Louis XVI Period Antique French Trumeau Mirror, circa 1790

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Louis XVI Period Antique French Trumeau Mirror, circa 1790

About the Item

Receive our new selections direct from 1stdibs by email each week. Please click Follow Dealer below and see them first! A Louis XVI period antique French trumeau mirror circa 1790. This is an excellent example of a specific piece of French furniture that was originally an integral piece of the interior architecture in a home in Lyon. The term "trumeau" is an architectural term designating the space between two vertical elements in a room whether the space between a pair of doors, windows or columns that needed to be filled with something to complete the interior decoration of an interior. During the eighteenth century great value and importance was placed upon an integrated design sensibility throughout the entire space. This included the walls and ceilings as well as the furnishings and textiles. Because lighting an interior was a great Challenge during this period the use of highly reflective mirror glass was an integral part of any room. During the reign of Louis XV (1723-1774) and Louis XVI (1774-1792) large mirror plates were actually placed within the framework of the walls and mounted above fireplaces and console tables with candelabra and candlesticks placed in front of them to reflect the light. Above the mirror glass was an oil painting depicting most often a scene of courtship as seen here with other subjects being landscapes and toward the end of the seventeen hundreds actual pieces of applied sculpture known as "trophées". The handsome symmetry of the architectural design of this trumeau identifies it as being created during the reign of Louis XVI. Please look at the pair of vertical panels enclosed by a slender ribbon of moulding adorned with gold leaf on the left and right of the mirror glass and oil painting. Using our zoom feature scroll over the hand done carving at the top of each panel to see the subtle differences as the ribbons cross over and under in mirror opposites depending upon whether they are on the left or right. This attention to detail and placement is another clue to the eighteenth century origin of this piece for as the nineteenth century progressed more and more elements were produced by machine and ceased to be done by hand. The moulding that frames the original mirror glass and the oil painting has also been carved by hand and coated with gold leaf as is the top horizontal strip of moulding. The artisan of this piece chose the same moulding to enclose the mirror and painting and both of them have the small row of spheres on the inside edge known as "les perles" in French because of the resemblance to a strand of matched pearls. The beautiful mirror glass possesses the wonderful patination to the reflective surface that distinguishes antique mirror glass with speckles and dots and some patches where the silvering has dropped away. This unique surface adds value and beauty to the entire piece as it is a palpable presence of the passage of time. The lovely painting is a fine depiction of a courtship scene set in an imaginary landscape made famous by the painters Francois Boucher and Fragonard. The figures are shown at ease along with a small dog and while the couple is able to enjoy one another's company there is always a chaperone represented by the third figure. The beautiful languid quality of the posed figures and the lush painting of the foliage, faces and clothing all contribute to a sense of luxury and ease so desirable in the aristocratic life of the eighteenth century. Please notice that the point of this trumeau is not to reflect an entire interior or even to Stand in front of to see one's reflection. Rather these were pieces whose primary impact became visible once people were seated within the interior where the reflected candlelight shown from the mirror glass and underscored the subject of the painting. As tastes changed in interior decoration and houses were remodeled and rebuilt beautiful pieces such as this trumeau mirror were carefully removed and reinforced so they could hang anywhere as opposed to needing to be built into a room. This now gives an enormous amount of latitude as to where they may be used in a modern interior. Measures: 46" W x 57" H.

Dimensions:
Height: 57 in (144.78 cm)Width: 46 in (116.84 cm)Depth: 2 in (5.08 cm)
Style:
Louis XVI (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Canvas,Mirror,Paint,Wood,Gilt
Place of Origin:
France
Period:
Late 18th Century
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1790
Condition:
Seller Location:
Houston, TX
Reference Number:
Seller: PA201stDibs: U1206298668729