PARIS - ÉPOQUE RÉGENCE Lot n° 24

Gilded wood, mirror H. 170 cm, W. 110 cm The architect Robert de Cotte (1656-1735) was responsible for the use of fireplaces topped with large mirrors for interior decoration purposes. The architect Jacques Francois Blondel wrote at the end of a visit to the Hotel Mazarin: "As if by magic, the mirrors repeat and seem to multiply to infinity all the decorations and architectural features." Under the influence of the ornamentalists of the time such as Nicolas Pineau (died in 1754), Jean Mariette (1654-1743) and Gilles Marie Oppenord (1672-1742), sculpture came to life and reached an extraordinary diversity. New types of mirror borders will be created. Under the Regency, the glass panes are lost in the rounded pediment and become one with it. Fantastic animals such as winged griffins, chimeras and palm trees appear. This glazed mirror is a perfect example. It has a carved and gilded wooden frame, decorated with palm leaves, acanthus leaves, flowers, scrolls and beaded and gadrooned friezes running around the mirror. Two chimeras confront each other and the pediment is decorated with an openwork and shredded cartridge.