George II Giltwood Overmantel Mirror

Commanding in size and artistry, this George II-period giltwood overmantel mirror is a rarity of Georgian design. Exhibiting the innovative ideals of legendary English cabinetmaker Thomas Chippendale, the monumental piece is a tour-de-force of the Rococo style, encased by gracefully executed motifs such as flames and florals to stunning effect.

Surmounting the mirror is a high detail, later 19th-century capriccio, or architectural fantasy scene, in the manner of Italian painter and architect Giovanni Polo Pannini. Executed in oils, the scene is an ode to classical antiquity, with fragments of ancient temples and ruins scattered throughout the landscape. The acanthus-edged giltwood frame beautifully complements the rich color of the scene.

Circa 1755

52" high x 57" wide