18th Century English George II Mirror with Sconces

This is a beautiful hand carved, gessoed and gilded George II mirror. Dating from the mid eighteenth century. This incredibly large mirror is stunning and actually downright imposing...

A superb Irish George II white painted mirror. The carved architectural top with a central scallop shell, above a panel of panel swagged ribbons a...

English Chippendale Rococo mirror with carved wood gilded frame. The gilded wood frame is of the finest carving with an acanthus leaf cartouche and cabochonon, intertwined with ‘C’ s...

Mid-18th century George II-George III period mirror, English. Walnut with parcel gilding. Central round gilt cartouche in the well shaped top crest. Gilt bordered bevelled glass mirr...

A George III Giltwood Pier Mirror In the Manner of Thomas Johnson An exceptionally detailed design; the superb carved decoration housing a shaped rectangular plate and undulating mirrored borders; the inner frame closely tied to the outer frame and leading the eye around the mirror. The grandiose masterful carving incorporating C-scrolls, flowering branchwork, stylized icicles, acanthus leaves, and distinctive architectural follies and figures which firmly place this mirror within the canon of Johnson's greatest designs. The confident execution is a great testament to the technical prowess and artistic creativity of one of the greatest carvers and designers of the eighteenth century, circa 1760. Provenance Edward Cecil Guinness, 1st Earl of Iveagh, Farmleigh, Co. Dublin, (1880?-1927); The Earls of Iveagh, Farmleigh, Co. Dublin & Elveden Hall, Suffolk (1927-2018). Thomas Johnson (1723-1799) Thomas Johnson was one of the most skilled carvers and furniture designers in Georgian England. Drawing inspiration from the Fables of Aesop, the rococo, China, and the idealised rustic life, his work is whimsical, exuberant and witty. Chippendale borrowed freely from his work. Johnson was a founder member of the 'Antigallican Society', a group who excoriated the French taste. In addition to its relation to Johnson's designs, this mirror also reflects the influence of Lock, the great master with whom he worked for a period. Lock published many sketches and pattern books, including A New Book of Ornaments for Looking Glasses in 1752, introducing several idiosyncratic features which Johnson would adopt such as the small decorative urns...

An exceptional and beautifully preserved rare pair of period George II looking glasses in the style of William Kent (1685-1748) with beveled mirror plates. The burled walnut tablet is bound by Greek eared-architraves with acanthus detailing and oak leaf and acorn garlands. The whole is surmounted by a graceful swan-neck pediment and a central pierced and carved cartouche...