A pair of George III oval giltwood mirrors, late 18th...
the oval plate enclosed by a beaded border and surrounded by eight marginal plates, the apron and crest with tendrils, husks and acanthus leaf carving, the crest with a dish incorporating rams' heads, surmounted by an anthemion, re-gilt
208m high, 87cm wide
Condition Report:
An elegant model in the Adam style. The plates with streaky losses to silvering, more prominent on one example, and one marginal plate with several breaks. Re-gilt, including with patches of gold paint at repair sites, and the surface with chips and rubbing throughout that reveal the underlying bole, gesso or timber. The foliate finial of one example detached but present and should be simple to re-attach. Some splits to gesso on both examples, with a repaired break to a section of acanthus leaf carving just above the mirror plate. A chip to the edge of an acanthus leaf on the apron of one example reveals a slim nail. The vertical supports to the backs possibly later.
Catalogue Note:
This mirror shares several features with Robert Adam’s design illustrated in Works in Architecture of Robert and James Adam, ed. Robert Oresko, 1774 (1975 reprint), vol. I, no. II, pl. VIII, the pier glass for the Parlour at Kenwood House, London. Its oval shape and the delicate ornaments, including a dish with rams’ heads and an apron adorned with acanthus leaves, align with the typical neoclassical ‘Adam Style’. This style is noted for its symmetrical designs inspired by architectural elements, contrasting with the more lavish Rococo style, which is influenced by nature and natural motifs. Adam’s distinctive design approach, demonstrated in commissions such as Kenwood House and Luton Park House, is marked by his innovative use of ancient motifs, including anthemions and rams’ heads, also shown in the present lot.
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the oval plate enclosed by a beaded border and surrounded by eight marginal plates, the apron and crest with tendrils, husks and acanthus leaf carving, the crest with a dish incorporating rams' heads, surmounted by an anthemion, re-gilt
208m high, 87cm wide
Condition Report:
An elegant model in the Adam style. The plates with streaky losses to silvering, more prominent on one example, and one marginal plate with several breaks. Re-gilt, including with patches of gold paint at repair sites, and the surface with chips and rubbing throughout that reveal the underlying bole, gesso or timber. The foliate finial of one example detached but present and should be simple to re-attach. Some splits to gesso on both examples, with a repaired break to a section of acanthus leaf carving just above the mirror plate. A chip to the edge of an acanthus leaf on the apron of one example reveals a slim nail. The vertical supports to the backs possibly later.
Catalogue Note:
This mirror shares several features with Robert Adam’s design illustrated in Works in Architecture of Robert and James Adam, ed. Robert Oresko, 1774 (1975 reprint), vol. I, no. II, pl. VIII, the pier glass for the Parlour at Kenwood House, London. Its oval shape and the delicate ornaments, including a dish with rams’ heads and an apron adorned with acanthus leaves, align with the typical neoclassical ‘Adam Style’. This style is noted for its symmetrical designs inspired by architectural elements, contrasting with the more lavish Rococo style, which is influenced by nature and natural motifs. Adam’s distinctive design approach, demonstrated in commissions such as Kenwood House and Luton Park House, is marked by his innovative use of ancient motifs, including anthemions and rams’ heads, also shown in the present lot.
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