French Gilt Wood Pier Glass with Fleur de Lis
A 19th century French gilt wood pier glass, broken arch pediment, centred by a fleur de lis (faults)
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- Fleur-De-Lis - The fleur-de-lis is a stylized lily or iris flower with
three petals that has been used as a decorative motif for thousands of years. It
often appears in Christian iconography symbolising the Holy Trinity and as an
emblem that reflects the purity of the Virgin Mary. In decorative art and antiques
decoration, the fleur-de-lis is often used as a symbol of elegance, refinement,
and good taste.
The fleur-de-lis has a rich history and in ancient times, it
was associated with royalty, purity, and the divine, and it was used as a
symbol of the French monarchy for many centuries.
It is a common design element in ceramics, silverware, jewellery,
furniture, and other decorative objects, and it can be found in many different
styles and forms. - Pediment - The uppermost section of a tall usually double-heightened piece of cabinet furniture, surmounting the cornice. The pediment can take a variety of forms derived from the architecture of classical antiquity. A broken pediment is of triangular shape, however, the two raised sides do not meet at the apex but are 'broken' the gap between them often ornamented with an urn or finial. Swan-neck pediments are of similar form, although the uprights are gracefully arched, resembling a swan's neck. They are often found, for example, on longcase clocks.
- Giltwood - Giltwood is used to describe a gold finish on furniture and other decorative wooden items, whereby a thin sheet of gold metal, called gold leaf, is applied to the surface for decorative purposes.
Unlike gilding, where the gold leaf is applied over a coating of gesso, with giltwood the gold leaf is applied direct to the surface, or over a coat of linseed oil gold leaf adhesive.
Most gold-finished mirrors will be gilded, whereas furniture with gold highlights will have the gold applied through the giltwood method.
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