Museum of Fine Arts, Boston: The Museum Year 2011
The Year
Acquisitions
Art of the Americas: July 2009–June 2011
Pier looking-glass
about 1850–60
Possibly by Doe, Hazelton & Co.
Overall: 276.9 x 106.7 x 35.6 cm (109 x 42 x 14 in.)
Pine with gesso, composition, and gold leaf; marble, glass
Classification: Furniture
Object Place: Boston, Massachusetts
Accession number: 2010.599
Location: The Heide Family Galleries (Roswell Gleason House: Parlor)
Description: Tall looking glass surrounded by a carved and gilt rococo-revival style frame, surmounted by a carved and pierced cornice with scrolls and foliage; near the base a serpentine-front marble shelf of grey-veined white marble is supported by two gilt scrolling brackets. Pieces of newspaper adhered to the back are taken from the "Puritan Recorder," published in Boston from 1848-1859.
Provenance/Ownership History: From the home of Roswell Gleason, Dorchester, Mass.; by descent in the family to Mary V. Bowker; about 1977, acquired by Louisa Fairbanks; 2010, gift of Jonathan and Louisa Fairbanks to the MFA.
Gift of Jonathan and Louisa Fairbanks in honor of Mary Bowker