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ID #SA1131820
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£1,475
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Outstanding Large 18th Century Pier Glass Mirror French Directoire
Rams Head Antiques
for sale €1,726     $1,873
£1,475
Rams Head Antiques

Rams Head Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Sep 2014
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Id #SA1131820
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Outstanding Large 18th Century Pier Glass Mirror French Directoire

19th century
Description

This is a stunning 18th century French pier glass mirror in exceptional original condition dating from the Directoire period, circa 1795. The fine hand carved giltwood mirror retains its original water gilding which is in the most beautiful condition with a wonderful colour and patina. The impressive lyre design crest is surmounted by a fine Romanesque laurel leaf above, with scrolling acanthus and trailing harebells to the outer edge of the upper frame. The mirror has elegant tulip feet that are beneath rose cartouche and the frame has a finely detailed trailing vine design. This surrounds the central plate which is the original mercury glass in excellent clean condition.

Directoire style was a period in the decorative arts, fashion, and especially furniture design in France concurrent with the Directory (November 2, 1795–November 10, 1799), the later part of the French Revolution. The style uses Neoclassical architectural forms, planar expanses of highly grained veneers, and applied decorative painting. It is a style transitional between Louis XVI and Empire.

This is the finest, example I have seen from this period and is an imposing size measuring 140 cms high overall by 88 cms wide and 7 cms deep.

UK delivery can be arranged with our trusted furniture courier and costs £60 plus vat to most areas.

Physical Dimensions
Height
140cm (55.12")
Width
88cm (34.65")
Depth
7cm (2.76")
Declaration

Rams Head Antiques has dated this Giltwood Pier Glass Mirror to the 1800s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1131820
Dealers Notes

Rams Head Antiques is a family business based in Wolsingham in Weardale where we have had shop premises for 28 years. The shop is generally open every Saturday from 11 am till 3 pm.

You are most welcome to visit the shop but please always check to confirm we are open before travelling. We have been in the antiques trade for well over thirty years now and stock a wide and varied range of antiques and decorative items specialising in carpets and Eastern and Oriental items as well as Georgian and Victorian furniture, mirrors, oil paintings, prints, ceramics and clocks.

We can arrange worldwide delivery on all the items we have in stock, please ask for an accurate quote.

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We offer a full money back guarantee if you are not happy for whatever reason within a seven day period as long as the buyer pays for transportation costs.

Description
This is a stunning 18th century French pier glass mirror in exceptional original condition dating from the Directoire period, circa 1795.
The fine hand carved giltwood mirror retains its original water gilding which is in the most beautiful condition with a wonderful colour and patina.
Rams Head Antiques

The impressive lyre design crest is surmounted by a fine Romanesque laurel leaf above, with scrolling acanthus and trailing harebells to the outer edge of the upper frame. The mirror has elegant tulip feet that are beneath rose cartouche and the frame has a finely detailed trailing vine design. This surrounds the central plate which is the original mercury glass in excellent clean condition.

fig 1. An 18th-century French Directoire giltwood pier glass mirror featuring a carved lyre cresting flanked by foliate scrolls.
fig 1. Outstanding Large 18th Century Pier Glass Mirror French Directoire

Directoire style was a period in the decorative arts, fashion, and especially furniture design in France concurrent with the Directory (November 2, 1795–November 10, 1799), the later part of the French Revolution. The style uses Neoclassical architectural forms, planar expanses of highly grained veneers, and applied decorative painting. It is a style transitional between Louis XVI and Empire.

fig 2. An 18th-century French Directoire giltwood pier glass mirror featuring a carved lyre cresting flanked by foliate scrolls.
fig 2. Outstanding Large 18th Century Pier Glass Mirror French Directoire

This is the finest, example I have seen from this period and is an imposing size measuring 140 cms high overall by 88 cms wide and 7 cms deep.

UK delivery can be arranged with our trusted furniture courier and costs £60 plus vat to most areas.

Height
140cm (55.12")
Width
88cm (34.65")
Depth
7cm (2.76")
Date of Manufacture

Rams Head Antiques has dated this Giltwood Pier Glass Mirror to the 1800s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1131820
Rams Head Antiques
Rams Head Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Sep 2014
Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Rams Head Antiques Profile Page

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An 18th-century French Directoire giltwood pier glass mirror featuring a carved lyre cresting flanked by foliate scrolls.
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Archive I An 18th-century French Directoire giltwood pier glass mirror featuring a carved lyre cresting flanked by foliate scrolls.

Outstanding Large 18th Century Pier Glass Mirror French Directoire

Archive II An 18th-century French Directoire giltwood pier glass mirror featuring a carved lyre cresting flanked by foliate scrolls. View II
Archive III An 18th-century French Directoire giltwood pier glass mirror featuring a carved lyre cresting flanked by foliate scrolls. View III
Archive IV An 18th-century French Directoire giltwood pier glass mirror featuring a carved lyre cresting flanked by foliate scrolls. View IV
Archive V An 18th-century French Directoire giltwood pier glass mirror featuring a carved lyre cresting flanked by foliate scrolls. View V
Archive VI An 18th-century French Directoire giltwood pier glass mirror featuring a carved lyre cresting flanked by foliate scrolls. View VI
Archive VII An 18th-century French Directoire giltwood pier glass mirror featuring a carved lyre cresting flanked by foliate scrolls. View VII
Archive VIII An 18th-century French Directoire giltwood pier glass mirror featuring a carved lyre cresting flanked by foliate scrolls. View VIII
Archive IX An 18th-century French Directoire giltwood pier glass mirror featuring a carved lyre cresting flanked by foliate scrolls. View IX
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Location
Wolsingham
Weardale
Durham
United Kingdom
Verified Since Sep 2014
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Items Sold 4,206
Rams Head Antiques
Rams Head Antiques
Verified Since Sep 2014
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Location: Wolsingham, Weardale, Durham, United Kingdom
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An 18th-century French Directoire giltwood pier glass mirror featuring a carved lyre cresting flanked by foliate scrolls.
Outstanding Large 18th Century Pier Glass Mirror French Directoire
Ref: SA1131820
An 18th-century French Directoire giltwood pier glass mirror featuring a carved lyre cresting flanked by foliate scrolls.
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Every single antique dealer on our platform is individually approved by our internal team. We verify their professional trade history, ethical standards, and photographic quality to ensure a secure, high-standard buying environment. Upon joining, every dealer agrees to a strict 9-point code of conduct. While issues can occasionally arise, our dealers typically resolve them swiftly and directly with the buyer. In fact, since our founding in 2002, Sellingantiques has only had to step in to help resolve an issue on roughly five occasions—a true testament to the quality of our dealers and their dedication to your happiness.
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Antiques are the ultimate green purchase. By choosing historical pieces over newly manufactured goods, you completely eliminate the carbon footprint of modern mass production while preserving exceptional, timeless craftsmanship.

Originating during the French Directoire period in the late 18th century, a pier glass mirror is a tall, narrow mirror designed to hang on the pier, which is the wall space between two windows. These mirrors enhanced interior illumination by reflecting light, frequently featuring motifs such as lyres, laurel wreaths, and neoclassical scrolls.

18th-century giltwood frames were constructed from carved softwoods, such as pine or lime, coated with layers of gesso, and finished using water gilding with gold leaf over a red or yellow clay bole base. The reflective plates were made of glass coated with a tin and mercury amalgam.

Authentic Directoire mirrors display hand-carved wood construction on the reverse, secured with wooden pegs and protected by rough, hand-sawn backboards. Look for gentle wear to the gold leaf revealing the clay bole underneath, natural oxidisation or foxing on the mirror plate, and symmetrical Neoclassical motifs.

A giltwood pier mirror functions as an architectural anchor when hung in an entrance hall, on a narrow feature wall, or positioned above a console table. Positioning the mirror opposite a window maximises natural light distribution while providing textural contrast against modern minimalist furnishings.

Giltwood finishes are sensitive to moisture and should only be dusted gently with a dry, soft camel-hair brush or feather duster. Chemical cleaners, water, and commercial polishes must be avoided as liquid dissolves water gilding and damages the underlying gesso layer.
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