Painted and Giltwood French Régence Trumeau Mirror From Normandy, Circa 1720

Description

This very tall trumeau mirror was recently discovered in the storage attic of a chateau in Normandy, France. The beautiful … more This very tall trumeau mirror was recently discovered in the storage attic of a chateau in Normandy, France. The beautiful mirror, which features both hand-painted and giltwood elements, was hand-carved circa 1720, making it a period Regence trumeau. Most likely, the trumeau was part of a boiserie, which would have had paneled walls adorned with similarly colored and themed carvings.

The roughly 70-inch tall by 42 inch wide mirrored section is encircled by a giltwood beaded border inside of a protruding ring of foliage and scalloped shells. At the top of the shaped mirror is a musical trophy with a tambourine, xylophone, bell, and pipe adjoined by a crinkled ribbon bow. The grouping is set beneath a curled foliate crest with a cavetto border that emanates from behind the leaf tips. This molding runs along the top edge, ending with notched corners before continuing down to the canted upper corners of the mirror. A pair of volute leaves and floral margents run along the top of the sinuous mirror edge. The fantastic giltwood carvings are enhanced by the muted background, which is a traditional French blue gray.

When Louis XIV died, his successor, Louis XV (his eldest great-grandson) was only five years old, necessitating the need for a regent to function as the ruler of France until the rightful heir reached maturity. This gave rise to the Régence period of French history, when this painted and giltwood trumeau mirror from Normandy was hand-carved, circa 1720. As the Régence was a transitional period, you will find elements and motifs that either were prevalent during Louis XIV or would become fashionable once Louis XV rose to power, making this a versatile mirror. less