CIRCA 1765, IN THE MANNER OF JOHN LINNELL

The pier-glass, enwreathed by the Arcadian satyr Pan's sacred reeds, is designed in the George III 'Roman' fashion. The crossed palm fronds, symbolising concord and victory, was a favourite design of John Linnell (1729-1796). The design closely relates to Linnell's surviving manuscript drawings of circa 1760 for a side of a room, illustrated in Helena Hayward and Pat Kirkham, William and John Linnell, vol. II, London, 1980, p 115, fig. 220. It is suggested that Linnell could have adopted the motif from William Chambers' ornamental decorations to the chimney pieces of Osterley House in Middlesex. Another strikingly similar design was published by Mayhew and Ince in their pattern book, The Universal System of Household Furniture, London, 1762 (pl. 77).