Carved Italian Wall Mirror 18th Century

Name: An 18th Century Carved Italian Mirror
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1198897
Price: 2750 GBP
Availability: InStock

FURTHER BROWSING

Visitors also looked at these ⇣

Mirror Large Outstanding Italian Carved 18th Century Original Plate C1780

18th Century

19th Century Venetian Giltwood Mirror

19th Century

18th Century Italian Gilt Rococo Mirror of Cartouche Form

18th Century

Italian Large Gilt Rococo Mirror

19th Century

18th Century Painted and Gilt Italian Mirror

18th Century

Pair of Late C18th Italian Rococo Style Gilt-wood Framed Venetian Girandole Pier Mirrors.

18th Century

Italian 18th Cent Ornate Giltwood Antique Wall Mirror, 1790

18th Century

An Italian Venetian Painted Polychrome Mirror. Mid 19thc

19th Century

Antique Large C1920 Quality Giltwood Florentine Overmantle Wall Mirror – Gilt Statement Piece

1920

Antique Large 19th Century Fine Quality Gilt Florentine Overmantle Wall Mirror – Gilt Statement Piece

19th Century

Antique Italian Gilt Wood Mirror

1860

Large Late 19th Century Highly Decorative Superbly Carved Italian Giltwood Cushion Mirror, Probably Florentine

1880

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

ObjectWall Mirrors
Period18th century
StyleItalian Rococo
MaterialCarved Wood, Gesso, Glass
ColourOff-White
MotifsLyre crest, floral swags, lion mask, acanthus scrolls
SizeH 142 cm (56 in) x W 102 cm (40 in) x D 12 cm (5 in)

This 18th century Italian wall mirror exemplifies the Rococo style through its elaborate craftsmanship. The piece is constructed from deal with gesso and carved wood details, finished in an original distressed off-white paint with visible ageing. The decorative scheme includes a pronounced lyre crest motif, delicate floral swags and garlands along the sides, acanthus scrolls, and a detailed lion mask carved into the base below the rectangular glass plate. The frame features intricate relief carving and moulded borders framing the glass. Measuring 142 cm high, 102 cm wide, and 12 cm deep, it provides a substantial decorative focal point for interior settings. In a contemporary home, this wall mirror suits placement above a sideboard in a dining room, in a hallway, or over a mantelpiece in a living room. The off-white colour palette and distressed finish blend easily with neutral interiors while adding historic character. The combination of classical musical motifs and animal ornamentation offers visual interest from every angle. Hanging this antique piece instantly brings traditional European craftsmanship into domestic spaces.

FAQs

Eighteenth-century Italian Rococo mirrors are defined by asymmetrical carvings, scrolling acanthus leaves, architectural cresting, and classical motifs such as musical instruments or floral garlands. The frames were typically constructed from carved softwood and coated in gesso before being painted or gilded.

Frames were primarily sculpted from softwoods such as pine or lindenwood, covered with layers of gesso plaster, and finished with distemper paint or gold leaf. The reflective plates were made using mercury-amalgam glass silvering, which created a distinct soft depth.

Authentic period mirrors exhibit hand-carving marks on the rear frame, uneven joinery, and natural age-related distress or cracking in the gesso layer. The glass often shows light silvering deterioration, known as foxing, alongside irregular thickness from hand-blown manufacture.

Positioning an ornate carved mirror above a minimalist contemporary console table or mantelpiece creates a balanced visual contrast. The pale painted tones work effectively as a textural focal point against dark or neutral painted walls.

Dust the detailed carving gently with a soft dry brush to avoid chipping fragile gesso or paint. Avoid applying liquid cleaning agents, water, or commercial glass spray near the carved frame, as moisture can dissolve historic adhesives and paint finishes.

W.J. Gravener Antiques Ltd.

An 18th Century Carved Italian Mirror

Visitors also looked at these ⇣