An Italian carved giltwood and painted faux marble mirror, Venetian mid 18th century

the rectangular plate within a moulded frame surmounted by a pierced cresting with a trefoil shaped boss, the frame carved with scrolls floral trails and applied with painted faux marble heart shaped motifs and cabochons

The acanthus scroll on the apron shows evidence of previous restoration. A section of the glass from below the right shaped reserve is missing but can easily be replaced. There is a crack in the glass to the right of the heart shaped reserve. There are some minor losses to the faux marble decoration as visible from photograph, which can easily be restored. The pierced giltwood decoration at the angle of the inner frame has been restored. Some restoration to acanthus leaf on cresting. It has been strengthened from behind. A most unusual mirror in overall very good conserved condition.
"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:
H. Huth, Lacquer of the West, London, 1971, pls. 103 & 104.
C. Santini, Mille Mobili Veneti, L'arredo domestico in Veneto dal sec. XV al sec XIX Venezia, Volume III, Modena, p. 245, fig. 421 and p. 246, fig. 423.
Graham Child, World Mirrors, London, 1990, p. 261, fig. 546 and 547.  
A. G.-Palacios, Il Tempio del Gusto, Il Granducato di Toscana e gli Stati Settentrionali, Milan,1984, Vol I, Lacca e madreperla, p. 313-316 and Vol. II, pp. 334-336, plates 712, 714-716 inc.

This rare and magnificent mirror is one of the largest and most ambitious Venetian examples decorated with faux marble cabochons instead of the more usual decoration of imitating Oriental lacquer and mother-of-pearl inlay. Whilst the use of cabochons on Venetian mirrors is a common decorative device those decorated to simulate marble are rarely found.This mirror in terms of its scale, grandiosity and fluidity of the carving makes it one of the finest examples of Venetian rococo mirrors. 

Santini, op. cit., p. 245, fig. 421, illustrates a related mirror in faux tortoiseshell and faux marble inlaid with mother-of-pearl. It is interesting to note that many of these related Venetian examples have the giltwood trailing motifs and scrolls carved in a similar vein, which may indicate a specific workshop and the carving on this mirror is very fluid and fine and may well be by a carver such as Domenico Rossetti (Venice 1650-Verona 1736). 

A similar mirror with identical bosses applied to the projecting angles was sold in these Rooms, 10th June 1999, lot 60.