Thomas Moore
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Lot 60TP
A George I giltwood and gilt-gesso mirror in the manner of John Belchier
23 June 2021, 14:00 BST
London, New Bond StreetSold for £15,250 inc. premium
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A George I giltwood and gilt-gesso mirror
in the manner of John Belchier
Circa 1725, the later bevelled plate within a rosette-and-ribbon slip and gadroon moulded surround, surmounted by two opposing volute scrolls, below a shaped and scrolled swan neck pediment, with a central acanthus-adorned cartouche cresting, the shaped floral carved apron centred by a scallop shell, the pediment and apron with low-relief scrolled foliate and bellflower strapwork decoration, re-gilt in the 19th century, 132cm high x 73cm wide.
Circa 1725, the later bevelled plate within a rosette-and-ribbon slip and gadroon moulded surround, surmounted by two opposing volute scrolls, below a shaped and scrolled swan neck pediment, with a central acanthus-adorned cartouche cresting, the shaped floral carved apron centred by a scallop shell, the pediment and apron with low-relief scrolled foliate and bellflower strapwork decoration, re-gilt in the 19th century, 132cm high x 73cm wide.
Footnotes
The flattened arching to the top of the plate which is surmounted by two characteristically bold volute scrolls appears to be one of the recurrent aesthetic elements found on mirrors executed by John Belchier. However other aspects widely associated with Belchier's output are the inclusion of foliate strapwork decoration terminating in an acanthus scroll, gadrooning to the frame and a Venus-shell clasped apron. All of which can be seen on the present mirror.
Related mirrors, those either by or attributed to John Belchier, include the important 'Erddig' pier glass supplied on behalf of John Meller for the Best Bedchamber of Erddig Park, Clwyd (or Denbighshire) in North Wales during the period 1722-1726. This 'Erddig' or 'Erthig' mirror has similar distinctive double volute scrolled cappings above its flattened arched plate as appear on the offered lot. The former is illustrated in A. Bowett, Early Georgian Furniture, 1715-1740, Woodbridge, 2009, pl. 6:51, p. 292 and R. Edwards and M. Jourdain, Georgian Cabinet-Makers, 1700-1800, London, 1962, fig. 36, p. 137. Although it is interesting to note that Edwards and Jourdain attribute the Erthig model to the Moore and Gumley partnership rather than to Belchier.
Other notable comparables appear in G. Beard and J. Goodison, English Furniture, 1500-1840, Oxford, 1987, fig. 4, p. 67, H. F. Schiffer, The Mirror Book, 1983, Exton, fig. 141, p. 69 and G. Child, World Mirrors, 1650-1900, London, 1990, fig. 53, p. 78. Whilst two further mirrors, both dated circa 1720, feature in H. Cescinsky, English Furniture from Gothic to Sheraton, 1937, New York, pp.'s 196 & 199.
Further similar versions include mirrors sold by the late Anne, Lady Hollenden, Christie's, London, 23 November 2006, lot 31; Christie's, London, 22 November 2007, Important English Furniture, lot 652; Christie's, Cowdray Park, 13 September 2011, The Cowdray Sale, lot 211 whilst most recently and arguably the closest comparable sold Christie's, London, 23 July 2020, Wilton Crescent: A Robert Kime Interior, lot 157.
Literature
A. Bowett, Early Georgian Furniture, 1715-1740, Woodbridge, 2009.
R. Edwards and M. Jourdain, Georgian Cabinet-Makers, 1700-1800, London, 1962.
G. Beard and J. Goodison, English Furniture, 1500-1840, Oxford, 1987.
H. F. Schiffer, The Mirror Book, 1983, Exton.
G. Child, World Mirrors, 1650-1900, London, 1990.
H. Cescinsky, English Furniture from Gothic to Sheraton, 1937, New York.