Neoclassical Giltwood Trumeau with Greek Fret Motifs

An antique neoclassical giltwood trumeau, 19th century, of…
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An antique neoclassical giltwood trumeau, 19th century, of breakfront form with ribbon, bead and Greek fret motifs in relief to the pediment, the glass flanked by reeded pilasters with hybrid Ionic and Corinthian capitals, length 125 cm, width 74 cm

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  • Pilasters - In furniture a pilaster is a flattened column-like detail

    applied to furniture. It is similar to a pilaster in architecture, but it is

    typically smaller and less ornate. Pilasters are often used to decorate the

    fronts of bookcases, cabinets, and other pieces of furniture. Pilasters can be

    made of wood, metal, or other materials. They can be fluted, carved, or plain.

    Pilasters are often used to add a touch of elegance and sophistication to

    furniture.

  • Breakfront - A design generally found in larger pieces of furniture, such as bookcases, wardrobes and some sideboards. The line of the front is interrupted by the middle section standing out from each end. In a reverse breakfront, the centre section is recessed behind each end. Breakfronted pieces are usually made in three sections the middle and the two wings which are held together by the cornice and pediment, and the plinth on which it stands. The sensible buyer should show caution before buying breakfront pieces, especially bookcases, which are highly desirable and expensive. Always check that the timber, colour, patination, backboards, decoration and thickness of the wood are same in each section.
  • Pediment - The uppermost section of a tall usually double-heightened piece of cabinet furniture, surmounting the cornice. The pediment can take a variety of forms derived from the architecture of classical antiquity. A broken pediment is of triangular shape, however, the two raised sides do not meet at the apex but are 'broken' the gap between them often ornamented with an urn or finial. Swan-neck pediments are of similar form, although the uprights are gracefully arched, resembling a swan's neck. They are often found, for example, on longcase clocks.
  • Giltwood - Giltwood is used to describe a gold finish on furniture and other decorative wooden items, whereby a thin sheet of gold metal, called gold leaf, is applied to the surface for decorative purposes.

    Unlike gilding, where the gold leaf is applied over a coating of gesso, with giltwood the gold leaf is applied direct to the surface, or over a coat of linseed oil gold leaf adhesive.

    Most gold-finished mirrors will be gilded, whereas furniture with gold highlights will have the gold applied through the giltwood method.
  • Reeding - A series of parallel, raised convex mouldings or bands, in section resembling a series of the letter 'm'. The opposite form of fluting, with which it is sometimes combined. Reeding is commonly found on chair legs, either turned or straight, on the arms and backs of chairs and couches and around table edges in the Neoclassical or Classical Revival manner. Reeding was also used as a form of decoration during the Edwardian period, but it is usually much shallower and evidently machine made.
  • Trumeau - A trumeau mirror is usually rectangular in shape, with a decorative painted panel above the mirror. Most antique trumeau mirrors are highly ornate and often gilded.

    They were originally manufactured in France in the 18th century, but became popular agina in the Regency period and in the 1950's.

    Trumeau mirrors were originally intended to hang on a wall between windows, providing a decorative element and bringing more light to the room.

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