A George II carved giltwood mirror. circa 1745
A George II carved giltwood mirror. circa 1745
the architectural broken pediment with an eagle cresting above a replaced rectangular bevelled plate flanked by a pair of male herm figures, re-gilded, the pediment with some later elements. 237cm. high, 146.5cm. wide; 7ft. 9½ in., 4ft. 9¾ in. Est. 40,000—60,000 GBP
PROVENANCE: Anonymous sale, in these Rooms, 8 April 1983, lot 57.
Anonymous sale, in these Rooms, 3 July 2003, lot 60.
LITERATURE AND REFERENCES: Graham Child, World Mirrors, 1990, p. 104, fig. 117.
NOTE: The boldly architectural frame featuring vigorous figural elements to its design such as an eagle cresting and herm pilasters, epitomise the early early 18th century phase of Palladian-inspired classical taste in England, promoted by William Kent and his circle. Other details such as the dense acanthus foliage and c-scrolls to the surround and apron, anticipate the vogue for rococo ornament of the 1750s featured in the pattern books of Thomas Chippendale and his contemporaries. One such comparison is provided by Chippendale's drawing of a pedimented mirror circa 1750, which shares similar scrolling foliate ornament and a pierced apron centred by a mask (see Peter Ward-Jackson, English Furniture Designs of the 18th Century, 1958, pl. 116). However the sculptural elements appear more closely aligned to an anonymous drawing for a mirror circa 1740 (see Peter Ward-Jackson op. cit., pl. 26). Bearded masks such as those frequenting the present mirror are also firmly associated with Matthias Lock's repertoire of ornament as typified by a drawing for a side table in the Victoria and Albert Museum illustrated in Christopher Gilbert, Furniture at Temple Newsam House and Lotherton Hall, 1978, vol. II, p. 354, pl. 446.
Sotheby's. Important Furniture, Silver, Ceramics and Clocks. 07 Jul 09 03:00 PM. London www.sothebys.com