19th Century Giltwood American Empire Mirror

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Richly carved, this American Empire style mirror is delicate yet it has commanding presence. The combination of classical elements does … Read more Richly carved, this American Empire style mirror is delicate yet it has commanding presence. The combination of classical elements does not repeat any conventional European designs of the period and thus speaks of an American origin. During the first half of the 19th century, Americans embraced classicism as the fullest expression of the young republic’s emulation of the governments and ideal beauty of Greece and Rome. The use of cornucopia, is seen most prominently on New York furniture. The motifs of abundance, here grapes, leaves and pomegranates at the crown, is an assemblage of ornament appropriate for a rapidly growing nation with tremendous natural resources and plentiful talent. An exaggerated ribbon bow design is featured at the bottom. It retains the original paper label on the back that reads Clausen Art rooms, pictures and frames, Madison Avenue, New York, which was a prestigious purveyor of frames in the late 1800s-early 1900s. See less