This exceptional mirror is masterfully crafted from carved giltwood and adorned with an array of animals, cherubs, and floral motifs.
Crowning the antique is a pair of doves, symbols of everlasting love. Flanking them are three-dimensional giltwood leaves that guide the viewer’s gaze toward the central feature.
The sides of the mirror are framed with prominent, branch-like structures, embellished with nature-inspired decorations. One side is populated with intricately carved birds, such as woodpeckers, while the other features fish swimming upwards toward the top. These motifs represent the elements of earth and sea, adding layers of symbolism related to wealth and abundance.
At the base, two painted cherubs modestly draped in flowing robes are depicted in a dramatic scene. Each cherub holds a stick, fending off a dragon whose tail coils around their delicate bodies. Over their shoulders hang bunches of fish, as if returning from a fruitful fishing trip.
The mirror’s rich iconography invites allegorical interpretation: innocence (putti) confronting evil (dragon) in defence of life (fish). Such symbolic narratives are characteristic of the 18th century Rococo style which inspired this antique’s design.
Impressively scaled and exquisitely detailed, this mirror is an unusual and captivating addition to any interior, reflecting the remarkable craftsmanship of its time.
