CIRCA 1740

This mirror is designed in the George II style of the 1720s executed by such makers as John Belchier. Executed in mahogany with gilt enrichments, it dates to twenty years later and compares to other Irish examples, similarly executed. A group of more elaborately carved mahogany mirrors executed in this earlier style are attributed to the Dublin makers John Houghton (fl.1730-1774) and John Kelly (fl.1739-1759) based on a documented frame in St. Patrick's Deanery (D. Guinness, Georgian Dublin, London, 1979, pl.181-182). This group includes a pair originally supplied to Woodhill, Co. Cork and sold from Tythrop Park, Christie's house sale, 27 April 1995, lot 35. Another with pierced shell linked by pierced trellis and with paired birds is illustrated in G. Wills, English Looking-Glasses, London, 1965, p.119, fig.139.