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Lot Essay
The design of this Palladian pier mirror, or 'tabernacle' glass, relates to drawings of 1721-22 by the Scottish architect, James Gibbs (1682-1754), who published his designs in his Book of Architecture in 1728. These drawings predate similar designs by Gibbs' contemporaries, William Kent (circa 1685-1748), and William Jones (1712-50), who adapted the style for inclusion in The Gentleman's or Builder's Companion of 1739.
The term 'tabernacle' originally referred to a niche in a wall for a statue or bust and derives from antiquity where in classical temples such as the Pantheon in Rome, statues of deities were housed in niches around the walls. According to the furniture historian, Dr. Adam Bowett, the figure of the deity was replaced in mirrors by that of the viewer. There was also a stylistic link between 'tabernacle' mirrors and the rectangular architectural style of wall panelling, which made its first appearance around 1720 (Adam Bowett, Early Georgian Furniture 1715-1740, 2009, pp. 294-299).
The term 'tabernacle' originally referred to a niche in a wall for a statue or bust and derives from antiquity where in classical temples such as the Pantheon in Rome, statues of deities were housed in niches around the walls. According to the furniture historian, Dr. Adam Bowett, the figure of the deity was replaced in mirrors by that of the viewer. There was also a stylistic link between 'tabernacle' mirrors and the rectangular architectural style of wall panelling, which made its first appearance around 1720 (Adam Bowett, Early Georgian Furniture 1715-1740, 2009, pp. 294-299).