George III Carved Pier Mirror

Mid 19th Century George III Style Giltwood and Gesso Pier Mirror with a spread-winged eagle crest flanked by a pair of pineapple finials...

This carved gilt-wood mirror has a tightly designed Rococo frame in the style of George III. The vigorous acanthus leaf scrolls are entwined with trailing leaves and flowers and with...

Circa 1730 - 40 The rectangular bevelled plate within a gadrooned edge and egg-and-dart border, surmounted by a floral-carved broken pediment centred by a foliate cartouche, the p...

A beautiful and original 18th century pier glass in a very well carved giltwood frame retaining its original two part mirror plate with atmospheric and attractive all over natural foxing yet still reflective. The pure gold gilding remains in lovely condition with only some slight rubbing to the high spots here and there which hint at the red bole clay coat below. The frame with carved and applied decoration of foliage set...

A beautiful pair all carved wood and gilded. True pair with the birds facing each other with a bird crest flanked by trailing leaves over an oval mirror plate with carved gadrooned o...

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...