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Monumental 19th Century French Faux Bamboo Giltwood Pareclose Mirror

Item Number: LOPR34

$11,500.00

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A magnificent and monumental mid-19th century French pareclose mirror, circa 1840s, retaining its original mirror plates, carved giltwood decoration, and beautifully aged gilded finish. Remarkable in both scale and execution, the mirror combines an architectural faux bamboo framework with exuberant naturalistic carving, creating an unusual marriage of structured geometry and romantic botanical ornament.

The substantial giltwood frame is carved to imitate lengths of bamboo, complete with raised knuckles marking the individual sections of each cane. Slender faux bamboo members form the large central mirror and surrounding pareclose panels, while projecting bamboo-form ends at the corners further emphasize the distinctive construction. The narrow mirrored borders give the piece wonderful depth and allow light to reflect beyond the generous central plate.

Its crowning glory is the elaborate openwork crest rising dramatically above the frame. Finely carved branches sweep outward in an airy, asymmetrical arrangement of leaves, blossoms, buds, and berries, converging around a lush central composition of overlapping foliage. The carving has remarkable movement, with twisting stems appearing to grow naturally across and around the bamboo framework rather than simply resting upon it.

A graceful looped motif descends from the center of the crest, framed by cascading leaves, adding an almost jewel-like flourish above the central mirror. Smaller carved branches continue across the upper corners and sides, visually tying the crest to the surrounding frame.

Additional sprays of naturalistically carved foliage climb across the vertical sides of the mirror. Twisting branches weave around the faux bamboo members, punctuated by individually modeled leaves, flower heads, buds, and small fruit or berry forms. Even the lower corners are embellished with delicate trailing branches, giving the decoration a sense of continuing organically around the entire frame.

The original gold-leaf gilding has mellowed beautifully with age, revealing softly burnished highlights, deeper tones within the recesses, and occasional glimpses of the warm red bole beneath where the gilding has naturally worn. This wonderfully timeworn surface accentuates the intricate carving and gives the mirror the depth and character expected of a French piece approaching two centuries old.

The original mercury glass remains in place throughout, including the large central plate and surrounding pareclose panels. Scattered foxing and naturally aged areas of silvering lend the glass an atmospheric, softly mottled reflection that beautifully complements the mellowed gilding and speaks to the mirror's remarkable age and originality.

Both architectural and wonderfully romantic, this monumental French mirror is as much a work of decorative sculpture as a functional looking glass. Its extraordinary scale, faux bamboo construction, abundant botanical carving, original gilding, and original mirror plates give it tremendous presence. Hung above a console or commode, positioned in an entry hall or salon, or allowed to command an entire wall, it would create a spectacular focal point in both traditional and more eclectic interiors.

*Currently aboard our latest container from France and Italy. Additional photographs will be added once this piece arrives in Birmingham — but you don’t have to wait for the boat. Use Comments & Inquiries to ask about purchasing it before arrival.

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Mirror A closer look reveals

Origin: France

Date: Circa 1840s

Style: Mid-19th century French decorative arts with faux bamboo and naturalistic botanical ornament

Material: Carved giltwood and original mirror glass

Shape: Monumental rectangular pareclose mirror with a large central plate surrounded by narrow mirrored borders

Detail: Faux bamboo framework carved with raised knuckles and projecting cane-form ends, enriched with openwork branches, leaves, blossoms, buds, berries, and scrolling botanical ornament throughout

Crest: Elaborate openwork giltwood crest with twisting branches, layered foliage, blossoms, buds, and a graceful descending looped motif

Mirror: Original central mirror plate and original surrounding pareclose mirror panels

Gilding: Original gilded finish with warm gold tones, softly burnished highlights, and naturally aged darker accents in the carved recesses

Patina: Beautifully timeworn with subtle variation to the gilding and gentle age to the original mirror plates, adding depth and authentic antique character

Condition: Very good antique condition with wear consistent with age and use

Dimensions: 86"H x 51"W x 7"D

Use: A dramatic statement mirror for an entry hall, salon, living room, dining room, or above a console or commode

Sold: Individually

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