A fine and rare pair of German carved giltwood mirrors, Lohr circa 1730

each with an arched bevelled divided plate surmounted by a rocaille and foliate carved cresting, the sides carved with foliage above a similarly carved apron on a cross-hatched ground; regilt

Fischer-Böhler, Munich, 1978

 

Graham Child, World Mirrors, 1650-1900, London, 1990, p. 229, plate 479, where one of the mirrors is illustrated and described as Northern Germany, possibly Frankfurt, circa  1750.

Colour of gilding far less greenish, more greddish gold than in the catalogue illustration. The lower section of one mirror plate is a later replacement as the other plates are bevelled. Old very minor marks and chips to gilding commensurate with age. Both mirrors have been strengthened on the back, some old very minor restorations to carving where there have been breaks, especially to the cresting of one as visible from photograph on p. 200, and the apron has also been strengthened. In overall very good conserved condition. An attractive model, very well carved. Rare to have a pair.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Comparative Literature:
H.Kreisel, Die kunst des deutschen möbels, Spätbarock und Rokoko, Vol. II, Munich, 1970, plates 216 and 217.
This type of carving which is rather flat and in low relief, the tenuous rocaille and assymetrical cresting is redolent of the French Régence mirrors of the early 18th century.

The carving and form of these mirrors is typical of the production from Lohr in the first half of the 18th century. A mirror with a virtually identically shaped inner frame and similarly shaped cresting and apron, although with symmetrical carving as it is slightly earlier in date than the offered pair, is in Schloss Fasanerei bei Fulda, illustrated by Kreisel, op. cit., plate 217, reproduced here in fig.1.

Another related Lohr mirror, circa 1725-30, is also illustrated by Kreisel, op. cit., plate 216.