Frame with Painting and Mirror
Peruvian Viceroyalty, Potosí (Bolivia), ca. 1780
Chased and repoussé silver featuring openwork;
with wooden structure
Chased and repoussé silver featuring openwork;
with wooden structure
Height 133.5 cm, width 122.8 cm
The abundant silver mines of the Americas, particularly in the Peruvian Viceroyalty, allowed for the creation of ornate silverwork for both religious and domestic use. This frame, containing a religious painting and a mirror, initially intended for two paintings, showcases the intricate craftsmanship of Potosí’s Rococo silverwork. Despite the replacement of one painting with a mirror, the frame’s scale, craftsmanship, and motifs highlight its unique and creative character, emphasizing the creativity and personality of Potosí’s silverwork in Peru.
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