CIRCA 1740, IN THE MANNER OF WILLIAM KENT

Details

A NEAR PAIR OF GEORGE II GILT-GESSO AND GILTWOOD PIER MIRRORS
CIRCA 1740, IN THE MANNER OF WILLIAM KENT
Each with cartouche-centred broken pediment above a shaped frieze with central tablet applied with the mask of Diana, flanked by ribbon-tied oak garlands, the rectangular bevelled plate in an eared frame with strapwork band on a pounced ground with ribbon-and-rosette inner border and egg-and-dart outer border, the base with scrolling shell-centred apron, partial red and black printed transit label to one 'WITH MUCH CARE/To.../W1', inscribed 'No. 12...', variations in carving, size and construction, adapted to form a pair, some elements later, repairs to crestings, redecorated
One: 753/4 in. (192.5 cm.) high; 39 in. (99 cm.) wide
The other: 751/4 in. (191 cm.) high; 383/4 in. (98.5 cm.) wide

Provenance

With W. Turner Lord & Co., 20 Mount Street, London, 1932.
Acquired by T.R.H. The Duke and Duchess of Kent, probably acquired following their marriage in 1934.
H.R.H. The Duchess of Kent; sold Christie's, London, 12-14 March 1947, lot 367 (£262 10s to H.R. Lee).
The late Mrs. Robert Tritton, Godmersham Park, Kent; Christie's house sale, 6-9 June 1983, lot 132.
Anonymous sale; Christie's, London, 5 December 1991, lot 220, where purchased by the present owner.

Exhibited

London, Christie, Manson & Woods, Art Treasures Exhibition 1932, no. 120 (exhibited by W. Turner Lord & Co.).

Special notice

Specified lots (sold and unsold) marked with a filled square not collected from Christie’s, 8 King Street, London SW1Y 6QT by 5.00pm on the day of the sale will, at our option, be removed to Crozier Park Royal (details below). Christie’s will inform you if the lot has been sent offsite. If the lot is transferred to Crozier Park Royal, it will be available for collection on the third business day after the sale. Please call Christie’s Client Service 24 hours in advance to book a collection time at Crozier Park Royal. All collections from Crozier Park Royal will be by pre-booked appointment only. Tel: +44 (0)20 7839 9060 Email: cscollectionsuk@christies.com. If the lot remains at Christie’s, 8 King Street, it will be available for collection on any working day (not weekends) from 9.00am to 5.00pm

Conditions of sale

Brought to you by

Amelia Walker Director, Specialist Head of Private & Iconic Collections

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Lot Essay

H.R.H. The Duchess of Kent (née Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark) (1906-1968) married the younger son of H.M. King George V in 1934, settling at 3 Belgrave Square and The Coppins, Buckinghamshire. Celebrated for their impeccable taste and style, the couple epitomised the glamour of the 1930s, before the Duke of Kent's early death, during the Second World War.

These mirrors were later bought by the celebrated collector Mrs. Robert Tritton, for her home at Godmersham, Kent. Built in 1732, for Thomas May Knight, Godmersham Park is the epitome of an 18th-century country house of medium size. Eventually inherited by Edward Austen, the brother of Jane Austen, the novelist; Godmersham is often cited as the inspiration for Mansfield Park. After years of neglect it was purchased in 1935 by Robert Tritton and his wife Elsie, who, with the help of the architect Walter Sorrell, set about much needed renovations and creating 'the 1930s ideal of what constituted 18th-century taste' and building a superb collection of French and English 18th-century furniture, which 'was Robert Tritton’s particular joy'.

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