Thomas Moore
Head of Department
Lot 16TP
A George II carved giltwood, gilt gesso and brass mounted girandole circa 1735-40
Amended
5 April 2017, 14:00 BST
London, New Bond StreetSold for £15,000 inc. premium
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A George II carved giltwood, gilt gesso and brass mounted girandole
circa 1735-40
The bevelled rectangular later plate encompassed by a gadrooned slip and an acanthus, rosette and scroll strapwork surround with scallop shell angles, flanked by carved oak leaf pendants, below a frieze centred with two entwined floral and wheatsheaf-filled cornucopiae, the foliate triglyph capitals with an egg-and-dart moulded cornice above, surmounted by a flowerhead embellished swan neck pediment flanking a stiff-leaf, scrolled acanthus and opposing C-scroll carved and lambrequin capped cartouche cresting, the shaped apron mounted with two brass scrolled candle branches centred by a scallop shell, 176cm high x 87cm wide.
The bevelled rectangular later plate encompassed by a gadrooned slip and an acanthus, rosette and scroll strapwork surround with scallop shell angles, flanked by carved oak leaf pendants, below a frieze centred with two entwined floral and wheatsheaf-filled cornucopiae, the foliate triglyph capitals with an egg-and-dart moulded cornice above, surmounted by a flowerhead embellished swan neck pediment flanking a stiff-leaf, scrolled acanthus and opposing C-scroll carved and lambrequin capped cartouche cresting, the shaped apron mounted with two brass scrolled candle branches centred by a scallop shell, 176cm high x 87cm wide.
Footnotes
Among a number of comparable examples illustrated in books concerning antique mirrors, there are three George II giltwood models which are perhaps most similar to the offered lot. All three have certain elements in common with the present example such as: flowerhead-carved swan neck pediments, cartouche crestings, oak leaf pendant sides, re-entrant upper angles to their surrounds and low relief gilt-gesso ornamentation.
The first of these related mirrors, circa 1735, which appears in G. Child, World Mirrors, 1650-1900, 1990, London, pl. 72, pp.'s 84 and 102, has a similar frieze and virtually identical foliate-embellished triglyph capitals to those on the offered girandole. The second, also dated circa 1735 and featuring in the same publication, Ibid, pl. 74, pp.'s 85 and 102, has a comparable overall design while it is likewise a girandole. The third variant, illustrated in H.F. Schiffer, The Mirror Book, 1983, Pennsylvania, pl. 187, p. 86, has a distinctive scallop shell to the centre of its apron with conforming smaller shells punctuating the re-entrant reserves, all as on the present lot.
In C.C. Stevens and S. Whittington's 18th Century English Furniture, the Norman Adams Collection, 1989, Suffolk, pp.'s 414-5, another related girandole appears alongside a summary explaining the fashion for this particular type of mirror in England during the period 1735-40. The authors describe the influence of contemporary architecture upon such furnishings, while emphasising the significant impact of William Jones's 1739 book, The Gentleman's and Builder's Companion upon both the mirrors and console tables produced at that time.
Literature
G. Child, World Mirrors, 1650-1900, 1990, London.
H.F. Schiffer, The Mirror Book, 1983, Pennsylvania.
C.C. Stevens and S. Whittington, 18th Century English Furniture, the Norman Adams Collection, 1989, Suffolk.
Saleroom notices
Please note that the incorrect footnote for the present lot appears in the sale catalogue while the correct one is available to view online.
