51/2006

Collection

Furniture

Brief description

Gilt carved wood and gesso pier glass surmounted by a vase, made in England, c.1790.

Object name

mirror
pier glass

Object number

51/2006

Location

On Display

Production organisation

Unknown (manufacturer)

Production date

c.1790 (manufactured)

Production place

England (manufactured)

Period

Georgian (1714-1837)

Material

glass
gesso
gilding
deal
iron
brass
gold

Technique

carved
gilded

Physical description

Rectangular, gilt frame with beaded ovolo moulded edge surmounted by a vase with a spray of wheat ears and husks/bell flowers flanked by a scrolling palm and flowerhead. The base with a tied foliage spray flanked by scrolling palm and flowerhead. The glass appears to be original. There is a thick mahogany board at the back.

The glass is slightly foxed all over with some spotting and losses to the left hand side. It also has a red oxide on the back. The back of the frame has screw holds in the upper portion of each side and a pair of holes on the lower end of each side of the frame. There are four holes to each side of the base of the frame which may have been used as for candle branches.

Content object

mirror

Dimensions

Height: 129cm
Width: 51.3cm

Website keywords

mirrors

Label

Label text for the exhibition At Home with the World, Geffrye Museum (20 March 2012- 9 September 2012):

Mirror

This is known as a ‘looking glass’ and its frame is decorated with gilded motifs like vases and ears of corn, typical of neoclassicism. It echoes the work of architects such as Robert Adam who had visited classical ruins and were inspired to create works of lightness and elegance.