Early Dutch Ripple Molded Mirror 94x81 cm

A large scale early 18th century Dutch ripple molded ebony mirror retaining its exceptional original mirror plate.
Netherlands, circa 1700

Height 94cm (37 inches)
Width 81cm (32 inches)
Depth 10cm (4 inches)

Ripple moldings

Ripple moldings were purportedly first created in Germany in the early 17th century for frames and furniture. The ripple devices for making these moldings all use a pattern and follower system to duplicate a waveform onto a stock piece.

A well-known engraving and description can be found in Joseph Moxon’s Mechanick Exercises of 1678–80.

These types of mirrors are popularly associated with Dutch baroque frames, especially when executed in ebony and ebonised fruitwoods such as this one.