One of the mirrors in situ in the Drawing Room of Howth Castle, Co. Dublin, illustrated in Great Irish Houses and Castles
THE HOWTH CASTLE PIER MIRRORS, Irish, circa 1740
Width: 3 ft 5¼ in; 104.5 cm
Further images
A pair of Irish George II giltwood pier mirrors attributed to John Booker.
Note: The mirrors were regilded in the 19th century as part of a new decorative scheme alongside other furnishings before undergoing a series of restorations. The mirror plates were replaced probably in 1828 with new mercury silvered glasses which have been retained. Dry stripping has now revealed the original preparation with the original clays and some of the original gilding. Extra gold has been laid onto this and blended in with the original.
Provenance
Supplied to the 14th Baron Howth for either his Dublin house at St. Mary’s Abbey or Howth Castle, Co. Dublin, Ireland;
By descent.
Literature
Illustrated:
Irish Furniture, pamphlet, 1978, fig. 12 and back cover.
Jacqueline O’Brien and Desmond Guinness, Great Irish Houses and Castles, 1992, p. 27; one mirror and one table in the Drawing Room, Howth Castle.
Sean O’Reilly, Irish Houses and Gardens, from the archives of Country Life, 1998, p. 41; one mirror facing the chimney breast, photographed 1929.
