A gilt wood triple plate wall mirror with chariot frieze. Inverted breakfront cornice having corvetto ball decoration. The chariot in the frieze is drawn by lions accompanied by heralds and maidens. circa 1820/30.
Our favourite detail is to one of the followers. Within the centre of his shield can be seen the image of a face!
The whole in good antique condition with an appealing, naturally aged appearance. Just enough reassuring wear from almost 200 years of use. Minimal losses to gilt and gesso edges, some evidence of the red undercoat showing through. Slight foxing of the bevel edged mirrors.
In Greek mythology Cybele was an earth goddess and the harvest mother goddess. Some city states evoke her as a protector often depicted in a procession as a goddess who arrives in a lion drawn chariot to the accompaniment of wild music, wine and a disorderly, ecstatic following.
In Rome Cybele was known as Magna Mater (Great Mother). The Roman state adopted and developed a particular form of her cult. Within the frieze on follower carries the ancient Imperial Roman symbol ‘fasces’, a bundle of sticks featuring an axe head. This indicates the power of life over death.
Dimensions in CM
H 88.5 L 141 D 11
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.