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Lot Essay
The pagoda cresting and seated chinese figure combined with the gothic lattice-work and crockets relate this mirror to designs published in the mid-eighteenth century by Thomas Johnson (Twelve Gerandoles, 1755), Matthias Lock (Six Sconses, 1744) and Edwards and Darly (A New Book of Chinese Designs, 1754).
Matthew Darly appears to have begun his career as an engraver of satirical prints in 1741. He went on to work for Chippendale and also for Mayhew and Ince. A design for Pier Glass Frame in Thomas Chippendale's The Gentleman and Cabinet-maker's Director, third edition, 1762, plate CLXIX, has a similar pagoda and a chinaman beneath, while Mayhew and Ince featured a similar pattern in their Universal System of Household Furniture, 1762, plate LXXXII.
A related pair of mirrors was sold in these Rooms, 12 April 1996, lot 58.
Matthew Darly appears to have begun his career as an engraver of satirical prints in 1741. He went on to work for Chippendale and also for Mayhew and Ince. A design for Pier Glass Frame in Thomas Chippendale's The Gentleman and Cabinet-maker's Director, third edition, 1762, plate CLXIX, has a similar pagoda and a chinaman beneath, while Mayhew and Ince featured a similar pattern in their Universal System of Household Furniture, 1762, plate LXXXII.
A related pair of mirrors was sold in these Rooms, 12 April 1996, lot 58.