DAUPHINÉ ÉPOQUE LOUIS XIV

DAUPHINÉ ÉPOQUE LOUIS XIV
MARKED MIRROR Native veneer and blackened wood
H. 97,5 cm, W. 87 cm
This elegant rectangular mirror has a fine inlaid decoration. A first frame presents a fine frieze of water leaves, acanthus and plant motifs, flanked by molded blackened wood moldings.
A second frame features a more sumptuous ornamentation with geometrical reserves containing floral bouquets tied with ribbons.
The corners are adorned with scrolled reserves and stylised vegetal motifs. The whole is surrounded by molded blackened wood moldings.
This type of mirror appeared around 1680-1690 with the prohibition of Protestant worship and the revocation of the Edict of Nantes (1685). We know from oral tradition and some writings that the back of these mirrors was used to conceal a Bible.
The exclusive use of indigenous wood is a Huguenot peculiarity, both for the furniture and the mirrors. The wood was stained black to imitate ebony, burnt to obtain shadows, reddened to imitate mahogany... A lot of burr and burl were used and gave remarkable effects.
This type of production can be found in Switzerland and Holland, many craftsmen having gone into exile during the persecutions. But it is in Languedoc and Dauphiné that this production is the most widespread.
The geometrical (fig. 1) and decorative (fig. 2) construction of our mirror is reminiscent of the marquetry work of the Grenoble dynasty of cabinet-makers from Les Hache, notably Thomas (1664-1747). While such an attribution might be possible, one should nevertheless remain cautious, as these friezes from the productions of Pierre Gole (1620-1684) inspired several other cabinetmakers, including François Mondon (1694-1770) and a whole series of followers of the Les Hache workshop.
The attribution to the Dauphiné rather than to the Languedoc workshops lies in the nature of the much less charged decoration and in the choice of woods offering a more pronounced contrast. This principle of sobriety and luminosity of Alpine burls will remain the hallmark of 18th century Grenoble cabinetmaking. Automatically translated by DeepL. To see the original version, click here.