Skip to main content
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 22

Ancient Italian Walnut Mirror, Venice, Circa 1750

About the Item

Carved, sculpted walnut mirror Venice, about mid-18th century It measures 53.93 x 33.46 in (137 x 85 cm); weight 30.86 lb (14 kg) State of conservation: slight gluing The walnut mirror has an elongated rectangular shape, crowned with a decorative three-lobed sculpted and carved molding. The frame encircles the mirror with a series of rabbet grooves. A rocaille carved molding is attached above, showing off its curved decorative elements. These descend along the sides of the mirror frame and are further enhanced with the presence of volutes "pennaccette", small leafy elements and minute buds. The mercury mirror is original. As a decorative element, mirrors represent a refined expression of the Rococo style in Venice around the middle of the XVIII century. During this period, decorated mirrors, previously used primarily as an accessory for the dressing table, began to become more important pieces of furniture in themselves. In fact, during the eighteenth century, the tradition of creating carved works developed such strong roots that inside the "marangoni (carpenters’) guild”, a particular branch of master carvers was born. These artisans were known as the "marangoni da soaza" and were specialized in the creation of wooden frames. At the same time, the workshops of artisans active in the art of "soaza" began to multiply: in fact, according to statistics issued in 1773 by the “Magistratura dei Savi della Mercanzia,” there were 36 specialized workshops with 94 mastercraftsmen, 124 workers and 24 boys. Their skill in sculpting is expressed not only in the creation of frames in the most varied and rich shapes, but in decorating them with carved wooden elements. Particular attention was paid to the sculpted moldings, which served as an indispensable crown for the upper part of the mirror. These ornate decorations demonstrated all the crafting skills and creative imagination which the Venetian masters could bring to bear with their full repertoire of leaves, shells, and festoons alternating with leaf scrolls. These framed the central cornice, creating the asymmetrical effect characteristic of the mid-eighteenth century. This work falls firmly in this taste: in the choice of its noble material and the refusal to use lacquer so as to create a particularly harmonious sculptural work. Bibliography: G. Mariacher, Specchiere italiane e cornici da specchio, dal XV al XIX secolo, Milano 1963, pp. 16-24; E. Colle, Il mobile barocco in Italia, Milano 2000, p. 332; C. Santini, Mille mobili veneti. L’arredo domestico in Veneto dal sec. XV al sec. XIX, III, Modena 2002.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 53.94 in (137 cm)Width: 33.47 in (85 cm)Depth: 2.76 in (7 cm)
  • Style:
    Rococo (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
    1750-1759
  • Date of Manufacture:
    circa 1750
  • Condition:
    Repaired: Slight gluing. Minor structural damages. Minor fading. Slight gluing.
  • Seller Location:
    Milano, IT
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU4352218268162
More From This SellerView All
  • Six Mid-18th Century Italian Chairs, Venice, circa 1750
    Located in Milano, IT
    Six carved walnut chairs Venice, mid-18th century Height 35.03 in (18.70 in to the seat) x 19.09 in x 18.30 in (89 cm - 47.5 cm to the seat - x 48.5 cm x 46.5 cm) lb 80 (kg 36) Stat...
    Category

    Antique 1750s Italian Rococo Dining Room Chairs

    Materials

    Walnut

  • Ancient Italian Pair of Armchairs in “Petit Point” Embroidery, Turin Circa 1750
    Located in Milano, IT
    Pair of carved walnut armchairs covered in “petit point” embroidery Turin, circa 1750 They measure 33.8 in (86 cm) in height; 17.32 in (44 cm) in height to the seat; 25.98 in (66 cm...
    Category

    Antique Mid-18th Century Italian Rococo Armchairs

    Materials

    Wool, Walnut

  • Italian Carved Walnut Chairs with Leather Covers, Milan, circa 1750
    Located in Milano, IT
    Four carved walnut chairs with leather covers Milan, circa 1750 They measure: 39.37” high, 18.30” to the seat, 21.65” deep x 19.29” (100 cm high, 46.5 cm to the seat, 55 cm deep x 49 cm) State of conservation: - the leather covers are not original; - some signs of use, especially on leather covers; - the rocailles at the height of the backrests have lost part of the carved elements. The four walnut chairs have a mixtilinear structure adorned with rocaille relief carvings; the legs are shaped and end with a curl. The backs and seats are padded and covered with impressed leather with figures and cartouche decorations from later production. Around the mid-eighteenth century in Milan it was very popular to cover seats with impressed leather. Mutton or cowhide was used which, suitably tanned, was then worked with heated irons (hot decoration) or with carved wooden molds (cold decoration). These were impressed on the leather until obtaining a darker brown color. Our group of chairs...
    Category

    Antique 1750s Italian Rococo Chairs

    Materials

    Walnut, Leather

  • Ancient Bureau Cabinet, Trumeau, Venice, Circa Mid-18th Century
    Located in Milano, IT
    Bureau cabinet (trumeau) Venice, circa mid-18th century Structure made of walnut and spruce wood veneered with walnut; the decoration on the top is made of carved and gilded wood. T...
    Category

    Antique 1750s Italian Rococo Cabinets

    Materials

    Nutwood

  • 18th Century Italian Maiolica Centerpiece Bassano Venice, circa 1750
    Located in Milano, IT
    Maiolica centerpiece Pasquale Antonibon factory Nove di Bassano, Venice, 1740-1770. Measures: 1.85 in x 19.21 in x 15.27 in 4.7 cm X 48.8 cm X 38.8 cm. lb 5.29 (kg 2.4) State of conservation: thin passing fêlure with covered chipping and a glued foot The Antonibon were an important family of Venetian...
    Category

    Antique 1750s Italian Baroque Ceramics

    Materials

    Maiolica

  • Ancient Pair of Italian Maiolica Dishes Milano, circa 1770
    By Felice Clerici
    Located in Milano, IT
    Two maiolica dishes, "Famille Rose" decoration Felice Clerici Factory Milan, 1770-1780 9.13 in (23.2 cm) each in diameter lb 1.32 (kg 0.6) State of conservation: perfect, except for...
    Category

    Antique 1770s Italian Rococo Ceramics

    Materials

    Maiolica

You May Also Like
  • Murano Glass Handheld Vanity Mirror, circa 1950s, Italy, Venetian Venice
    Located in Nuernberg, DE
    A gorgeous Murano glass vanity mirror surrounded with handmade clear glass flowers. Can be used as a handheld or a wall mirror. With minor signs of wear as expected with age and use....
    Category

    Vintage 1950s Italian Hollywood Regency Wall Mirrors

    Materials

    Wood, Murano Glass

  • George II Giltwood Mirror, circa 1750
    Located in Westwood, NJ
    Fine George II carved and pierced giltwood mirror.
    Category

    Antique 18th Century English Pier Mirrors and Console Mirrors

    Materials

    Wood

  • Pair of Venetian Carved and Giltwood Mirrors, Italy, circa 1750
    Located in Rome, IT
    Finely hand carved with rectangular mirrors decorated with acanthus leaf cartouch crest centered by a stylized shell ornamentation. Original gilding in a very good condition. Prove...
    Category

    Antique 1750s Italian Louis XV Wall Mirrors

    Materials

    Wood

  • Pair of Venetian Carved and Giltwood Mirrors, Italy, circa 1750
    Located in Rome, IT
    Finely hand carved with rectangular mirrors decorated with acanthus leaf cartouch crest centered by a stylized shell ornamentation. Original gilding in a very good condition. Prove...
    Category

    Antique 1750s Italian Louis XV Wall Mirrors

    Materials

    Wood

  • 18th Century Queen Anne Walnut and Giltwood Mirror, circa 1750
    Located in Nantucket, MA
    18th Century Queen Anne Walnut and Giltwood Mirror, circa 1750, an elegant period mirror having a broad crown with fluted border and slightly curved backwards, with applied carved an...
    Category

    Antique 1750s English Baroque Wall Mirrors

    Materials

    Walnut

  • Antique Italian Giltwood Mirror, Venice, 19th century
    Located in Dallas, TX
    Although Rococo originated in France in the 1730s, the style was pervasive, spreading throughout Central Europe. One area noted for exceptional Rococo creations was northern Italy, i...
    Category

    Antique 19th Century Italian Rococo Wall Mirrors

    Materials

    Glass, Mirror, Wood, Giltwood

Recently Viewed

View All