Gilt Rococo-Style Mirror, Mid-20th Century Museum Cast

About the Item

A finely detailed gilt mirror in the Rococo taste, produced as a high-quality museum cast circa 1940s-50s. Unlike typical decorator reproductions, this example shows the fidelity and craftsmanship associated with institutional commissions: the frame, back, and even "wood panels" and screws were cast as a single piece, then finished in gilt and patinated to replicate the look and feel of an 18th-century original. Such mirrors were often commissioned by major museums (the Met, V&A, Philadelphia Museum, etc.) when a second example was needed for display or for traveling exhibitions. This tradition of scholarly reproduction allowed curators to present objects in context while preserving originals in storage. The level of finish here - from the lush scrolls and foliate cresting to the convincing illusion of aged wood at the reverse - speaks to that practice. More than a decorative object, this piece is a glimpse into mid-20th-century museum culture, when casting was seen as an educational tool as much as a conservation strategy. Today it stands as both an nt Rococo-style mirror and a rare artifact of display his

Dimensions:
Height: 29.5 in (74.93 cm)Width: 13.75 in (34.93 cm)Depth: 2.5 in (6.35 cm)
Style:
Rococo (In the Style Of)
Materials and Techniques:
Epoxy Resin,Gold Leaf,Paint,Cast,Gilt,Molded,Patinated
Period:
1950-1959
Date of Manufacture:
1950s
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use.
Seller Location:
Kilmarnock, VA
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU883046915692