Looking glass

DateCa. 1800

MediumDeal, glass, gesso, gilt, and paint

DimensionsOH: 40 1/2"; OW: 30"; OD: 2 3/4"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1971-373,2

DescriptionPillar looking glass; rectangular frame with coved cornice molding at top with projecting sections at each end; below cornice are three églomisé panels, one at center with a black border surrounding a rectangular bordered and patterned reserve containing an oval painting of an allegorical depiction of Hope, a woman by a tree leaning on an anchor with a ship in the background; églomisé panels in projecting sections have a black border around a lighter rectangle with stars in each corner and an oval painting of a female figure: the proper right figure is an allegoricaly figure of Charity, a woman seated with a child and an oval shield, the proper left is an allegorical depiction of Faith, a woman holding a tall cross; below the central panel is a mirrored glass; below the projecting panels are pairs of gilded, fluted, and carved pilasters with composite capitals flanking églomisé panels of painted fluted pillars with alternating leaf and floral vines wound around them; plain base projects below pilasters and is carved with a leaf motif at center.
Label TextNeoclassical looking glasses often incorporated églomisé panels. Painted on the reverse of the glass, the three panels across the top of this looking glass depict the classically garbed allegorical figures of Faith, Hope, and Charity (spiritual love). Central to Christianity, these three theological virtues appeared on mourning art of the period as well as on jewelry and other tokens from loved ones.