French Neoclassical Mahogany Shaving Mirror

• Mahogany - Mahogany is a dense, close grained red-coloured timber from the West Indies and Central America. It was first imported into Europe in the the early 18th century and its use continued through the 19th century. It was popular for furniture making because of its strength, the wide boards available, the distinctive grain on some boards, termed flame mahogany and the rich warm colour of the timber when it was polished.. The "flame" was produced where a limb grew out from the trunk of the tree, and this timber was usually sliced into veneers for feature panels on doors, backs and cornices.
  
  Some terms used to describe mahogany relate to the country from which it originally came, such as "Cuban" mahogany, "Honduras" mahogany etc. However unless the wood has been tested the names assigned are more a selling feature, rather than a true indication of the timber's origin.
• Fluting - A form of decoration found on many pieces of furniture, as well as ceramics, silver and clocks, in which round-bottomed grooves, of varying width and depth, are let into columns, pilasters, legs. As a general rule, flutes are cut in the vertical, though they may follow a turned leg in a spiral pattern. In cross-section, they may be described as a series of 'U' shapes, rising and narrowing at each end of the groove. Fluting is the opposite of reeding, with which fluting is often associated.
• Column - An architectural feature sometimes used for decorative effect and sometimes as part of the supporting construction. Columns should generally taper slightly towards the top. They may be plain or decorated with carving, fluting or reeding. Columns may be fully rounded or, more commonly, half-rounded and attached with glue, screws or pins to the outer stiles of doors, or the facing uprights on cabinets and bureaux.
• Anthemion -
  An anthemion is a classical decorative design element based on the acanthus flower that consists of a central circular or oval motif surrounded by radiating petals or leaves. It is often used as a border or frieze in architecture, furniture, and other decorative arts. The anthemion is derived from the palmette, a motif that was popular in ancient Greek and Roman art and architecture. It is often associated with the classical world and with Neoclassical style, and it is often used to add a sense of grandeur and formality to a design. The anthemion is also known as a honeysuckle or honeysuckle ornament. It continues to be used in a variety of contexts today, and it is often admired for its elegant and decorative qualities.
  
  
• Panels - Timber pieces, usually of well-figured wood either recessed or applied over the frames of doors and as decoration elsewhere in the carcase of cabinet furniture. The panels may take a variety of shapes rectangular, square, shield shape, oval, half-round or in the form of Egyptian pylons.

This item has been included into following indexes:

• mirrors, toilet or dressing
  • French 13
  • mahogany 232
  • shaving 24
  • Victorian 215