A pair of Italian carved giltwood and engraved glass mirrors, Genoese, circa 1735

each with a raised cresting with two scrolled brackets flanking a cartouche shaped plate above a female mask, one engraved with a Turk and military trophies, the other with a Roman soldier, the whole carved with acanthus, fruiting and floral swags, c-scrolls

In overall good conserved condition. There are some minor chips and minor losses to the gilding as visible from the catalogue photograph.There are some construction cracks which can be filled or left and other scattered age cracks commensurate with age and normal usage. Evidence of old minor worm which appears to be no longer active. Old minor restorations to the carving with some very minor losses which are hardly noticeable. The one with the Roman soldier has a very minor section of border plate missing from the top left corner as visible on p. 54 which can easily be restored. The construction cracks through the centre of the upper section of the one on p. 56 are more pronounced as visible from the photograph and can easily be filled or left. Both mirrors have some minor wear to gilding.
"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:
Alvar González-Palacios, Il Mobile in Liguria, Genoa, 1996. 
Graham Child, World Mirrors, 1650-1900, London, 1990, p. 270, plate 573.

This stunning pair of mirrors are striking not only on account of their rich sculptural carving but also their grand scale. The sumptuous carving and the sophisticated design conveys the grandeur of the interiors of the palaces in Genoa.

The offered mirrors are intriguing as they have Venetian engraved plates one depicting a Turk and the other a Roman soldier possibly harking back to the Ottoman-Venetian wars.

It is worthwhile noting Child, op. cit., p. 270, plate 573, for a very similarly carved mirror with an engraved plate, stated to be North Italian, circa 1740, which must have been part of the same suite but adapted, reproduced here in fig. 1.