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Gilt-wood Pier Mirror with Elaborate Carved Corner Elements

Creator: John H. Williams (Attributed)
Offered by: Carswell Rush Berlin Antiques

Description
CARVED GILT-WOOD PIER MIRROR
WITH ELABORATE FOLIATE CORNER ELEMENTS
Attributed to John H. Williams
New York, c. 1828-1832

The mirror divided 1/4-3/4, framed by a gilt-wood cove frame with elaborate carved foliate elements.

57½" x 30"

Condition: Excellent. Retaining original mirror plate.

An identical pier mirror bearing the paper label of looking glass maker, John H. Williams, working at 345 Front Street, New York, is known. Williams begins to be listed as early as 1813 at 315 Pearl Street and is listed at this address as a "Looking glass store" as early as 1823. He continues to be listed as a looking glass store at this same Pearl Street address as late as 1840. It would seem that this mirror can be precisely dated to the four years that Williams briefly had a store on Front Street.

Pier mirrors were designed to be placed against architectural piers between flanking windows or doors. Typically, they would have a pier table below them, usually with a mirror plate forming the back of the pier table below the top. This would create a virtually continuous column of mirror for the purpose of reflecting day or candle light into an otherwise dimly lighted room and would have the effect of making the pier table top appear to float out into the room. The gilded frame of the mirror was also intended to have the same decorative and practical effect of reflecting light.

M-BBO-1912274

More Information

Origin:	United States, New York
Period:	19th Century
Materials:	Carved Gilded Wood & Mirror Glass
Condition:	Good.
Creation Date:	1828-1832
Styles / Movements:	Classical, George IV, Traditional
Dealer Reference #:	M-BBO-1912274
Incollect Reference #:	341255

Dimensions

W.	30 in;	H.	57.5 in;
W.	76.2 cm;	H.	146.05 cm;

Message from Seller:

Welcome to Carswell Rush Berlin Antiques, a premier New York City-based dealer specializing in American antique furniture and decorative accessories from the Classical period (1800-1840). For inquiries, please contact us at 646.645.0404 or email carswellberlin@msn.com.