March 1, 2010
Aesop’s Mirror, A Love Story
Maryalice Huggins discusses her newly published book Aesop’s Mirror, A Love Story
4PM, Sunday March 14th 2010 at Macomber Community House
930 Main Road, Westport MA 02790
Aesop’s Mirror is the story about an antique restorer’s obsession with a mirror she bought at a country auction in Rhode Island in 1995. The rococo style of the frame is based on a fable, The Fox and the Grapes. In a search to discover the frame’s maker, and what period it was manufactured, the reader is introduced to players in the high-end world of antiques and decorative arts. In the process of seeking documentation, the narrator traces the mirror back to the original owners, the Woods, a wealthy 19th century family from Providence. There are elements of a love story, of mid-19th century politics, of insider gossip about today’s restoration/antiques business, of curatorial education, of a treasure hunt. The book addresses the mystery of why we are attracted to rare and beautiful things.
Maryalice Huggins is a restorer and gilder of antique mirrors. She has worked for museums, interior decorators, and private collectors. For more information please contact Westport Historical Society 508 636 6011