Antique Gold Leaf Mirror | Rococo Cartouche, Spain

• Structurally inspected
• Furniture ready for use

A dimly lit hallway or entryway is better brightened with gold than with another lamp. A large, gilded mirror reflects existing light and adds light that isn't there.

This antique mirror was carved in Spain in the 19th century, in the shape of a cartouche: an outline cut in curves, without right angles, typical of late Rococo. It came from a Spanish house, with no further documented provenance. We chose it for its carving, largely openwork, and for a gilding that has lived long enough to show its age.

The frame is made of carved and water-gilded wood, with gold leaf applied over a red bole base, the technique used before synthetic gilding existed. On the highest reliefs and some edges, the gold has worn away, revealing the red underneath: this is proof that the gilding is authentic and not a layer of gold paint applied on top. The crest finishes in a large volute, with a small oval mirror embedded in the center and a cherub's head at the bottom base. The entire ornate border is openwork: the wall is visible through the carving in several places, not just on the outline.

90 cm wide by 143 cm high. It is a large, vertical mirror, designed for an entryway with a high ceiling, a wide hallway, or above a console in a living room where light and height are needed.

WHAT WE LIKE MOST ABOUT THIS PIECE

→ The worn gilding. The red bole shows through on the high reliefs and edges, where the gold has disappeared with years of rubbing. New gilding does not have that red underneath.

→ The mirror on the crest. A small oval embedded at the top, with its own carved frame, independent of the main mirror. It's a detail that rarely survives intact.

→ The openwork carving. The ornate border is not solid: it is cut out and pierced in several places, with volutes, leaves, and clusters that allow light from the wall to pass through behind.

RESTORED IN OUR WORKSHOP IN NAVALCARNERO, MADRID

A general cleaning of the entire wooden structure was carried out, and the condition of the carving and hanging system was checked.

The patina and gilding are original: no new gold has been applied, nor has any section been repainted. The wear seen in the photographs is what it had when it arrived at the workshop.

Style: Rococo
Material: Carved wood
Technique: Openwork carving, water gilding with bole ground
Finish: Original gold leaf, with natural wear
Fittings: Not applicable - piece without fittings
Layout: Wall-mounted piece, with secondary mirror in the cresting
Dimensions: 90 cm (Width) × 143 cm (Height)
Condition: Structure reviewed, original patina and gilding preserved
Period: 19th Century, Spain

90 cm (Width) × 143 cm (Height)

Free shipping to mainland Spain. Includes indoor delivery with packaging removal.