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Lot Essay
This elegant mirror, with its female mask cresting flanked by cherubs and flower-filled baskets is distinctive of the work of Burchard Precht (d. 1738). 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.
One noted aspect of Precht's oeuvre is the use of finely detailed gilt-lead mounts, such as those seen on this mirror. A related mirror incorporating cherubs with trumpets is illustrated in G. Upmark, Möbler, Stockholm, 1912, vol. I, fig. 26. Another related mirror is illustrated in S. Wallin, Nordiska Museets Möbler fran Svenska Herremanshem, Stockholm, 1931, vol. I, figs. 335 and 337.
One noted aspect of Precht's oeuvre is the use of finely detailed gilt-lead mounts, such as those seen on this mirror. A related mirror incorporating cherubs with trumpets is illustrated in G. Upmark, Möbler, Stockholm, 1912, vol. I, fig. 26. Another related mirror is illustrated in S. Wallin, Nordiska Museets Möbler fran Svenska Herremanshem, Stockholm, 1931, vol. I, figs. 335 and 337.