CIRCA 1740

Details

A GEORGE II GILT-LEAD-MOUNTED AND GILTWOOD MIRROR
CIRCA 1740
The later rectangular plate in an eared panelled rectangular frame with stiff-leaf rim, surmounted by a foliate scrolling clasp with eagle's heads and paterae with a triangular pediment, chalked to the reverse 'E1106 XHARRIS' and 'E1260 SEABRA', inscribed in black crayon 'FROM HARRIS', and label to reverse inscribed 'HARRIS 8-9', regilt
58 x 41½ in. (147.5 x 105.5 cm.)

Provenance

The late Nelson Grimaldi Seabra; Christie's, New York, 8 April 2004, lot 297.

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 15% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Sale room notice

A small section of giltwood is missing from the lower right hand corner of this mirror. Christie's will arrange and pay for the cost of replacing it.

Lot Essay

This mirror, with its breakfronted temple-pediment with Roman acanthus clasp keystone, is designed in the 'antique' style promoted in George II's reign by James Gibbs in his Book of Architecture, 1728, and William Jones in his Gentleman or Builder's Companion, 1739 (E. White, ed., The Pictorial Dictionary of British 18th Century Furniture Design, Suffolk, 1990, pp. 323-324, pls. 41-49). A related mirror, originally in the collection of The Lords Burnham, Hall Barn, Buckinghamshire, was sold anonymously Christie's, New York, 18 October 2001, lot 123. Its overall architectural quality with its foliate-guilloche frame border also compares to moulding patterns found in Batty Langley's Builder's Jewell or Youth's Instructor, 1741 (pl. 78).

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