MIRROR
carved, sculpted and gilt wood; original mirror pane
The mirror represents a refined example of 19th-century Venetian decorative production, characterized by a taste still strongly linked to the Baroque and Rococo tradition, which remained particularly long-lasting in Venice.
The frame is conceived in a vertical rectangular format and is entirely surrounded by an elaborate carved wooden decoration composed of volutes, acanthus leaves, and scrolling vegetal motifs that develop dynamically along the entire perimeter. These dense and lively plant elements create a striking interplay of solids and voids, producing a vibrant alternation of light and shadow across the gilded surface.
At the top, a majestic eagle with outstretched wings dominates the composition, an element that lends both vertical emphasis and solemnity to the overall design. Along the sides and uprights, the volutes intertwine elegantly, while in the lower section the decoration gathers into an elaborate central cartouche enriched with additional leaves and phytomorphic motifs.
The gilding, likely applied in gold leaf over a bole preparation, enhances the sculptural quality of the carving and contributes to the luminous effect typical of Venetian furnishings intended for formal reception rooms. The original internal mirror, rectangular in shape, is set within a simpler inner molding, providing a visual balance to the richness of the surrounding frame.
Venice, 19th century
170×108 cm; cm 87,5×68,6 internal measure
