A GEORGE III GILTWOOD MIRROR

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.

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.

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