Mid-19th Century French Louis XVI Giltwood Trumeau Mirror With Original Painting, Circa 1850

Details

Description

Mid-19th century French trumeau mirror executed in carved giltwood with an original pastoral oil painting set above the mirror plate. … Read more Mid-19th century French trumeau mirror executed in carved giltwood with an original pastoral oil painting set above the mirror plate. The architectural composition features fluted pilasters, carved corner blocks, and an egg-and-dart frieze, all characteristic of Louis XVI neoclassical design as interpreted during the Napoleon III period.

The depth of carving and clarity of ornament indicate workshop-level craftsmanship rather than later decorative production. The upper panneau retains its original painting, showing consistent age and surface in harmony with the surrounding gilded framework. The proportions and structure confirm this piece was conceived as an overmantel architectural element rather than a simple wall mirror.

The original gilding displays a soft, time-earned patina with natural oxidation that highlights the relief of the carving without evidence of later regilding. The mirror plate sits within deeply fluted pilasters terminating in rosette and acanthus block details, reinforcing the classical vocabulary throughout the design.

Sourced in Provence, France, this trumeau represents the type of architectural interior element produced for well-appointed French homes in the mid-19th century. See less