Rare 18th Century George I Gilt Gesso Mirror, circa 1720

A fine and rare early 18th century George I Gilt Gesso pier or console mirror. In the manner of John Belchier The shaped bevelled mirror plate sit...

A Large and Important George I Gilt-Gesso Pier Glass, Attributed to John Belchier, Circa 1725. England. Divided by the original arched and rectangular soft bevelled mirror plates within a gadrooned and foliate-carved border surmounted by an impressive foliate crest, flanked by profusly carved scrolling acanthus wings above a punch decorated carved frieze. Provenance Clopton Hall, Rattlesden, Suffolk John Belchier ‘The Sun’, south side of St Paul's Churchyard, London; cabinet maker (fl.1699-d. 1753). This impressive mirror can be confidently attributed to the London cabinetmaker John Belchier based on similarities with two large pier glasses he supplied in 1723 and 1726 to John Meller at Erdigg in Denbighshire, Wales (National Trust; illustrated, Early Georgian Furniture, by Adam Bowett, p.292 plates 6:50-51). Originally destined for the Second Best Bedroom and Best Bedchamber respectively, they now hang in the Saloon. The earlier mirror shares comparable strapwork cresting with double scrolls centering a mask whilst the second incorporates bold, inward-curving scrolls carved in high relief along the upper border of the frame that overlap onto the top edge of the plate. These distinctive, palm-like scrolls appear on other mirrors attributed to Belchier, among them an example in the Untermyer Collection, Metropolitan Museum, New York (46.116), and a girandole mirror also with a central winged cherub mask in the crest sold Sotheby's London, 20 November 2007, lot 13. John Belchier (d.1753), possibly of Huguenot origin, was born in Oxfordshire and served his apprenticeship with the London Joiners' Company from 1699-1707. By 1717 he was established at 'The Sun' in St Paul's Churchyard, London, where his trade bill described his activities as a supplier of 'All sorts of Cabinet Work, Chairs, Glasses, Sconces, & Coach Glasses’, and another trade bill indicated he ‘Grinds & Makes-up all sorts of fine Peer & Chimney Glasses and Glass Sconces, Likewise all Cabbinet Makers Goods’, suggesting mirrors and sconces were a particular specialty of his workshop. His most significant client was the London lawyer and Master of the High Court of Chancery John Meller (1665-1733) for his country estate at Erdigg near Wrexham, and in addition to pier glasses and sconces Belchier provided a magnificent carved and gilt wood State Bed in 1720 and is believed to have supplied two japanned bureau...

The acanthus egg and dart-carved swan neck pediment is surmounted with a carved armorial cartouche flanked by opposing C scrolls on an egg and dart plinth, leading down to the acanth...

A rare and important George III 18th century Chippendale gilt mirror. The plate is within a carved foliate branch C-scroll, rocaille and acan...

A superb pair of early 18th-century carved George I mahogany chairs, circa 1720. Each chair is of rich colour, patination and carved throughout. The shaped crest rails have two...

A fine and rare early 18th-century compact George I figured walnut bachelors chest The quarter veneered feather and crossbanded top opens on original hinges to reveal a veneered int...

A George I style carved giltwood and gesso looking glass mirror. The rectangular mirror plate is in a leaf and shell carved moulded frame beneath a shaped cresting centered by a pier...

This early 18th century Irish George I wall mirror is topped by a broken pediment with a shell and acanthus leaf cartouche. The shaped apron is adorned...

An early 18th century George I giltwood pier mirror with carved decoration and broken pediment. The original beveled rectangular mirror plate with rounded top corners is set within a...

Fine & Rare Gilt-wood Mirror Mid 18th Century (possibly English ) The oblong arched mirror plate within a molded frame carved with C-scrolls and foliage, surmounted with an elaborat...

18th century Irish looking glass made with gilded gesso and glass moldings. It is a highly unusual and rare fine. The majority of these mirrors never survived the test of time but th...

Italian silver gilt mirror retaining its original Mecca silver gilding and original mirror plate which is remarkably aged over time. Please see photo of interior showing the drama of...