The best place to view Pier Mirror in the Wentworth-Gardner House is not directly in front of it, but near the doorway of the formal parlor. From that angle, the mirror reflects the same scene of the yard outside that is depicted in the reverse painting directly above the glass.

The painting is by Marbet Wolfson of Exeter, while the mirror and frame are by Ron Tuveson of Rollinsford. The mirror is 12 karat white gold gilded glass in a frame of 22 karat gold gilding on basswood. The blocky frame resembles the quoins at the corners of the house.

The new art and furniture is part of an exhibit called “Inspired Creations,” which runs through Oct. 13. All the work was inspired by the historic house in Portsmouth and created by artists with studios in the Salmon Falls Mills in Rollinsford.   

Built in 1760, the Wentworth-Gardner house is a prime example of the American Georgian style. This type of architecture was popular in the 18th century during the British reign of King George, and it was similar to English precedents. It’s characterized by symmetry and regularity in structure, often including a centered front door with crown molding and a chimney at each side of the low-pitched roof with little overhang.   

The house was built by the Wentworth family, a prominent colonial family in New Hampshire. The interior is enhanced with decorative moldings and there are parlors with fireplaces on both sides of a traditional hallway.

“The house is Georgian and since the pieces are inspired by the house, they carry some of the same characteristics,” said tour guide Kevin Maier.

The house’s traditional carvings are replicated in a windmill cut from maple wood by Venera Gattonini that sits on one of the mantels, as well as the mahogany “Federal Basket of Fruit” by Allan Breed. Though better known for his elegant and accurate reproductions of 18th century furniture, Breed also has on display a unique variation. The “Tripod Table” is made of pine but is painted with an exaggerated dark, wood-grain pattern. Rather than having three supporting legs of the table branch off at the bottom of a central post, the legs are elongated and curve out in a moustache shape right under the round surface.         

His son, Sam Breed, has a time piece in the exhibit. His “Massachusetts Shelf Clock” is made of mahogany, tiger maple veneer and pine. The golden spire at the top is reminiscent of a trophy. It has already sold for $3,500.

The most expensive piece of furniture on display, at $12,000, is a folding desk by Bruce Eaton, called “Secretaire en portfeuille.” Made from black cherry and cherry veneers, the desk folds and locks to become unobtrusive and private but is sturdy when in writing position. Its arched shape is like the window at the top of the stairs on the first landing.

The “Makore Cabinet” by Matt Wajda has two doors to store liquor inside and a water-resistant top surface. It is made of several types of wood, each with a different but complementary grain. The tall, thin legs and chrome knobs are dainty and spare.

In another parlor, another fantastic mirror hangs. This ghost mirror by Brian E. Gulick reflects blurry images, though there are clear mirrors on the outside edges of the satinwood frame. Inside the frame, there’s textured silver with pebble shaped indentations. Below this, “Rosy’s Table 3,” by David S. Leach, has a tilted top like some traditional models, but the pine is painted in a faux black-and-white marble print.

The two “Tut Lamps” by John May, who may have named them for the wooden pyramid-shaped bases, are modern and versatile pieces with clean lines. The “Bake, Peel, Boil, Rest Bench” by Lynn Szymanski is also a modern take on furniture that evokes an earlier time, though not so distant. It sits in front of one of the fireplaces.

The house was most recently purchased by a group of preservation minded citizens who established The Wentworth-Gardner and Tobias Lear Houses Association. A portion of the proceeds from the exhibit benefit the houses.  

‘Inspired Creations’ runs through Oct. 13 at the Wentworth-Gardner House, 50 Mechanic St., Portsmouth. It’s open for tours Wendesday through Sunday, noon to 4 p.m., at $5 for adults and $2 for children. For more informatoin, call 603-436-4406.