A Rare 18th Century George II Carved Cut Gesso and Giltwood Mirror, Circa 1730

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...

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...

An Important and Rare Pair of George III Carved Giltwood Mirrors England, Circa 1760-1770 A fine and rare pair of George III period giltwood mirrors in the Chippendale style at its ...

A large William and Mary 17th century figured walnut cushion mirror, circa 1680-1700. The soft bevelled edge mirror plate is bordered by a pulvinated cushion frame decorated entirel...

18th Century George III Irish giltwood wall mirror. The frame consisting of elaborate s-scrolls and c-scrolls with acanthus leaves and delicately carved flowers and fruit.

A fine English George III-period carved and gilt gesso mirror, ca 1765. This exceptional Georgian giltwood mirror is surmounted by a displayi...

The mercury arched plate enclosed by a shell cresting, centring a scroll and acanthus carved cartouche above an egg and dart mounted re-entrant frame. With swan neck scrolling brass candle sconces. Reference images included, taken from the Royal Collection. Comparable Goodison mirrors are mentioned in two publications: In ‘Georgian Cabinet...

A striking and opulent Italian Baroque-style wall mirror, dating to the mid to late 19th century, featuring a richly carved giltwood frame with bold scrollwork, acanthus flourishes, ...