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ID #SA1246187
FOR SALE
£3,850
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Outstanding C18th Tryptic Mirror
For sale by Martin Murray Antiques
for sale €4,505     $4,890
£3,850
Martin Murray Antiques

Martin Murray Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Dec 2024
Browse dealers 44 items
  • About Us
    Specialist in early furniture and works of art
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Id #SA1246187
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Outstanding C18th Tryptic Mirror

18th century
Description

A tryptic mirror of fine quality, the carved crestings bearing a crown over a shield with the Marian monogram (specifically representing Ave Maria or Auspice Maria) surrounded by garlands of leaves and floral arrangements, each mirror has columns carved to the sides and the central mirror has a carved finial to the bottom. The mirrors stand on Grecian feet and the whole piece has a dramatic classicism, the original mercury plates are present, and the gilding is bright and perfectly worn. The original hinges are present. Tryptic mirrors from this period are rare and this is a stunning example.

French Circa 1790

Height 60 cm ( 23 1/2”)

Width 118 cm ( 46 1/2”)

Date of Manufacture

Martin Murray Antiques has dated this Giltwood Triptych Vanity Mirror to the 18th Century.

Independent Date Guide ID 09723309
Dealer's Item Date18th Century
Sellingantiques Date18th Century
Sellingantiques agingItem 215-250 years old
ResultsDates match
Why Sellingantiques dated this piece to THE 18TH CENTURY:
Heavy mottling and darkening across the glass: early mercury silvering.
Hand-cut slotted screws securing the strap hinges: late eighteenth-century metalwork.
Red clay bole showing through the gilding: traditional water gilding worn from handling.
Hand-planed softwood backboards: early joinery predating machine milling.
Reverse of the crestings shows hand gouge marks: entirely carved timber rather than moulded composition.

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.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1246187
Dealers Notes

For further details of any item or for a reliable shipping quote please get in touch. Shipping on items that can be posted is included in the UK

Worldwide shipping is available

Description
A tryptic mirror of fine quality, the carved crestings bearing a crown over a shield with the Marian monogram (specifically representing Ave Maria or Auspice Maria) surrounded by garlands of leaves and floral arrangements, each mirror has columns carved to the sides and the central mirror has a carved finial to the bottom.
“
The mirrors stand on Grecian feet and the whole piece has a dramatic classicism, the original mercury plates are present, and the gilding is bright and perfectly worn.
Martin Murray Antiques

The original hinges are present. Tryptic mirrors from this period are rare and this is a stunning example.

French Circa 1790

Height 60 cm ( 23 1/2”)

Width 118 cm ( 46 1/2”)

Date of Manufacture

Martin Murray Antiques has dated this Giltwood Triptych Vanity Mirror to the 18th Century.

Independent Date Report ID 09723309
Dealer's Item Date18th Century
Sellingantiques dating18th Century
Sellingantiques agingItem 215-250 years old
ResultsDates match
Why Sellingantiques dated this piece to the 18th Century:
Heavy mottling and darkening across the glass: early mercury silvering.
Hand-cut slotted screws securing the strap hinges: late eighteenth-century metalwork.
Red clay bole showing through the gilding: traditional water gilding worn from handling.
Hand-planed softwood backboards: early joinery predating machine milling.
Reverse of the crestings shows hand gouge marks: entirely carved timber rather than moulded composition.

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.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1246187
Martin Murray Antiques
Martin Murray Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Dec 2024

Specialist in early furniture and works of art

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Martin Murray Antiques Profile Page

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An 18th-century carved giltwood triptych mirror featuring three hinged panels topped with armorial crests and column supports.
1 / 11
Archive I An 18th-century carved giltwood triptych mirror featuring three hinged panels topped with armorial crests and column supports.

Outstanding C18th Tryptic Mirror

Archive II An 18th-century carved giltwood triptych mirror featuring three hinged panels topped with armorial crests and column supports. View II
Archive III An 18th-century carved giltwood triptych mirror featuring three hinged panels topped with armorial crests and column supports. View III
Archive IV An 18th-century carved giltwood triptych mirror featuring three hinged panels topped with armorial crests and column supports. View IV
Archive V An 18th-century carved giltwood triptych mirror featuring three hinged panels topped with armorial crests and column supports. View V
Archive VI An 18th-century carved giltwood triptych mirror featuring three hinged panels topped with armorial crests and column supports. View VI
Archive VII An 18th-century carved giltwood triptych mirror featuring three hinged panels topped with armorial crests and column supports. View VII
Archive VIII An 18th-century carved giltwood triptych mirror featuring three hinged panels topped with armorial crests and column supports. View VIII
Archive IX An 18th-century carved giltwood triptych mirror featuring three hinged panels topped with armorial crests and column supports. View IX
Archive X An 18th-century carved giltwood triptych mirror featuring three hinged panels topped with armorial crests and column supports. View X
Archive XI An 18th-century carved giltwood triptych mirror featuring three hinged panels topped with armorial crests and column supports. View XI
Enlarged Archival View
Martin Murray Antiques

Martin Murray Antiques
Telephone 07970 625359
Location
Near Eye
Suffolk
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/mmant
Verified Since Dec 2024
Items For Sale 44
Items Sold 98
Martin Murray Antiques
Martin Murray Antiques
Verified Since Dec 2024
View Dealer Info
Location: Near Eye, Suffolk, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/mmant
Verified
Dec 2024
For Sale
44
Sold
98
An 18th-century carved giltwood triptych mirror featuring three hinged panels topped with armorial crests and column supports.
outstanding C18th tryptic mirror
Ref: SA1246187
An 18th-century carved giltwood triptych mirror featuring three hinged panels topped with armorial crests and column supports.
Detail View 1
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Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectDressing Table Mirrors
  • Period18th century
  • Style18th Century Rococo
  • MaterialGiltwood, Gesso, Glass, Iron
  • ColourGilt Gold
  • MotifsArmorial crest, Carved columns, Scroll feet, Hinged panels

This eighteenth-century French triptych dressing table mirror is rendered in the Rococo style from giltwood, gesso, glass, and iron. The piece consists of three hinged panels finished in bright, worn gilt gold with visible age in the original mercury plates. The carved crestings display a crown over a shield with the Marian monogram, surrounded by leaf garlands and floral arrangements. Fluted columns flank each mirror plate, complemented by a carved bottom finial on the central section and scroll Grecian feet supporting the structure. Original metal hinges connect the side panels to the larger central section, permitting adjustable positioning. Measuring 60 cm in height and 118 cm in width, the mirror functions well atop a sideboard or a large dressing chest in a traditional bedroom or living space. The multi-panelled glass reflects light across the room while offering side-angle views. Placed against a wall or upon a substantial piece of furniture, the historic gilt finish and classical motifs complement traditional period interiors.

FAQs

A triptych mirror consists of a central reflective panel flanked by two hinged side panels that fold inwards. Popularised during the 18th century, these mirrors were primarily designed for dressing tables and vanity suites to allow viewing from multiple angles simultaneously.

These mirrors were constructed using carved wood frames coated in gesso and finished with hand-applied gold leaf water gilding. The reflective surfaces typically utilised mercury-silvered glass plates, held together with hand-forged metal hinges.

Authentic period examples display signs of hand-carved joinery, original iron hinges, and red or grey clay bole showing through worn gilded areas. Original mirror plates from this era often exhibit foxing, dark spotting, and subtle distortions characteristic of mercury glass production.

Position the mirror centrally atop a sideboard, console, or dressing table to create a focal point. Angling the side panels slightly inward adds spatial depth and reflects ambient light throughout the room.

Dust the carved frame gently using a soft, dry camel-hair brush to avoid flaking the delicate gesso and gold leaf. Avoid liquid cleaners or solvents on the gilded surface, and clean the glass plates using a slightly dampened microfibre cloth.
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