Lot Essay
James Del Vecchio, Senior, is recorded as a print-seller and looking-glass manufacturer in Westmorland Street, Dublin, c.1797-1848. His son James Del Vecchio, Junior, carried on the same trade from separate premises in Lower Abbey Street, Dublin, 1833-48. The directory information and trade labels are discussed by Desmond Fitz-Gerald, Dublin Directories and Trade Labels, F.H.S. Journal, 1985, pp.258-282. The same author, in The Dublin Del Vecchios, The Antiques Magazine, October 1981, pp.910-14 refers to two nearly identical griffin pier tables with very similar inscriptions to the present lot. The first sold from the Collection of Baroness Beatrice Plummer, Sotheby's, 8 December 1972, lot 160, , is signed on the reverse Del Vecchio/Westmorland St./5 Feb 1831. Another mirror, virtually identical, in a private collection is inscribed Del Vecchio/Westmoreland (sic) St. 27 Dec. 1836. It is difficult to explain why the present lot is dated both St. Patrick's Day (March 18th)