Lot Essay
The pier glass is designed in the mid-18th century 'Modern' or 'French' manner reflected in designs of c. 1755-60 by William and John Linnell, the Berkeley Square firm of cabinet-makers. Like many of Linnell's designs of the 1750s and 60s, the finished piece occasionally bears a mere passing resemblance to the original design. A pair of mirrors made for Sir Monoux Cope, 7th Bt. (d. 1765) for Bramshill, Hampshire c. 1755-60 follows a design and the variance can be seen clearly in H. Hayward & P. Kirkham, William and John Linnell, London, 1980, vol. II, p. 98, figs. 187-188. Other Linnell designs which include elements which can be clearly associated with the present mirror are illustrated ibid., figs. 180, 186, 189, 190.
A related pier glass was sold by Mr Ogden Phipps; Sotheby's New York, 19 October 2002, lot 60 ($130,500) while another was sold by The Lord Hesketh, Easton Neston, Northamptonshire; Sotheby's house sale, 17-19 May 2005, lot 142 (£42,000).
A related pier glass was sold by Mr Ogden Phipps; Sotheby's New York, 19 October 2002, lot 60 ($130,500) while another was sold by The Lord Hesketh, Easton Neston, Northamptonshire; Sotheby's house sale, 17-19 May 2005, lot 142 (£42,000).