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THE PROPERTY OF A GENTLEMAN, FORMERLY IN THE COLLECTION OF COLONEL NORMAN COLVILLE M.C. (1893-1974) (LOTS 60-89)

A GRAINED CARVED-LIME WALL MIRROR

IN THE MANNER OF GRINLING GIBBONS, THE OUTER CARVED ELEMENTS LATE 17TH CENTURY

Details

A GRAINED CARVED-LIME WALL MIRROR
In the manner of Grinling Gibbons, the outer carved elements late 17th Century
The later rectangular bevelled plate in a reeded frame below an oval medallion of Cupid with an hour glass encircled by pierced foliage and a pair of birds, the sides with conforming foliage, inscribed in pencil on the reverse '20/5/47', reassembled in the 19th Century and with consequential restoration, lacking apron
38 x 31 in. (96.5 x 79 cm.)

Provenance

Acquired by Colonel Norman Colville M.C. (1893-1974).

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

The frame is designed in the Charles II 'antique' manner and is richly-festooned with fruit and flowers, symbolising Peace and Plenty and providing a perch for birds. It is surmounted by an allegorical 'Vanitas' medallion that is carved in bas relief with the reclining Cupid alluding to 'Fleeting Time' by holding aloft Chronos's hour-glass borne by eagle-wings.
With its garlands suspended from bowed ribbons, it relates to the overmantel festoons designed in 1676 for the dining-room at Windsor Castle by the celebrated sculptor Grinling Gibbons (d. 1721), following his appointment as 'Master Carver' to Charles II (D. Esterly, Grinling Gibbons and the Art of Carving, London, 1998, p. 85).

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