Of horizontal form in the original gilt gesso and encasing three shallowly beveled plates,
the narrow frame with burnished gilt scrolling foliate decoration within arches, all on a 'coined' or 'pounced' ground,
sided by scrolling acanthus foliage ends housing original revolving girandoles and engraved brass mounts,
the girandoles fire-gilt
 
   Condition : Excellent; original gilt and girandoles;
the backboard apparently original; the plates very good replacements with expected areas of flaking, losses and fogging
 
Note :
The tripartite plates of this period reflect the importance and great expense of glass.
The heat from candle flames on the revolving girandoles could crack the glass if they got too close,
thereby breaking the very thin plate. The small end plates could then be replaced at a far lesser cost.
Additionally, while glass technology had recently advanced to enable the larger plates,
glass was taxed on weight, that tax often being quite excessive.
   
19.75" High x 51" Wide x 2.5" Deep

SOLD