CIRCA 1670

With its bold, naturalistic carving of laurel-entwined garlands of fruit and flowers supported by putti, the present mirror is emblematic of Peace and Plenty. It shares the same distinctive decorative vocabulary associated with north European designs of the 17th century, and relates closely to carved woodwork found on contemporary overdoors and chimney-pieces of the period. Probably carved in lime, the frame evokes the work of the Baroque sculptor Grinling Gibbons (d. 1721), 'Master Carver' to Charles II, whose work was typified by rich carvings of fruit, flowers and foliage. A comparable 17th mirror of pearwood featuring a similar profusion of garlands amongst putti, albeit of much larger dimensions, was sold Christie's, London, 10 December 1981, lot 144 (£18,000 including premium).