A PORTUGUESE GILTWOOD MIRROR

This mirror and console table (lot 62), reflect the richness of the artistic production for the court and aristocracy following the economic prosperity in Portugal during the reign of King John V (1706-1750). Resulting mainly from the successful trade of goods, such as gold and diamonds brought from Brazil, this wealth certainly influenced the lavish style of furniture produced around the mid-18th century. Stylistically, they are not dissimilar from carved and giltwood examples produced in Italy during the same period. This rocaille style continued to be favoured and reached its apogee under the reign of King Joseph I (1750-1777).
Various related consoles and mirrors are conserved at the Fondation Ricardo Do Espirito Santo Silva in Lisbon and are illustrated in A. De Brethencourt & F. Jardim de Oliveira, Ricardo do Espirito Santo Silva Foundation, Lisbon, 1995, p. 70 and F. Castro Freire, Mobiliario, Lisbon, 2002, vol. 2, pp. 245-247 (inv. 284 and 800).