A Portuguese gilt-bronze-mounted kingwood cheval mirror in the Empire style circa 1840, attributed to Pierre Barthélemy Dejante

the rectangular mirror plate within a swivelling frame, supported by columns, joined by circular baluster-shaped supports, on down-scrolled feet, fitted with gilt-bronze mounts, with Imperial household label to back

Probably Amélie of Leuchtenberg, Duchess of Braganza, Empress of Brazil (1812-1873)

COMPARATIVE LITERATURE

Celina Bastos, 'A familia Dejante: a marcenaria e a industria de mármores no Portugal de Oitocentos', in Revista de Artes Decorativas, nr. 3, Porto: Escola das Artes, UCP, 2009, 157-191.

Conceição Borges de Sousa et alt., Pintura e Mobiliário do Palácio de Belém, Lisbon, Museu da Presidência da República, 2005, pp. 141-145.

This elegant mirror is in overall good condition with marks and scratches consistent with age and use. There is some scuffing to feet and minor losses to mounts, namely one section of a mount to left side column as visible in the catalogue. The look of the mounts can be enhanced with light cleaning. Candle arms probably later. Imperial label in the back. Plate apparently original but in good condition and good visibility. For all sales which take place on or after 1 February 2015, please note that the rate of buyer's premium for each lot (charged as a percentage of the hammer price achieved for that lot) has been revised and shall be calculated at the thresholds set out below: Buyer's premium is 25% of the hammer price up to and including £100,000; Buyer's premium is 20% of the hammer price on any amount in excess of £100, 000 up to and including £1,800,000; Buyer's premium is 12% of the hammer price on any amount in excess of £1,800,000. As stated above, the revised thresholds are effective as of 1 February 2015.
"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."

Pierre Bartholomé Dejante was a Parisian trained cabinet-maker who settled in Lisbon in 1821, attracted by the privileges granted then to foreign traders and manufacturers. He quickly gained a firm reputation in the city and in 1828 was supplying the Royal House with an impressive secretaire-abattant, now in the presidential Palácio de Belém, possibly commissioned by the Regent, Infanta Dona Isabel for her brother Kind Dom Miguel.

Through the following decades his style was somehow confined to the manner learned in his training years, the Empire vocabulary, which was appreciated by the Royal Family, namely Queen Dona Maria II and King Dom Fernando II, who kept commissioning him furnishings for Palácio de Belém, Palácio da Pena and Palácio das Necessidades, several of which still remain these palaces. He exhibited in the Universal exhibitions of 1851 in London and four years later in Paris.

From 1841, he advertised his services as cabinet-maker of the dowager Empress of Brazil, Amélie of Leuchtenberg “Marceneiro de Sua Magestade Fidelissima e de sua magestade imperial a Senhora Duquesa de Bragança” and the present lot, carrying a label with the Brazilian Imperial crown, was probably amongst the pieces supplied to her (and her daughter Maria Amélia), then living in Lisbon in Palácio Alvor, as the widow of Dom Pedro, Emperor of Brazil.

Amélie of Leuchtenberg was Duchess of Leuchtenberg and Empress of Brazil as the wife of Dom Pedro I of Brazil, IV of Portugal. Granddaughter of Josephine de Beauharnais, Empress of the French, her father was Eugène de Beauharnais and her mother Princess Augusta Amélia, daughter of Maximilian I, King of Bavaria.