Carving, 18th - 19th Century

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Made in 1/12th scale by Wm. R. Robertson

 

Carving can be very relaxing or extremely frustrating. Robertson finds it both at the same time. Some pieces are all about the carving while in others, it is one of many elements.

 

The latest piece which has extensive carving is this Danish rococo style mirror. He saw the original years ago in Copenhagen and noticed the strange subject matter of the carving. Instead of birds or flowers as most rococo carving is intertwined around, this mirror has keys and tools used by a lock maker. There is speculation that this must have been made for a Locksmith’s Guildhall in the mid 18th Century. Mirrors were often used to help light a dark room as opposed to looking at a person's reflection. The room may have these in opposite pairs, as is typical in the period, behind wall mounted candle sconces to magnify the candle light making the room brighter.