Category Archives: Mirrors & Girandoles
A George I Simulated Tortoiseshell Girandole – Part Four
The candle arms required only the minimum of fettling prior to gold lacquering them to match the gilding on the frame. A suspension wire was attached to the back of the girandole and the candle arm mounts were then screwed … Continue reading
A George I Simulated Tortoiseshell Girandole – Part Three
As has been mentioned here before, imitating tortoiseshell on furniture has been achieved with varying degrees of realism down the centuries. The tortoiseshell backgrounds of japanned work often consisted of nothing more complex than random daubs of opaque black paint … Continue reading
A George I Simulated Tortoiseshell Girandole – Part Two
The pine girandole frame consists of two parts; the main fretted frame, and a thinner, moulded frame that is attached to the front of the fretted frame. Fig. 1. Half-lapped and mitred front frame. Fig. 2. Front frame and fretted … Continue reading
A George I Simulated Tortoiseshell Girandole – Part One
Virginia and I have decided upon an early Georgian simulated tortoiseshell girandole to hang in a bedroom, however I couldn’t find an image of precisely what I had in mind, so I’m going to take a degree of liberty with … Continue reading
A George II Walnut Fretwork Mirror – Part Three
Following the calamity with the first looking glass (and pitiless connivery between my roving agent and Melissa Varga to convince me I had ordered a plain replacement glass), I am finally in possession of a second bevelled plate. My agent … Continue reading
Bad Luck…
If one is to believe the omen, I am to suffer seven years of misfortune! I had just finished ageing the looking glass and was flipping it over when, with great ambisinister aplomb, I let it slip, smashing it to … Continue reading
A George II Walnut Fretwork Mirror – Part Two
As with the mirror frame stock I have previously written about, the stock for this mirror consists of blocks of walnut glued – at 90° – onto a core which in this instance is also walnut. Cushion moulding (so named … Continue reading
A George II Walnut Fretwork Mirror – Part One
I don’t consider myself an overly vain individual – truth be told, I prefer to avert my gaze when I catch sight of my own reflection (cue disparaging witticisms and raucous laughter from the back stalls). However, I do like … Continue reading
Girandole and Mirror Frame Moulding
To a reader, I promised (and promptly forgot) to post an image of the cross section of the frame stock used for the recent Pair of George II Walnut Girandoles and Two Small Mirrors. A little tardy, for which I … Continue reading
A pair of George II Walnut Girandoles – Part Five
The candle branches I ordered from the brass foundry on December 15th have arrived! Huzzah! Dealing with Marshall Brass is one of the most perfunctory experiences one is ever likely to encounter. Drawing blood from a stone would be a … Continue reading
Pegs and 'Tails 