The bolection-moulded frame corresponds to that of panelling introduced around 1701 at Drayton House, Northamptonshire following the marriage of Sir John Germain, Bt. (d. 1718) and Lady Mary Mordaunt, Duchess of Norfolk (d. 1705) and their employment of the architect William Talman (d. 1719). 'Comptroller' of William III's Board of Works. While early 18th century overmantel mirrors generally comprised a long sheet of glass flanked by two smaller ones, this single paned mirror is similarly framed to one hung horizontally above the bolection-moulded fireplace in Drayton's State Bedroom at Drayton (G. Jackson-Stops, Drayton House, London, 1978, p. 29). The 'Inventory of Goods at Drayton made 14th Sept. 1710' lists a vast quantity of mirrors in the house; and an addition, made in 1724 or 1738, lists in the State Bedroom (No. 17) together with the very fine needlework bed: 'A glass over the chimney & ye Dutchess of Norfolk's picture'. Also included in the 1710 entry for 'No. 18. In the next roome.', was 'A Black and white marble chimney piece with a lookeing glass over it'; and 'No.19. In the closett' - 'A marble chimney piece with a lookeing glass over it'.
Amongst the other overmantel mirrors were:
No.26. In my Lady's Dressing Roome
One picture over the chimney viz. Queen Mother
One intyre lookeing glass chimney piece.
No.25. 'My Lady's Bedchamber. In the bedchamber next adjoining...
One intyre lookeing glass over the chimney
No.33. In the Bedchamber [next to the Drawing Room].
One white and black marble hearth and chimney Piece with a looking glass over it and a landskip at the topp'.