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Lot Essay
The name of Precht is closely associated with the production of mirrors of high quality in Sweden in the early part of the 18th century, and numerous examples are attributed to either Burchard Precht (d. 1738) or his sons Gustav (d. 1763) and Christian (d. 1779). Originally from Bremen, Burchard Precht arrived in Stockholm in 1674 to work at Drottingholm Palace and was named carver to the court in 1682. In 1687-88 he travelled to Rome and Paris with the court architect Nicodemus Tessin, which strongly influenced his work and led to many ecclesiastical commissions. His sons also achieved great success, with Christian becoming an important silversmith in Sweden during the mid-18th Century.
The present example stands out from the larger general group of examples attributed to Precht in that it bears a considerable comparison to a signed example by Burchard Precht (illustrated in T. Sylvén and E. Wellander Berggren, Speglar: Spegelmakare & Fabrikörer i Sverige 1650-1850, Stockholm, 2000, p. 196-197.) The two mirrors share very closely related etched strapwork decoration to the mirrored slips and cresting, although the present example is executed in giltwood and the signed example in gilt lead. The engraved mirror plates appear to be an indication of works executed towards the end of his activity.
The present example stands out from the larger general group of examples attributed to Precht in that it bears a considerable comparison to a signed example by Burchard Precht (illustrated in T. Sylvén and E. Wellander Berggren, Speglar: Spegelmakare & Fabrikörer i Sverige 1650-1850, Stockholm, 2000, p. 196-197.) The two mirrors share very closely related etched strapwork decoration to the mirrored slips and cresting, although the present example is executed in giltwood and the signed example in gilt lead. The engraved mirror plates appear to be an indication of works executed towards the end of his activity.