CIRCA 1780

This mirror is from Littlecote, an Elizabethan house in Wiltshire which belonged to the Darrells in the 16th century and later the Pophams. In 1805 the family name became Laybourne Popham, and the label to the reverse of this painting is inscribed: F.L. POPHAM, ESQ., is certainly for Francis Leybourne Popham, Esq. (1809-1880), whose father was responsible for much of the refurbishing of the house in 1810. Littlecote was sold in 1929 to Sir Ernest Salter Wills Bt. (1869-1958), and remained in the Wills family until sold to entrepreneur Peter de Savary (d. 2022) in 1985, and finally to Warner Holidays in 1996 who now operate it as a country house and resort.