18th Century English George III Giltwood Mirror

Chippendale Period, Circa 1760–1780

An elegant English George III giltwood wall mirror of Rococo form, dating to the third quarter of the eighteenth century. The mirror is set within a finely carved and pierced giltwood frame ornamented with scrolling acanthus foliage, C-scrolls and shell motifs characteristic of the lively designs popularised during the Chippendale period.

The frame displays particularly fluid carving with pierced sides and corners, centred by shell ornament to the crest and apron and enriched throughout with scrolling foliate detail. The gilded surface has developed a warm mellow tone with areas of gentle wear that reveal the traditional gesso ground and bole beneath, giving the frame a depth and softness only achieved through age.

The mirror plate, 19th century with attractive foxing  

Mirrors of this type were an important feature within Georgian interiors, designed to capture and reflect candlelight while enhancing the surrounding architecture, sculpture and decorative objects within a room.

A highly decorative example of an 18th century English Rococo mirror, equally suited to classical and contemporary interiors.