An Italian carved giltwood mirror, Genoese, circa 1730

with a central bevelled rectangular plate surmounted by an arched plate within a mirrored margin, the scroll and figural cresting flanked by putti with figures representing the Four Continents, upper right side Europe with a tower and horse, trophies and papal tiara; to th upper right Africa, a female figure with elephant helmet, cornucopia and lion; lower left with America represented by an Indian with feather crown, the lower right Asia, with horse and chains, the sides with nereids, with a shaped apron carved with scrolls and foliage, with claw feet

In overall good conserved condition. Old very minor marks, chips and very minor losses to carving and old restorations to carving. The mirror is also a bit dirty and would benefit from light clean according to taste. The index finger on the figure with the building has been replaced. Below this figure the leg of horse has been recarved and left ungilded.The hand of the figure with elephant's helmet has partially been recarved. Some wear and scattered chips in places which can easily be touched up.Some of the old restorations would benefit from some further attention, eg the face of left nereid. There are some construction cracks and scattered age cracks which would benefit from some further attention as they have been touched up with gilt paint. There are some minor losses to mirror plate and immediately below on the border on the left side and these is a quite large gap where the two mirror plates join. A minor section of the mirror plate is missing from the base of apron which is hardly noticeable. There is also a break to the mirrored border of right side and in places the borders have dropped and need minor adjustment. There are some minor sections of carving probably missing to sides of cresting.
"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."

This magnificent mirror, with its frame depicting allegories of the Four Continents, belongs stylistically to a group of furniture dating from the second quarter of the 18^th century (see Alvar González-Palacios and Edi Baccheschi, Il Mobile in Liguria, Genoa, 1996).

The sumptuousness and richness of the carving details on this mirror is not dissimilar to the table representing the Continents sold Sotheby's, Alberto Bruni Tedeschi Collection, 21st March 2007, lot 46, now in the Venaria Reale - convey the grandeur of the interiors of Genoese palaces belonging to the local aristocracy and reflects in form and style the French Régence mirrors being produced in the early 18^th century although interpreted by Italian craftsmen.

A mirror by Bartolomeo Steccone, in the Galleria di Palazzo Rosso, is comparable in the use of carved figures including nereids - a typical Genoese motif, see also furniture suite from Salone Dorato, Palazzo Carrega-Cataldi, Genova - to the frame, and another mirror sold in these rooms (3^rd December 1997, lot 91, £90,000, illustrated in Giuseppe Morazzoni, Il Mobile Genovese, 1949, p.90) also share the same type of exuberant mirrored border enriched with figures.