Pair of gilt wood mirrors, Aix en Provence circa 1700

Exceptional pair of linden wood mirrors gilded with leaf.
The central octagonal mirror framed by a finely carved rod of laurel tori and set in a wide border decorated with acanthus staples attached and turned over.
On both sides two eagles holding garlands of flowers in their beaks.

Very good condition, original gilding and glasses.

Aix work from the 18th century.

Dimensions:

Height: 55 cm; Width: 45 cm


Our opinion :

A true technical feat of sculpture, the pair of mirrors that we present are typical of Aix-en-Provence productions from the 18th century.
This production largely inspired by transalpine creations is unique in France, it probably saw the light of day with the arrival of Italian artisans at the end of the 16th century.
The fashion of the Baroque spread throughout the 18th century in Aix en Provence, to the point that the city was nicknamed the Florence of Provence.
While the city’s sculpture workshops take up the complexity and exuberance of Italian models for mirrors and consoles, they bring additional finesse to the details.
This very French touch is reinforced by the delicate work of repairing the gilder, which engraves the tiniest details in the still fresh finish and allows a more elaborate and less smooth finish than Italian gilded woods.
Our two mirrors are inspired by the productions of the studio of the great Bergamo sculptor Andrea Fantoni (1659-1734), whose works were very successful in European courts.
We find on our mirrors, the same complexity of the decoration, with these strong reliefs on several floors and these details in the reverse side of the acanthus leaves which made the fame of Fantoni and which denote a great dexterity, with a sculptor who rivals the genius of Italian baroque.
The reverse each features an old 19th century auction label, one with the number 69 C and the other the 69 D.
This numbering shows that they were part of a larger series, at least four.
Positioned facing openings in large galleries, this type of small mirror was used to reflect daylight.