ATTRIBUTED TO EDWARD F. CALDWELL, NEW YORK, EARLY 20TH CENTURY, AFTER A DESIGN BY ROBERT ADAM

This pair of mirrors corresponds to Robert Adam's design for a pier glass for 'the Parlour' at Kenwood, illustrated in Works in Architecture of Robert and James Adam, 1774, vol. I, no. II, pl. VIII. The present mirrors, executed in ormolu, are almost identical to an example from the Seidenberg collection and illustrated in J.F. Sandberg, 'Edward F. Caldwell and Company', The Magazine Antiques, February 1998, p. 311, pl.III. Edward Caldwell of New York was an enterprising designer of lighting fixtures and other metalwork and from 1895 until the 1930's was the formemost supplier of decorative light fittings in and around New York City. Caldwell and Co.'s clients included J. Pierpont Morgan and the Vanderbilts and in 1902, Caldwell worked with McKim, Mead and White on extensive renovations to the White House in Washington, D.C.; nearly all the gas lamps were replaced with Caldwell electric fixtures. Edward Caldwell based his designs on objects he had studied or from photographs, and frequently made trips to Europe for this purpose. His company was committed to high quality workmanship and fidelity to original designs, as in the present case. However, in certain cases, Caldwell adapted original designs for contemporary use and this is seen in his design for a girandole with electric lights (ibid, p.311, pl. II).

A similar giltwood mirror was sold by order of the Executors of the Dame Rebecca West, D.B.E, Christie's London, 17 November 1983, lot 119. Another example sold anonymously at Christie's London, 4 July 1996, lot 349. A further example sold Christie's London, 23 April, 1998, lot 11.