Tortoise Shell & Ebonised Wood Rectangular Mirror
click the photo to enlarge
faux tortoise shell and ebonised wood mirror, of rectangular shape, 121 x 101 cm
You must be a subscriber, and be logged in to view price and dealer details.
Subscribe Now to view actual auction price for this item
When you subscribe, you have the option of setting the currency in which to display prices to $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.
This item has been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.
- Tortoiseshell - Tortoiseshell is a translucent material that comes from the horny carapace of a certain types of turtles, including the hawksbill turtle. It is often therefore mounted on a colour underground - often red - or inlaid with gold or silver thread, as seen in Boulle furniture.
The texture and colour nuances of the material are extremely important. Heated tortoiseshell can easily be formed into various shapes. Like other natural materials, tortoiseshell becomes more beautiful with use. In a time before plastic, tortoiseshell was widely used for small objects such as combs and powder compacts.
In 1973, the trade of tortoiseshell worldwide was banned under CITES (The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species). Prior to importing or exporting items containing tortoiseshell a CITES permit must be obtained. Tortoiseshell items cannot be traded on Ebay.
"Faux tortoiseshell", another case of man initiating nature, is made from old-style plastics such as celluloid and cellulos and is coloured with red, yellow and brown spots to imitate the genuine article. It is commonly used in glasses frames, musical instruments and costume jewellery. - Ebonised - Timber that has been stained or lacquered black in imitation of ebony. The process has been used since the Renaissance, but is most commonly found in late 19th century furniture, sometimes gilded and turned in imitation of bamboo. Furniture with an ebonised finish is not currently in vogue, and this is reflected in the price for such pieces.
- Faux - A French word meaning "false", but when used in decorative arts, the intention is not to deceive, but to simulate the decorative effects of the more expensive material it is imitating. The term " faux bois" meaning "false wood" refers to a furniture item that has been decorated with a marked grain (woodgrain finish) to imitate a more expensive timber.
Visually similar items
A 19th century Flemish ebony and tortoise shell effect mirror. 84 cm high, 71 cm wide
Sold by
in
for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.
A large Nicholas Dattner wall mirror, in Redgum with an inner ebony border, in excellent condition, 120 x 100 cm
Sold by
in
for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.
A superb French 19th century gilded mirror decorated with central cabochon. 193 cm x 137 cm.
Sold by
in
for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.
A Chinese wooden framed panel with carved ivory floral decoration. 57 cm x 41.5 cm.
Sold by
in
for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.