Federal Bullseye Gilt Mirror with Eagle Finial, 19th Century
Presented is a Federal period bullseye mirror with a stunning eagle embellishment at top and two candle wings on each side. The mirror frame is hand-carved, constructed of lemon gilt gesso and hardwood. At top is an glorious spreading eagle perched on a small Doric column. The mirror frame boasts a dot design, leading into a beaded liner and convex mirror. Candle wings attach to the bottom sides of the mirror, beautifully sculpted to mimic curling leaves. The base has a leaf and acorn pattern.
Federal convex mirrors made their way into the homes of the American elite and wealthy at the end of the 1700s. When accompanied by candles, as seen here, the convex shape of these mirrors helped to illuminate a room. Architecture, furnishings and decorative embellishments of this era typically reflected the Neoclassical style, which includes influences from Greece and Rome, prevalent in Europe and Great Britain at the time. Many Federal convex mirrors included an eagle standing on a Corinthian, Doric, or an Ionic column, surmounted to the midpoint of the mirror frame at the top, with either branches or other decorative designs on either side of the column.
The eagle is both the national bird and the national animal of the United States. The eagle motif has been widely used throughout American history, most notably as part of our Great Seal. The founders of the United States were fond of comparing their new republic with the Roman Republic, in which eagle imagery, usually the golden eagle, was prominent. On June 20, 1782, the Continental Congress adopted the design for the Great Seal of the United States depicting a bald eagle grasping 13 arrows and an olive branch with its talons. Since then, the eagle motif has appeared in allegorical engravings, patriotic banners and posters, and in beautiful wooden carvings and sculptures.
CONDITION:
Very good condition, considering age and materials. Eagle crested bullseye mirror with candle wings. Lemon gilt gesso and carved wood. With old and 21st century repairs, minor repaired losses to gesso, in-painting, minor chips. Light speckling to mirror, specifically in bottom quarter. Wooden backing to mirror, strung with wire for hanging.
Mirror Diameter 16". Height 42".
Accompanied by our company's letter of authenticity.
This mirror cannot be shipped. In-store pick-up only.
Pickup available at Colorado
Usually ready in 4 hours
Federal Bullseye Gilt Mirror with Eagle Finial, 19th Century
Colorado
1 Lake Avenue
Colorado Springs CO 80906
United States
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Yes, all of our Antiques are certified authentic. Every antique comes with a signed Letter of Authenticity that details the item’s history, its current condition including any conservation, binding, or framing work, and the item’s provenance. The Letters of Authenticity are priced valuations by our authentication specialists, who assure that items are original and unconditionally guaranteed as genuine for life.
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We acquire from a variety of trusted sources all over the world, but mostly through auctions and private collections within the United States. All provenance information will be listed on the Letter of
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