FEDERAL GILTWOOD LOOKING GLASS
Probably Continental for the American market
Gilt and gesso on wire and wood
Circa 1800
24” x 55 ½” overall 19 ¼” x 32 ¼” rectangular frame
Commentary: The design of this pier looking glass was derived from Hepplewhite’s Cabinet-Maker and Upholsterer’s Guide published in 1788 which drew heavily on Robert Adam’s work for its classical inspiration. As Hepplewhite notes under Pier Glasses, “For Glasses, a great variety of patterns may be invented. The frames to Glasses are almost invariably of good carved work, gilt and burnished. Six designs for square glasses are here shewn, which is the shape most in fashion at this time.” The vast majority of glasses and frames of this size were made in England or on the Continent to be exported to the American market. They were frequently sold in urban centers on the east coast with the labels of the retailers who imported and marketed the pieces. Several reasons have been put forward for the lack of looking glass production in the colonies and Federal America. Most compelling is the acknowledged difficulty associated with production of glass of a quality and size of plate, either blow or poured, suitable for looking glasses that was not overcome in America until the second quarter of the nineteenth century.
Condition: The frame was conserved in 2010 by Charles Rhodes in his Alexandria studio. Elements of the lower portion of the finial at the frame dating to an earlier repair were removed and hand carved replacements re-fitted as necessary. The armatures were properly secured and several small areas of decoration re-glued. Areas of bronze pigment were removed from the frame and small areas of lost gesso filled. Areas of repair were toned to match the original surface and the frame finished with a light wax coating. The glass is old but probably not original.
PRICE: sold.
