Mike Mascelli writes:
As many of you know my preferred work is upholstery, and
it was tack bangin that led me to this most unusual project.
It seems that the subject mirror has been in the family of
my best customer since it was made, which my research
shows was about 1790 to 1795.
I was very fortunate to get help in that work from Don Williams,
and Kingsley Greene who put me in front of a bunch of books
showing a bunch of very similar "looking glasses". I found two
that were very close matches, and borrowed elements from both.
The black and white photo is one of these.
There was no makers information at all on this piece.
This mirror was meant to impress guests in a big formal hallway.
The reason I took on this project was because of all of the
different techniques involved, veneering, carving, gilding, frenchin,
researching and the chance to work on something really special.
I had it in the shop for over six months, and happily lost track of
the time invested. This is not the kind of stuff I can rush.
I was fortunate that there were a few busted shards of old stuff in a
baggie, and that plus the photos put me on the track. I was able to
replace the missing veneer "tips" using some really old stock that
I had and the missing back braces with some pretty tight grained
old pine. The two bats wing pieces on the bottom are totally new.
I had one complete leaf from the wires on the sides plus some
flower pieces, and the rest were done in pine and plaster and
gilded just like the originals. Lotta time there.
The urn was carved from a solid block of pine, plastered and gilded,
and the top flowers and wheat were cast in plaster and molded a
little while wet. That took about three tries. I inserted a heavy wire
into the base of the urn, such that the urn and flowers and be easily
removed in one piece.
I had to piece-in some plaster on the moldings next to the glass,
but all of that veneer and band was in great shape. I really like
the way that the greenish blue came out in the shell inlay.
The finish is shellac, and all of the research pointed to a high
polish. All put together is it nearly six feet tall, and does tend
to grab your attention.
As you can see I got approval to make a storage and transport
case, and with the mirror inside it weighs enough for two people,
but it was necessary especially since the top and bottom curved
sections would be resting on the floor without it. I also made a
special rail from which to hang it since she didn't want wires
right up to the ceiling as original. I also provided a detailed
report including these same pictures.
It's possible that it will be loaned to a historical society that now
occupies the house we think the mirror came from originally,
I may get to hang it, and that would be pretty cool. And she
has promised me that NOW I can get to do some upholstery
on some equally old and equally interesting pieces.
MikeM