Giltwood Overmantel Mirror 19th Century

Name: A Delightful Large Antique English 19th Century Carved Wood & Gesso Gilt Ornate Frame Overmantle Mirror.
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1181919
Price: 1295 GBP
Availability: InStock

FURTHER BROWSING

Visitors also looked at these ⇣

A Fabulous Large Antique English 19th Century Arched Top Carved Wood & Gesso Gilt Ribbed Overmantle Mirror.

1860

Victoran Gilt Arch Top Overmantle Mirror

1870

A Superb Large Antique English 19th Century Carved Wood & Gesso Arched Top Gilt Overmantle Mirror.

1870

Victorian Overmantle Mirror

Victorian

Large Antique Gilt Overmantle Mirror C1870

1870

An Exceptional Large Antique English 19th Century Carved Wood & Gesso Gilt Ornate Framed Overmantle Mirror,

1870

A Fabulous Large Early Antique English 19th Century Carved Wood & Gesso Arched Top Gilt Overmantle Mirror,

1850

A Stunning Large Antique English 19th Century Carved Wood & Gesso Gilt Rope Twist Framed Overmantle Mirror.

1860

Victorian Giltwood Overmantel Mirror with Original Foxed Glass, H83cm

19th Century

An Exceptional Large Antique English 19thc Gilt Hour Glass Ribbed Framed Overmantle Mirror.

1870

A Delightful Large Antique English 19th Century Carved Wood and Gesso Gilt Overmantle Mirror.

1870

A Wonderful Large Antique English 19th Century Carved Wood & Gesso Arched Top Gilt Overmantle Mirror.

1860

Cleall Antiques

Telephone 07831 869 955

Location

Blakedene
Lyminster Road
Lyminster
Nr Arundel
West Sussex
BN17 7QF
United Kingdom

Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/cleall

Verified Since Jun 2011

Items For Sale 193

Items Sold 3,571

Email Cleall Antiques

A large horizontal 19th-century overmantel mirror featuring a gilded wood and gesso frame with ornate carved acanthus leaf motifs.

A Delightful large Antique English 19th Century carved wood & gesso gilt ornate frame Overmantle Mirror.

Ref: SA1181919

Your Name

Phone Number

Email Address

Message

Strictly Vetted Dealers

Secure Transit

Cataloguer’s Note

Sustainable Choice

Frequently Asked Questions

Strictly Vetted Dealers

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.

Secure Transit

Our dealers are highly experienced in packing and shipping fragile, high-value antiques. Because you are in direct contact with the dealer, you will be able to easily go through all available shipping and insurance options together to ensure your item arrives safely.

The Sustainable Choice

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.

Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing

ObjectOvermantel Mirrors
Period19th century
StyleVictorian
MaterialGiltwood, Gesso, Glass, Wood
ColourGold
MotifsAcanthus leaf moulding, Shell cresting, Arched inner frame
SizeH 77 cm (30 in) x W 153 cm (60 in) x D 6 cm (2 in)

A Victorian overmantel mirror exemplifies 19th-century English country house style, constructed from carved wood and gesso with a gold gilt finish and original distressed glass alongside backboards. The horizontal rectangular frame displays pronounced decorative motifs including acanthus leaf moulding along the arched inner edge, prominent shell cresting at the top centre and bottom centre, and detailed corner carvings. Signs of age appear as scattered weathering and spotting across the reflective glass surface and wear to the gilded coating. Measuring 77 cm high, 153 cm wide, and 6 cm deep, this substantial piece occupies a commanding presence. In a contemporary interior, the mirror suits placement above the mantel in a principal living room, dining space, or hallway, reflecting natural light and expanding the visual depth of the surrounding area.

FAQs

During the 19th century, overmantel mirrors were designed as architectural focal points positioned above fireplace hearths to reflect light and expand the visual scale of formal reception rooms.

These mirror frames were typically constructed from softwood covered with gesso, a plaster-like mixture, which was sculpted and finished with gold leaf gilding over silvered glass.

Authentic period frames exhibit natural wear, such as fine craquelure cracking in the gesso layer, minor rubbing exposing the red bole underneath the gold leaf, and foxing on the original glass.

Designers mount overmantel mirrors above fireplaces or grand console tables, pairing the detailed frame with simplified modern furnishings to create a balanced visual focal point.

Dust giltwood frames gently using a soft, dry camel-hair brush, avoiding water or chemical cleaners that can dissolve original water-gilding and deteriorate delicate gesso details.

Cleall Antiques

A Delightful Large Antique English 19th Century Carved Wood & Gesso Gilt Ornate Frame Overmantle Mirror.

Visitors also looked at these ⇣