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Lot Essay
This elaborately conceived mirror is based on a design executed by Robert Adam and published in his The Works in Architecture of 1773 (reproduced here). The Adam design differs primarilly in its highly embellished horizontally divided plate but lacks the carved details to the base. A mirror which incorporates the central carved elements of the Adam design, as well as the scrolled lower carved elements on this example is illustrated in H.Cescinsky, The Old-World House, vol.II, New York, 1924, p.226.
Attributes of this design also feature on mirrors supplied by Thomas Chippendale in the 1770's. Certainly, Chippendale's working relationship with Adam is well-known and the classical vocabulary on this mirror would have been repeated in the architectural elements of the room for which it was intended. A similar paterae-and-swag embellished panel on a husk-draped frame appears on a set of four pier glasses supplied by Chippendale in around 1773 for the salon at Brocket Hall, Hertfordshire (see C.Gilbert, The Life and Work of Thomas Chippendale, London, 1978, vol.II, pp.162-163, figs.292-294). Another suite of pier glasses probably designed by Thomas Chippendale Junior for the salon at Burton Constable, Yorkshire in 1778-1779 incorporates palmettes and an interspersed fluted frame (C.Gilbert, op.cit., pp.164-165, pl.295-298). An unusual silvered overmantel with 'Elegant Frame...with Antique Ornaments' composed with a similar boldly scrolled cresting centering an urn and sides with medallions issuing acanthus scrolls is documented in a 1776 invoice for Harewood House, Yorkshire. This mirror was sold on behalf of the Trustees of the Harewood Charitable Trust, Christie's London, 25 June 1987, lot 78.
The printed label affixed to the back of this mirror appears to date from the early nineteenth century and may be that of a retailer although the name Robinson's does not appear in the London directories.
Attributes of this design also feature on mirrors supplied by Thomas Chippendale in the 1770's. Certainly, Chippendale's working relationship with Adam is well-known and the classical vocabulary on this mirror would have been repeated in the architectural elements of the room for which it was intended. A similar paterae-and-swag embellished panel on a husk-draped frame appears on a set of four pier glasses supplied by Chippendale in around 1773 for the salon at Brocket Hall, Hertfordshire (see C.Gilbert, The Life and Work of Thomas Chippendale, London, 1978, vol.II, pp.162-163, figs.292-294). Another suite of pier glasses probably designed by Thomas Chippendale Junior for the salon at Burton Constable, Yorkshire in 1778-1779 incorporates palmettes and an interspersed fluted frame (C.Gilbert, op.cit., pp.164-165, pl.295-298). An unusual silvered overmantel with 'Elegant Frame...with Antique Ornaments' composed with a similar boldly scrolled cresting centering an urn and sides with medallions issuing acanthus scrolls is documented in a 1776 invoice for Harewood House, Yorkshire. This mirror was sold on behalf of the Trustees of the Harewood Charitable Trust, Christie's London, 25 June 1987, lot 78.
The printed label affixed to the back of this mirror appears to date from the early nineteenth century and may be that of a retailer although the name Robinson's does not appear in the London directories.