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ID #SA1205205
FOR SALE
£2,250
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Large Late C18th French Gilt-wood Framed Mirror .
For sale by M Lees and Sons
for sale €2,633     $2,858
£2,250
M Lees and Sons

M Lees and Sons

Sellingantiques Verified Since Feb 2013
Browse dealers 370 items
  • About Us
    M.lees & sons , 'tower house' , severn st., worcester wr12nb tel . 07860826218
  • Trade Associations
    M Lees and Sons is a registered member of LAPADA  CINOA
Id #SA1205205
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Large Late C18th French Gilt-wood Framed Mirror .

18th century
For Sale by M Lees and Sons
Description

Large late C18th French gilt-wood framed mirror.

Carved gilt-wood frame French ‘marriage’ mirror with the original twin ‘split’ mercury silvered plates . The top with a carved detail crested surmount featuring a basket of fruit and flowers together with leaf wreath surround. The sides with carved tassel details, the base having further carved detail. The interior of the frame with beaded carved decoration around the mirror plates.

In excellent original condition, the original gilded surface having achieved a mellow patina with some areas of atmospheric wear showing through to the red ‘bole’ or gesso ground beneath. The original twin mirror plates with some atmospheric degradation and foxing to the mercury silvering .

The verso fitted with the original panelled backboards.

A highly decorative mirror of good , large scale and proportions.

*NB ‘Marriage’ mirrors of this type were produced in France during the late C18th to celebrate a marriage and union of two families, and were given as symbolic gifts to bestow good luck and prosperity upon the newly-weds.

H 62”

W 26”

D 4”

France c.1790

Date of Manufacture

M Lees and Sons has dated this Antique French Giltwood Mirror to the 18th Century.

Independent Date Guide ID 09436435
Dealer's Item Date18th Century
Sellingantiques Date18th Century
Sellingantiques agingItem 225-255 years old
ResultsDates match
Why Sellingantiques dated this piece to THE 18TH CENTURY:
Divided two-part mirror glass: standard practice before large single sheets became affordable.
Deep chisel cuts in the timber cresting: hand carving rather than moulded plaster.
Gilding rubbed down to red bole on high points: natural wear from gentle dusting.
Panelling with wide softwood boards on the reverse: early framemaker's joinery.
Gaping at the upper mitres: timber shrinkage across the joints over two centuries.

This Independent Date Guide was compiled by Sellingantiques using its own proprietary system. It works only from the photographs shown on this page and is never told the date the dealer has declared. It is a guide, not a guarantee of age, and occasional errors can occur.

Physical Dimensions
Height
155cm (61.02")
Width
65cm (25.59")
Depth
10cm (3.94")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1205205
Dealers Internal Reference
ML 263
Dealers Notes

Established in the Cathedral City of Worcester for over 40 years ,M.Lees&Sons , run by Michael Lees ,have been dealing with public and trade from show-rooms in an early Georgian town-house. We aim to provide a straight-forward approach to our business and build lasting relationships with our customers. As members of the 'London and Provincial Antique Dealers Association' , we provide full descriptive details , date ,authenticity and any available provenance ,with full disclosure of any restoration or repair which may have taken place .

Whether buying for pleasure , decoration or investment, we welcome you to our web-site or premises .

Past projects have included advising clients on forming and disposing of collections , furnishing period properties , hotel and commercial projects , also a shoot-room and lodge .

All goods are available to view and owned by M.Lees & Sons .

If visiting, a telephone call prior is advisable as due to the demands of the business the show-room does not have regular hours . Please feel free to contact us if we can be of assistance . Our inventory on the website Selling Antiques .co.uk showcases our range of stock, whilst more items are available to view on our website. Please visit us on:

www.leesantiquesworcester.com.

Tel. 01905 26620 / 07860826218

Located in the centre of Worcester in the shadow of the Cathedral with easy parking nearby. Exit Junction 7 M5 and follow the signs for Worcester Porcelain Museum . Our premises are located 100 metres from the Museum and 50 metres from Pay&Display car-park in nearby King St.

Description
Large late C18th French gilt-wood framed mirror.
“
Carved gilt-wood frame French ‘marriage’ mirror with the original twin ‘split’ mercury silvered plates.
M Lees and Sons

. The top with a carved detail crested surmount featuring a basket of fruit and flowers together with leaf wreath surround. The sides with carved tassel details, the base having further carved detail. The interior of the frame with beaded carved decoration around the mirror plates.

fig 1. A large late eighteenth-century French giltwood wall mirror featuring a carved fruit basket pediment, floral foliage, and a rectangular beaded frame.
fig 1. Large Late C18th French Gilt-wood Framed Mirror .

In excellent original condition, the original gilded surface having achieved a mellow patina with some areas of atmospheric wear showing through to the red ‘bole’ or gesso ground beneath. The original twin mirror plates with some atmospheric degradation and foxing to the mercury silvering .

fig 2. A large late eighteenth-century French giltwood wall mirror featuring a carved fruit basket pediment, floral foliage, and a rectangular beaded frame.
fig 2. Large Late C18th French Gilt-wood Framed Mirror .

The verso fitted with the original panelled backboards.

A highly decorative mirror of good , large scale and proportions.

NB ‘Marriage’ mirrors of this type were produced in France during the late C18th to celebrate a marriage and union of two families, and were given as symbolic gifts to bestow good luck and prosperity upon the newly-weds.

H 62”

W 26”

D 4”

France c.1790

Date of Manufacture

M Lees and Sons has dated this Antique French Giltwood Mirror to the 18th Century.

Independent Date Report ID 09436435
Dealer's Item Date18th Century
Sellingantiques dating18th Century
Sellingantiques agingItem 225-255 years old
ResultsDates match
Why Sellingantiques dated this piece to the 18th Century:
Divided two-part mirror glass: standard practice before large single sheets became affordable.
Deep chisel cuts in the timber cresting: hand carving rather than moulded plaster.
Gilding rubbed down to red bole on high points: natural wear from gentle dusting.
Panelling with wide softwood boards on the reverse: early framemaker's joinery.
Gaping at the upper mitres: timber shrinkage across the joints over two centuries.

This is an independent date report produced by Sellingantiques using its own proprietary system. The process uses the photographs shown on this page. The system is never told the date the dealer has declared. This report shows that the two dates corroborate.

Height
155cm (61.02")
Width
65cm (25.59")
Depth
10cm (3.94")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1205205
Dealers Internal Ref
ML 263
M Lees and Sons
M Lees and Sons
Sellingantiques verified Since Feb 2013

M.lees & sons , 'tower house' , severn st., worcester wr12nb tel . 07860826218

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the M Lees and Sons Profile Page

Trade Associations

M Lees and Sons is a registered member of LAPADA  CINOA

PDF SHARE
SAVE
A large late eighteenth-century French giltwood wall mirror featuring a carved fruit basket pediment, floral foliage, and a rectangular beaded frame.
1 / 11
Archive I A large late eighteenth-century French giltwood wall mirror featuring a carved fruit basket pediment, floral foliage, and a rectangular beaded frame.

Large Late C18th French Gilt-wood Framed Mirror .

Archive II A large late eighteenth-century French giltwood wall mirror featuring a carved fruit basket pediment, floral foliage, and a rectangular beaded frame. View II
Archive III A large late eighteenth-century French giltwood wall mirror featuring a carved fruit basket pediment, floral foliage, and a rectangular beaded frame. View III
Archive IV A large late eighteenth-century French giltwood wall mirror featuring a carved fruit basket pediment, floral foliage, and a rectangular beaded frame. View IV
Archive V A large late eighteenth-century French giltwood wall mirror featuring a carved fruit basket pediment, floral foliage, and a rectangular beaded frame. View V
Archive VI A large late eighteenth-century French giltwood wall mirror featuring a carved fruit basket pediment, floral foliage, and a rectangular beaded frame. View VI
Archive VII A large late eighteenth-century French giltwood wall mirror featuring a carved fruit basket pediment, floral foliage, and a rectangular beaded frame. View VII
Archive VIII A large late eighteenth-century French giltwood wall mirror featuring a carved fruit basket pediment, floral foliage, and a rectangular beaded frame. View VIII
Archive IX A large late eighteenth-century French giltwood wall mirror featuring a carved fruit basket pediment, floral foliage, and a rectangular beaded frame. View IX
Archive X A large late eighteenth-century French giltwood wall mirror featuring a carved fruit basket pediment, floral foliage, and a rectangular beaded frame. View X
Archive XI A large late eighteenth-century French giltwood wall mirror featuring a carved fruit basket pediment, floral foliage, and a rectangular beaded frame. View XI
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M Lees and Sons

M Lees and Sons
Telephone 07860 826218 or 01905 26620
Location
Tower House
1 Castle Place
Severn St
Worcester
WR1 2NB
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/mleesandsons
Verified Since Feb 2013
Items For Sale 370
Items Sold 1,602
M Lees and Sons
M Lees and Sons
Verified Since Feb 2013
View Dealer Info
Location: Tower House, 1 Castle Place, Severn St, Worcester, WR1 2NB, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/mleesandsons
Verified
Feb 2013
For Sale
370
Sold
1,602
A large late eighteenth-century French giltwood wall mirror featuring a carved fruit basket pediment, floral foliage, and a rectangular beaded frame.
Large late C18th French gilt-wood framed mirror .
Ref: SA1205205
A large late eighteenth-century French giltwood wall mirror featuring a carved fruit basket pediment, floral foliage, and a rectangular beaded frame.
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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectWall Mirrors
  • Period18th century
  • StyleLouis XVI
  • MaterialGiltwood, Glass, Gesso
  • ColourGold
  • MotifsFruit basket crest, Laurel leaf foliage, Beaded inner border, Carved side tassels
  • SizeH 155 cm (61 in) x W 65 cm (26 in) x D 10 cm (4 in)

This large late eighteenth-century French gilt-wood marriage mirror dates from around 1790 and reflects the Louis XVI style. The piece is constructed from giltwood, gesso, and glass, presenting a gold finish with a mellow patina and visible red bole underneath. The rectangular glass plate features twin split mercury silvered sections with atmospheric degradation and foxing, set within a frame adorned with a carved fruit basket pediment, laurel leaf foliage, a beaded inner border, carved side tassels, and further carving along the base, backed by original panelled boards. Measuring 155 cm high, 65 cm wide, and 10 cm deep, the mirror has substantial proportions. Traditionally given as a symbolic gift to celebrate a marriage, this wall mirror suits placement above a mantel in a living room, dining room, or hallway to bring historical character to a home. The original gilded surface shows atmospheric wear, and the wooden frame includes panelled backboards to the reverse.

FAQs

French mirrors from the late eighteenth century under the Louis XVI period are characterized by Neoclassical symmetry, rectilinear frames, and decorative cresting. Common motifs include botanical foliage, fruit baskets, ribbons, and beaded inner borders executed in hand-carved wood and gesso.

These mirror frames were traditionally carved from woods such as pine or linden, covered with layers of white gesso plaster, coated in red or yellow clay bole, and finished with delicate gold leaf. The reflective glass panel was made using mercury-amalgam methods, which created subtle imperfections and tonal depth.

Authentic pieces feature hand-carved timber backings or panelled wood backs held with square iron nails. The gilding typically displays natural wear where the underlying clay bole or white gesso shows through, along with light oxidisation or foxing on the original mercury glass.

A large giltwood mirror serves as an effective focal point when placed above a fireplace mantelpiece, dining room sideboard, or console table. The warm gilded finish contrasts cleanly against matte neutral wall paint or dark heritage colour schemes.

Giltwood frames must be dusted gently with a soft, dry camel-hair brush or feather duster without using liquid cleaners, solvents, or water, which dissolve gesso and ruin gold leaf. Mirror glass should be cleaned by spraying glass cleaner onto a cloth rather than directly onto the glass edge to prevent moisture from seeping behind the frame.
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