Hawthornes Antiques

Description

A gilt wood triple plate wall mirror with chariot frieze. Inverted breakfront cornice having corvetto ball decoration. The classical frieze being a chariot drawn by lions accompanied by heralds and maidens.

Our favourite little detail is to one of the chariots followers. Within the centre of his shield can be seen the image of a face!

The whole in good antique condition with an appealing, naturally aged feel. Just enough reassuring wear from almost two centuries of use. Losses to gilt and gesso edges, some evidence of the red undercoat showing through, minimal foxing of bevel edged mirrors.

In Greek mythology Cybele was an earth goddess and the harvest mother goddess. Some city states evoke her as a protector often depicted in a procession as a goddess who arrives in a lion drawn chariot to the accompaniment of wild music, wine and a disorderly ecstatic following.

In Rome Cybele was known as Magna Mater (Great Mother). The Roman state adopted and developed a particular form of her cult. Within the frieze one follower carries the ancient Imperial Roman symbol 'fasces', a bundle of sticks featuring an axe. This indicates the power of life over death.