French 18th Century Trumeau Mirror with painting depicting a galant scene

Object Description

An 18th century trumeau mirror with a mirror plate framed by a giltwood border surmounted by an oil painting and a giltwood carved freeze of stylized foliate ornaments and strapwork on a light green background.

Object History

The inset painting of a ‘fête galante’ in the manner of Antoine Watteau, Jean-Honoré Fragonard oder Francois Boucher. A ‘fête galante’ is a courtship party where figures in costumes disporting themselves amorously in parkland settings. Here we have a noble pair (indicated by the red heeled shoes) who are dressed up as wine-growers playing their intimate and flirtatious game. Fête galante paintings are an important part of the rococo period, which saw the focus of European arts move away from the hierarchical toward an appreciation for intimacy and personal pleasures.
With a height of more than six feet and a width of almost four feet, this regal mirror would lend grandeur and elegance to any interior.

Object Condition

good, wear consistent with age and use, minor fading, minor losses, mirror plate with small areas of corrosion – detailed condition report on reqest

Object Details