FOLIATE-CARVED GILDED PIER MIRROR WITH UNTOUCHED SURFACE
Attributed to John Doggett
Boston, c. 1830
61″ x 33″
Condition: Excellent: Retaining original, undisturbed gilding, mirror plate and backboard.
The single mirror plate framed by engaged columns overlaid with foliate carving , terminating in each corner with large square rosettes.
Pier mirrors were designed to be placed against architectural piers between flanking windows or doors. Typically, they would have a pier table below them, usually with a mirror plate forming the back of the pier table below the top. This would create a virtually continuous column of mirror for the purpose of reflecting day or candle light into an otherwise dimly lighted room and would have the effect of making the pier table top appear to float out into the room. The gilded frame of the mirror was also intended to have the same decorative and practical effect of reflecting light.
M-BBO-1912274