Louis XV Period Provençal Mirror, Provence Circa 1750

Louis XV period Provencal mirror Provence, circa 1750 Carved and gilded wood Dimensions: 131 x 86 cm Mercury mirror in a rectangular frame in carved, openwork and gilded wood. The wide pediment, with openwork decoration, presents a bouquet of roses in a cartouche; the uprights and the lower crosspiece are decorated with branches of oak leaves and acorns; the frame rests on a base that widens in large volutes; the shoulders are richly decorated with acanthus leaves. Beautiful mirror with lines that are both supple and powerful, characteristic of Provencal production, marked by the dual influence of both Paris and Italy. The sculpture in high relief recalls the models made at the same time in Piedmont and Veneto. But the repertoire of acanthus leaves, volutes, vine branches, grapes, and vine leaves is unique to them. The play of curves and moldings is remarkably highlighted by the use of mirror reserves. The use of a soft wood such as lime allowed sculptors to obtain very flexible sculptural effects. Generally speaking, the taste for splendor of the Provençaux explains the craze for the technique of carved and gilded wood, in which many sculptors and gilders distinguished themselves, among whom Bernard Tureau (or Toro) figures prominently. Expensive products, and therefore reserved for an elite, mirrors were sold at the large fairs of the town of Beaucaire, located on the banks of the Rhône, which was then the main communication route between the sea and the interior.