A PAIR OF MONUMENTAL CARVED GILTWOOD PIER MIRRORS, 19TH CENTURY

A PAIR OF MONUMENTAL CARVED GILTWOOD PIER MIRRORS19TH CENTURY255cm high, 150cm wideThe combination of Chinese Ho-Ho birds and the Rocco scrolls and rocaille seen in these mirrors is a style popularised by Thomas Chippendale in his The Gentleman and Cabinet-maker's Director (1754-1762). This 'Chinese Chippendale' style was adopted by many other top London makers of the mid 18th century including Ince & Mayhew, Thomas Johnson and Matthias Lock. For a design for a 'Pier Glass Frame' by Chippendale incorporating these two design sources see, The Gentleman and Cabinet-Makers Director, The Third Edition (1762), Reprint by John Tiranti Ltd, 1939, plate CLXIX. Designs for related 'Pier Glasses' by Ince & Mayhew see The Universal System of Household Furniture, 1759, Reprint by Alec Tiranti, 1960, plate LXXX & LXXXII. For a pair of carved giltwood mirrors of of related form but slightly smaller scale, see Christie's, New York, 500 Years: Decorative Art Europe, 15th April 2011, Lot 497 (£242,500).For examples of similar mid-18th century mirrors incorporating multiple plates and elaborately carved frames, see page 112 and 115.Provenance:Barnwell Manor, NorthamptonshireWindsor House Antiques Condition Report: Both with the marks, knocks, scratches and abrasions commensurate with age and use. Various old splits and chips. Frame have had the gilding refreshed, this appears to have been executed using gold leaf. The gilt surface with the expected wear, chips, losses and deposits. Mirror plates with some depletion, grey spots and bloom. Some plates appear to be old replacements but have depletion to match the others.Various old glued repairs to carved elements. These including repairs to the neck of one Ho-ho bird and to both pierced surmounts. Some minor gaps between mirror plates and the frame. The expected shrinkage cracks/gaps along the lines of underling construction. Please refer to additional images for visual reference to condition. Condition Report Disclaimer