top of page

Venetian 18th-19th Century Rococo Dragon and Bird Mirror unpainted

Supplied unfinished without the acrylic mirror

The original mirror has been for sale on 1stDIBS. The description of it from the website is here: 

 

"The mirrors were likely made slightly later in the 19th century but in the same Italian region, and appear to have a more Japanese influence in their design especially the hawk/eagle leaning over the top of the mirror. The giltwood frames of the mirrors are completely covered with gilded branches and leaves. On the left side of each mirror is a ''fantastical'' dragon-bird, his huge wings spread out and his long tail clinging around the lower branches. He looks up into the eyes of the top hawk/eagle who appears ready to attack the dragon-bird. The whole is a real virtuoso display of carving and whimsical Rococo design. Chippendale in England and his contemporaries were some of the first cabinet makers to design furniture in the Rococo style, the term taken from the French ''Rocaille'' (rockwork), as in fantasy constructions such as grottoes. The style originated in France early in the 18th century when there was a reaction against the weighty classicism of the Baroque style. The consequent taste was for something lighter representing an escape from the stifling, self-conscious grandeurs of the Louis XIV period. As pioneered by designers such as Jean Berain and Pierre Lepautre, the Rococo was characterised by pale bright colours and fluent arabesques. Essentially a style of interior decoration, it consisted of more or less riotous displays of C and S scrolls and curves, created from stylized stretches of foliage, flowers, rocks, shells, and cascades, and often grotesque figures of monkeys, birds and human beings. The style flourished in England, France, and especially Italy (Venice)."

Made from resin

 

Sold individually

 

Dimensions Top to bottom  7.5cm x internal diameter  2.3cm x 3cm oval  x max width  4.5cm

 

NOTES

Resin Items

All resin items come unfinished (unless stated otherwise) and will require a small amount of "cleaning" - this will involve removing any printing support nodules using a sharp knife and or snips and also sanding sections to a smooth finish. This is very easy to do and takes minutes.

Always prime the resin item after any assembly. The primer will help to stick the paint to the surface. Once primed you can proceed with any paint finish you prefer from gilding to aged paint finishing. 

 

Pewter Items

As with all my  designs the pieces will require a little cleaning using a file and/or sandpaper. The metal is very soft so this is a simple and satifying part of the build process. 

I tend to use superglue (Hafixx being my favoured choice) with a super glue activator to speed things up. 

 

To paint the item I strongly recommend a metal primer. Spray primers are the easiest and just a light coat with give the paint something to 'key' with......then the choice is yours. I use all types of paints from acrylics to cellulose spray paints. All have their own merits and so I choose according to the finish I wish to create. 

After applying my coats of paint I will always add an aging layer of raw umber acrylic (water it down and then paint and wipe off to leave the dark paint in the recesses). Aging can be very rewarding and there are many options for this. One little recommendation is to use rotten stone/pumice stone powder to add what I like to describe as "dust" to the piece. It is a powder and will always be a powder unless mixed with a binder such as glue. The powder is a soft grey and if it is brished on then off it will leave a slight dusting in the recesses of the design. 

A final flourish of splatter (very subtle brown/grey applied with by splattering the paint from a bristled brush such as a toothbrush) adds a little more interest. 

Venetian 18th-19th Century Rococo Dragon and Bird Mirror unpainted

SKU: 238
£9,90Prezzo
  • If you do not like your purchase  and wish to return it to me then please let me know within 14 days of receipt. The items will need to be returned within 30 days of receipt. I shall refund the carriage costs to you and the cost of the item but the return carriage will be covered by you. Please email me.

    Faulty or damaged?

    If you receive an item that has been damaged in transit or is faulty then please inform us within 14 days of receipt. The items will need to be returned within 30 days of receipt. I shall refund in full thel posting fees and the original invoice value including the postage fee. Please email me.

bottom of page