Pier Glass Frame, in Chippendale Drawings, Vol. I 1748 - 1758

This delicate Pier Glass Frame was sketched by Thomas Chippendale, in the 18th century, using pen and ink on paper. Note how the Rococo style swirls through the frame's design, echoing the natural world with its leaves and flowing lines. These motifs are not merely decorative; they are a continuation of ancient symbols of life and growth, seen in classical friezes and Renaissance frescoes. The acanthus leaves, for instance, are reminiscent of those adorning Roman temples, signifying prosperity and endurance. Consider the mirror’s symbolic weight—an object reflecting not just our physical selves but also our innermost thoughts and desires. Throughout history, the mirror has appeared as a symbol of vanity but also of introspection. This Rococo design, with its roots in antiquity, suggests a cyclical return to these primal symbols, reimagined through the lens of contemporary taste and aspiration, engaging with our collective memory.