$300
James Todd Portland Looking Glass Manufactory (Portland Maine, 1820 - 1866), circa 1825. A Federal giltwood and eglomise tabernacle mirror, having a molded cornice with thirteen spherules over the rectangular reverse painted panel depicting a landscape with cottage and two figures walking within a foliate scrolling polychrome border above the rectangular mirror plate flanked to each side by a spiral molding. Mirror retains traces of the original label to backside. Approximate height 35.25". width 20", depth 4". Provenance: From the Estate of Dr. Woody Cobbs and Mrs. Honor Cobbs, Atlanta, Georgia. Note: Trained in Boston, James Todd came to Portland in 1820 and established his looking glass manufactory on Exchange Street. He operated the business until 1866, when it was destroyed by the Portland fire. Todd's mirrors often include painted scenes made by local artisans and a number of people believe Charles Codman did some of Todd’s reverse paintings on glass, as they were friends and contemporaries.
Auctioneer:
Ahlers & Ogletree Auction Gallery
Date:
2016-04-30
