Looking Glass

Attributed to Isaac Platt American

1829–35

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 738

In the design of this looking glass, sculptural fleur-de-lis corner brackets are accompanied by repeating Neoclassical bands and acanthus-like motifs to frame an impressive length of mirrored plate glass. In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, large glasses aided in the amplification of sun- and lamplight within a room. They were often placed either horizontally over fireplaces or vertically between windows. This looking glass, one of a pair (see 1979.393.2), bears some stylistic and construction similarities to labeled examples from the shop of Isaac L. Platt, a looking-glass manufacturer and retailer active from 1815 to 1843 on Broadway in New York City.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Title: Looking Glass
Maker: Attributed to Isaac Platt (1793–1875)
Date: 1829–35
Geography: Made in New York, New York, United States
Culture: American
Medium: Glass, gesso
Dimensions: 35 1/2 x 65 3/16 in. (90.2 x 165.6 cm)
Credit Line: Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Leo D. Bretter, 1979
Object Number: 1979.393.1
Curatorial Department: The American Wing

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Looking Glass, Isaac Platt American, Glass, gesso, American — Looking Glass
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