18th Century Italian Painted Mirror

This splendid mirror retains its original painted and parcel gilt decoration and plate, and is a fine example of Italian neoclassical design. Of broadly rectangular form, it has an elevated cresting in the form of a central flaming tripod censer with applied gilt lion masks, supported by a pair of floral swags. The frieze below has floral paterae and fluting and then there is a rectangular plate, original to the piece and beautifully aged. To the sides of the plate there are scrolled corbels to the top and bottom and then at the bottom there are two short paw feet. The paint scheme on the mirror suggests parcel gilded walnut, and it is likely that it was made specifically for a particular interior scheme at the time. A very interesting and attractive mirror. This came from a very good house in France from a private collector.