All of the furniture that I have presented and will present in this series by Elijah Galusha are original to 59 Second Street in Troy, NY; the current home of Rensselaer Historical Society.
The images below present a Rococo mirror and it’s matching drapery cornices supplied by Galusha in 1851. He not only made furniture “in all the different kinds of wood” but also manufactured “mirror cornices, picture frames, and every description of gilt work!”, according to an 1865 receipt.
(click for enlarged view)
The pier mirror between the windows is believed to have been supplied by Galusha in 1847
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I am fairly certain that the Rococo wall mirror, cornices and probably the pier mirror too are composition and / or plaster (not carved wood – as evidenced by the age cracks) as most of the gilt items like these of the period are.
Here is a good page of info on composition (aka compo) if you are not familiar with it: http://www.nps.gov/history/HPS/tps/briefs/brief34.htm , here is another replicating a compo frame: http://tinyurl.com/yhbthxh woodwright
I was looking for mirror cornices for my daughters room, something fancy. Like Victorian Era… Any ideas where to find something like that? Thank you,
Monica
Monica, There are not many makers of cornices today that I am aware of. One of the few that I am aware of is here: http://www.interiormall.com/cat/ndisplaycoll.asp?c1=Curtain+Rods&book=454 (copy and paste the link to your browser if it is not a live link). They are however very pricey. They may inspire you with a design you like to create your own. I could custom make you anything pictured there or otherwise (i can be contacted through the members tab). A local cabinetmaker to you could also probably make something for you. Ebay is another good choice. Occasionally you will find them there – but again they are generally not cheap. Ebay has a category for “Pediments” here: http://antiques.shop.ebay.com/Pediments-/162936/i.html?_catref=1 You may find something there that might work for you. Or you can save a favorite search for ” window cornice” or whatever you’d like if you don’t find what you’re looking for and they will e-mail you when new listings occur (you have to be a register user for this feature). Good luck. woodwright