Carlton Hobbs 9418

December 4 2009, 12:29pm

Term of the Day: Gesso 12/4/09

Detail of one of a pair of giltwood neoclassical mirrors in the manner of J. C. Lillie.

Gesso is a mixture of calcium carbonate and animal glue which was used as a primer for paintings on wood panel, and for gilding. It could also be used as a sculpture material similar to plaster. The present image shows some of the carved gesso decoration of this pair of mirrors.

To see more of this pair of mirrors, visit: carltonhobbs.com/viewDetail.asp?strReference=9418