Description & Technical information

An important mid 18th century Chippendale period carved giltwood rectangular mirror in the Chinese Chippendale taste, retaining the original divided mirror plates within a carved giltwood frame, having a pierced fret gallery cresting on stylised rockwork and pagoda canopy below, and further rockwork and stylised waterfall; the smaller top plate framed by C-scrolls and lozenges, and separated from the larger plate by a leaf carved strap; the large plate with cluster columns, pierced canopies and entwined leafy branches to the sides, having a shaped apron centred by a seated Chinese figure under leafy canopy on steps flanked by further stylised rockwork, steps and waterfall.

Note: This mirror reflects garden features like rockwork, steps, canopies and waterfalls that were very popular with Chinoiserie decoration; these elements can also be found on Chinese wallpaper of this period.

Date:  1760
Period:  1750-1850, 18th century
Origin:  England
Medium: Carved giltwood
Dimensions: 193.5 x 99 cm (76¹/₈ x 39 inches)
Literature: Percy Macquoid and Ralph Edwards, ‘The Dictionary of English Furniture’, revised edition, 1954, Vol II, p.342, fig.81; a mirror with very similar unusual pierced fret gallery cresting.
Categories: Furniture