Lot Essay
These serpentined and mirror-framed pier-glasses designed in the George II French picturesque manner incorporate Chinese and gothic elements which feature in contemporary pattern books issued by Thomas Johnson (Twelve Gerandoles, 1755), Matthias Lock (Six Sconces, 1744) and Edwards and Darly (A New Book of Chinese Designs, 1754). Rustic pilasters, framed by acanthus-wrapped and shrub-entwined scrolls, spring from the gothic-arcaded steps of bridges at their water-dripping bases, while their head-glasses are surmounted by Chinoiserie-umbrello'd pavilions or 'tings' perched between scrolled pediments. A similar design published in Mayhew and Ince's Universal System of Household Furniture, 1762, pl. LXXXII. A pair of mirrors based on this design from Shillinglel Park, Sussex and now at the Metropolitan Museum of Art are illustrated in G.Wills, op.cit, p. 104, fig. 97.
Elvaston Castle has been in the Stanhope family from the 16th century. The successive Earls of Harrington devoted themselves to a series of rebuilding and refurnishing, following the lead of William Stanhope, who was created first Earl in 1742. These mirrors are likely to have been commissioned for Elvaston Castle by William Stanhope, 2nd Earl of Harrington (d.1799) soon after his marriage in 1746 to lady Caroline Fitzroy.
Elvaston Castle has been in the Stanhope family from the 16th century. The successive Earls of Harrington devoted themselves to a series of rebuilding and refurnishing, following the lead of William Stanhope, who was created first Earl in 1742. These mirrors are likely to have been commissioned for Elvaston Castle by William Stanhope, 2nd Earl of Harrington (d.1799) soon after his marriage in 1746 to lady Caroline Fitzroy.