Georgian Mirrors

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...

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...

Giltwood compartmental overmantle mirror in the manner of Chippendale. The period glass plate divided by stylised columns sits within a hi...

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

A George I Sterling Silver Dressing Mirror, Benjamin Pyne, London 1723. With shaped crest, wood backboard and integral hinged stand, w...

A George II Carved Giltwood Palladian Pier Mirror with broken pediment and acanthus topped and foliate carved scrolled cartouche, the frieze with splayed and overlapping palm leaf ce...

English carved wood gilt decorative floral wall mirror with original glass and wood back. Late 18th century.

Mid 19th century Irish mahogany carved wall mirror, circa 1830. The ornate carved frame incorporating peony flowers, ‘S’ and ‘C’ scrolls. The top centred by carved head issuing scrol...

A sensational and large scale English early 19th century George I st. giltwood mirror circa 1820. The mirror retains its original mirror plate set within a stunning and most decorati...

18th century gilt mirror with arched plate in the manner of Belcher. Hightly decorated throughout, the frame displays scrolled foliate detail...

Early-mid 18th century walnut mirror with original engraved plate glass. Provenance: Howth Castle, Co. Dublin

English George IV style Mirror from an original design attributed to John Vardy: hand-carved by master craftsmen in an aged, water gilded finish made using 23.75 carat gold leaf. Pic...

An 18th century George II period carved giltwood looking glass, having architectural pediment, centered by scrolled cartouche, above lion, swag and tassel frieze. The mirror having r...

19th century giltwood convex mirror with asymmetrical carving. The convex with gadrooning and beading, surmounted with foliate and carved giltwood drapery to one side and scroll carv...

A Pair of George III Giltwood Wall Mirrors, c.1780. With extensive foliate and c scrolling details, with exceptional movement in the carving, carefully stripped back to reveal the or...

The architectural frame flanked by Corinthian columns with shaped base carved with swags framed by brackets, the cresting with triangular pediment centered by a lion mask issuing swa...

Georgian mirror with gilded carved wood frame, 18th century.