A Louis XIV ormolu mirror circa 1710

J. Kugel, Paris, 1986

Ormolu with traces of oxidation and surface dirt. Corner mounts of later date. Gilding of wood with losses and surface dirt. Signs of old worm damage. Mirror with foxing. In good overall condition.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Louis XIV was among those fascinated by the clarity and large size of mirrors that became available after Bernard Perrot's invention of cast glass in 1688. The King greatly favored using them in his apartments: at the time his death, the royal garde meuble contained 298 mirrors of various sizes, some of which had ormolu borders. A large ormolu mirror attributed to Charles Cressent was formerly in the collection of Hubert de Givenchy and was sold Christie's Monaco, December 4, 1993, lot 43. This has been related to seven mirrors with ormolu borders delivered for the duc d'Orléans before 1714 and listed at the Palais Royal or Château de Saint-Cloud. Charles Cressent (1685-1768), ébéniste, is known to have made ormolu mirrors. In contradiction of guild rules, he is known to have made his own bronze models, and in the 1723 court case brought against him by the guild was listed three such ormolu mirrors as well as the requisite ormolu moldings. Two such mirrors are listed in the 1765 sale of part of his stock (see Alexandre Pradère, Charles Cressent, Dijon, 2003, pp. 200-201). Rare even in the eighteenth century, ormolu-mounted mirrors are recorded in the collections of the duc de Tresme and Madame de Prie.