Antiques Hunter: French Rococo gilt mirror

 

This gilt mirror shows many attributes associated with French rococo design. The elaborateness of the decoration is typical of this era in design along with the extravagant curves and feminine form. The fact that it is a functional piece rather than a painting or sculpture is also significant, as rococo was first developed in decorative arts and interior design. A common characteristic of French rococo design is asymmetry which is present in the mirror. The material used creates a sumptuous look to the mirror which was sought after in 18^th century when French rococo design was prevalent in society.

The French Rococo era is often described as soft, voluptuous and vaguely erotic. Hunter-Stiebel (2008) stated that “The yin-passive, resilient, female creativity...- has an equally long history that reached its apex in the eighteenth-century style we call rococo.” The curved nature and finicky ornament of the frame reinforces what Hunter-Stiebel wrote. The rococo style veers away from the geometric, masculine designs predominant in neo-classicism and concentrates on a more feminine and curvilinear style.

According to the Encyclopaedia Britannica (2012) “Rococo style represented a reaction against the ponderous design of Louis XIV’s Palace of Versailles and the official Baroque art of his reign. Several interior designers, painters, and engravers, developed a lighter and more intimate style of decoration... with delicate interlacing of curves and counter curves based on the fundamental shapes of the “C” and the “S,” as well as with shell forms and other natural shapes. Asymmetrical design was the rule. Light pastels, ivory white, and gold were the predominant colours, and Rococo decorators frequently used mirrors to enhance the sense of open space.” The design of the mirror clearly shows these characteristics and is an excellent representation of the French rococo design that was widespread in the early 18^th century.

Although French rococo was popular in the 18^th century the beauty in this piece would not be seen by all. Critics of the Rococo design period would declare this piece as ridiculous and confused. It’s over the top decoration intrudes beyond the frame to make what would be a practical object, impractical. Some would say it is frivolous and ephemeral, even symbolic of a corrupt society.

References:

Coffin, S., Davidson,G., Lupton, E., & Hunter-Stiebel, P. (2008). Rococo: The Continuing Curve, 1730-2008. New York City, United States of America: Assouline Publishing.

Rococo style. (2012). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/506448/Rococo-style

Design Persona

My name is Megan van der Poel and I come from a dairy farming family in a small rural town in Taranaki. I am currently living in Joan Stevens Hostel studying a Bachelor of Design Innovation with a minor in Marketing. Although moving to Wellington was a major change in my life I am really enjoying both the course and the city.

What lead me to design? The answer is my year 13 graphics teacher. I had always thought that I would go to Victoria University to study a Bachelor of Commerce and Administration. Business studies was a subject that I had achieved high marks in so I thought this is what I had to do, even though nothing about it excited me. The decision to swap degrees came after a talk with my graphics teacher who, after seeing the time and effort I put into graphics, simply told me that I had to pursue design. After talking with him I realised that he was right. Although I may be more naturally gifted at other subjects they were not what I was passionate about. Through the effort that I put into the subject I found that the work that I produced in graphics was of a high quality and something that I was proud of.

My inspiration in the field of design would have to be Walter Gropius and the Bauhaus design style that he employed. The idea of simplicity in design is the notion on which a lot of my concepts are based. However I am looking forward to learning about new designers in the hope to draw more inspiration and better my design ideas.

I hope that the completion of this course will allow me to pursue a career in design that I am passionate about. The idea of designing everyday products to help people live a better life is something that I would love to do. Though I do not wish to produce good designs, great design is what I strive for.