FRANCE PREMIÈRE MOITIÉ DU XIXe SIÈCLE

FRANCE PREMIÈRE MOITIÉ DU XIXe SIÈCLE
MARQUETRY MIRROR "BOULLE"
circa 1820/1840
Gilt bronze, copper, tinted horn and tortoise
shell H. 182,5 cm, L. 130 cm
This large rectangular mirror is a very beautiful example of the reminiscence of the superb work of André-Charles Boulle during the 19th century.
Made in return, this work reuses the technique developed by the master during the reign of Louis XIV using materials such as gilt bronze, red tortoiseshell, copper and tinted horn. This mirror is thus embellished with a very beautiful decoration of polychrome foliage and gilded bronze spandrels which find their inspiration in the repertoire of 17th century ornamentalists such as Claude I Bérain or Daniel Marot (?g.1).
The very beautiful quality of this mirror as well as its large dimensions suggest that it was a special commission to refurbish a large, perhaps royal, residence during the Restoration.
The Wallace Collection has a mirror of a similar workmanship to the one we present, executed in Boulle marquetry and dated 1820/1840 (?g.2). Automatically translated by DeepL. To see the original version, click here.