Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Last Gasp




The Italian giltwood mirror above dates to around 1780  and can be viewed from the back as well as from the front. Crudely finished slats were considered good enough to tack across the rear, preventing the mirror from falling out, and a rough piece of twine was sufficient to hang the object on a wall.

Below, a French giltwood baldachino, carved and painted to imitate fabric. It hung originally above a bed-head, to provide a pleasing touch of faux-grandeur.



The small giltwood table that follows is a late-19th century French evocation (or imitation or imposture) of pre-Revolutionary lightness and grace.



And more mirrors. There cannot be too many such mirrors. These are French.









Finally, four photographs documenting one transcendent French console.