Lot Essay
This mirror corresponds to Robert Adam's design for a pier glass for 'the Parlour' at Kenwood, illustrated in Works in Architecture of Robert and James Adam, 1774, vol. I, no. II, pl. VIII. The present mirror, executed in ormolu, is almost identical to an example from the Seidenberg collection and illustrated in J. F. Sandberg, 'Edward F. Caldwell and Company', The Magazine Antiques, February 1998, p. 311, pl. III. Edward Caldwell of New York was an enterprising designer of lighting fixtures and other metalwork and from 1895 until the 1930s was the foremost supplier of decorative light fittings in and around New York City. Caldwell and Co.'s clients included J. Pierpont Morgan and the Vanderbilts and in 1902, Caldwell worked with McKim, Mead and White on extensive renovations to the White House in Washington D.C.: nearly all the gas lamps were replaced with Caldwell electric fixtures. Edward Caldwell based his designs on objects he had either studied or from photographs, and frequently made trips to Europe for this purpose. His company was committed to high quality workmanship and fidelity to original designs, as in the present case. However, in certain cases, Caldwell adapted original designs for contemporary use and this is seen in his design for a girandole with electric lights (ibid., p. 311, pl. II).
A similar giltwood mirror was sold by order of the Executors of the late Dame Rebecca West, D.B.E, in these Rooms, 17 November 1983, lot 119. A further example was sold anonymously, in these Rooms, 4 July 1996, lot 394.
A similar giltwood mirror was sold by order of the Executors of the late Dame Rebecca West, D.B.E, in these Rooms, 17 November 1983, lot 119. A further example was sold anonymously, in these Rooms, 4 July 1996, lot 394.