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Lot Essay
Esmond Bradley Martin (1941-2018) était un géographe américain, philanthrope et grand collectionneur d'art. Il fut ambassadeur des Nations Unies pour la préservation des rhinoceros, se battant sans cesse contre le commerce illégal des cornes de rhinocéros. Né en 1941 à New York, petit-fils par sa mère du grand magnat Henry Phipps, associé de Andrew Carnégie, il grandit dans la célèbre propriété de Knole dans l'état de New York. Ses parents étaient connus pour leur exceptionnelle collection de mobilier anglais, l'une des plus belles au monde, que Esmond Martin enrichit par des achats importants après leur mort. L'entier mobilier fastueux de Knole, conservé depuis deux générations dans la même famille dont ce très beau miroir, fut mis aux enchères à New York en 2002 par Esmond Martin ainsi que sa célèbre collection de montres dont il était grand amateur.
La technique des miroirs à fonds peints, appelée "fixé sous verre" a été introduite en Occident par les missionnaires jésuites. Les miroirs argentés étaient exportés depuis l'Angleterre, décorés en Chine puis envoyés à nouveau en Europe. Ces peintures étaient conçues grâce à une esquisse dessinée à l'arrière du miroir directement sur le tain, ce dernier étant ensuite gratté pour libérer les espaces devant accueillir la peinture. Le verre était ensuite décoré par l'arrière à la peinture à l'huile ou aux pigments mélangés à de la gomme arabique. Ces peintures étaient notamment produites à Pékin et Canton.
Esmond Bradley Martin (1941–2018) was an American geographer, philanthropist and art collector. He had been a special envoy of the United Nations for the conservation of rhinoceros, fighting against illegal trade of rhinoceros horn. Esmond was born in New York in 1941. He was the great-grandson of 19th century steel magnate Henry Phipps. He grew up with his three brothers at Knole, the celebrated country estate which was purchased in 1910 by his parents: Bradley Martin and Helen Phipps, daughter of Henry Phipps Jr., partner of Andrew Carnegie. Their collection, known as one of the most important collections of English furniture and decorative arts, was acquired over the course of the 20th century by the Martins and after them, by their son Esmond who made significant additions to his parents’ collection. This exceptional collection, remained in its original position throughout the house until 2002 was offered at auction in in New York including this beautiful mirror together with Esmond’s famous collection of complicated watches.
Described as 'back painting' by 18th century writers this unusual art has been probably introduced to the West by Jesuit missionaries from China. It appears that silvered mirror glass was exported from England, decorated and returned. The paintings were created by first drawing the design on the silvered surface and then, and then scraping away the areas that where to be decorated. The paintings were produced in both Peking and Canton, although the latter is probably the original source for most of those made purely for export.
La technique des miroirs à fonds peints, appelée "fixé sous verre" a été introduite en Occident par les missionnaires jésuites. Les miroirs argentés étaient exportés depuis l'Angleterre, décorés en Chine puis envoyés à nouveau en Europe. Ces peintures étaient conçues grâce à une esquisse dessinée à l'arrière du miroir directement sur le tain, ce dernier étant ensuite gratté pour libérer les espaces devant accueillir la peinture. Le verre était ensuite décoré par l'arrière à la peinture à l'huile ou aux pigments mélangés à de la gomme arabique. Ces peintures étaient notamment produites à Pékin et Canton.
Esmond Bradley Martin (1941–2018) was an American geographer, philanthropist and art collector. He had been a special envoy of the United Nations for the conservation of rhinoceros, fighting against illegal trade of rhinoceros horn. Esmond was born in New York in 1941. He was the great-grandson of 19th century steel magnate Henry Phipps. He grew up with his three brothers at Knole, the celebrated country estate which was purchased in 1910 by his parents: Bradley Martin and Helen Phipps, daughter of Henry Phipps Jr., partner of Andrew Carnegie. Their collection, known as one of the most important collections of English furniture and decorative arts, was acquired over the course of the 20th century by the Martins and after them, by their son Esmond who made significant additions to his parents’ collection. This exceptional collection, remained in its original position throughout the house until 2002 was offered at auction in in New York including this beautiful mirror together with Esmond’s famous collection of complicated watches.
Described as 'back painting' by 18th century writers this unusual art has been probably introduced to the West by Jesuit missionaries from China. It appears that silvered mirror glass was exported from England, decorated and returned. The paintings were created by first drawing the design on the silvered surface and then, and then scraping away the areas that where to be decorated. The paintings were produced in both Peking and Canton, although the latter is probably the original source for most of those made purely for export.