$21,330
Pair of Neoclassical Gilt Gesso and Pink Marble "Bilbao" Mirrors, Northwestern Spain, label of the importer Bernard Cermenati in Newburyport, Massachusetts, c. 1805-10, (imperfections), ht. 49 1/2, wd. 24 in. Literature: In The Looking Glass in America, 1700-1825, by Helen Comstock, a pair of similar Bilbao mirrors are illustrated, p. 80, fig. 53. Comstock writes, "Bilbao mirrors reached America about 1790-1810 in some thus far unexplored phase of [America's] trade with Europe. They take their name from Bilbao (formerly sometimes written Bilboa), a port in northwestern Spain near the French border that was frequented by American merchant ships in the 18th century. Note: Mirrors with labels reading: "Bernard Cermenati, Carver, Gilder, Picture Frame and Looking Glass Manufacturer, No. 10 State Street - Newburyport." minor repairs to some of the decorative elements, old gilt repaint, cracks and patching to some of the marble.
Auctioneer:
Skinner
Date:
2010-11-07
