and Art Fair, Lausanne; acquired from the above by the current owner, Richard Redding Antiques Ltd, in 2017.
Swiss collector, acquired in mid 1990s from Michel Marguet at the Antiques and Art Fair, Lausanne; acquired from the above by the current owner, Richard Redding Antiques Ltd, in 2017.
Former Collection
Michel Marguet
- 2017
Swiss collector, acquired in mid 1990s from Michel Marguet at the Antiques and Art Fair, Lausanne; acquired from the above by the current owner, Richard Redding Antiques Ltd, in 2017.
Swiss collector, acquired in mid 1990s from Michel Marguet at the Antiques and Art Fair, Lausanne; acquired from the above by the current owner, Richard Redding Antiques Ltd, in 2017.
Former Collection
Maison Grosvallet
(f. 1927)
Both mirrors bear a label on the reverse: "E. Grosvallet, Cadres Ancien, Paris, 126 Bould Haussmann". Maison Grosvallet was founded in 1927 by Edouard Grosvallet (1892-1984) and continued in business until the early 2000's. As one of France's most prominent dealers, some of the world's most celebrated masterpieces were handled by the house, including Vermeer's The Girl with the Pearl Earring (Mauritshuis), Van Gogh's portrait of Dr. Gachet (Musee d'Orsay), Velasquez's Democritus (the Museum of Rauen). Grosvallet also specialized in historic frames.
Both mirrors bear a label on the reverse: "E. Grosvallet, Cadres Ancien, Paris, 126 Bould Haussmann". Maison Grosvallet was founded in 1927 by Edouard Grosvallet (1892-1984) and continued in business until the early 2000's. As one of France's most prominent dealers, some of the world's most celebrated masterpieces were handled by the house, including Vermeer's The Girl with the Pearl Earring (Mauritshuis), Van Gogh's portrait of Dr. Gachet (Musee d'Orsay), Velasquez's Democritus (the Museum of Rauen). Grosvallet also specialized in historic frames.
about 1740
about 1740
about 1680
about 1750-1800
