An Anglo-Indian ivory toilet mirror Vizagapatam, circa 1780

the oval swivelling plate surmounted by a medallion monogrammed SS, on a graduated stepped platform, the top tier with three drawers, the centre tiers each with two drawers, and the bottom tier with one long drawer, on bracket feet

This intricately engraved dressing or toilet mirror is a fine example of the work produced by craftsmen in Vizagapatam, a coastal area to the north of the great port of Madras. Much of the furniture produced here was in the European taste, indeed this mirror closely resembles designs published in A. Hepplewhite's The Cabinet Maker and Upholsterer's Guide, 1788, plates 70 and 71. The unusual stepped base however, relates more closely to examples of dressing mirrors produced by Chinese craftsmen for the lucrative Export market and originating in Canton. Ivory veneered furniture  was highly prized and was commissioned by only the wealthiest of  Europeans or by Indian princes to be given as lavish diplomatic gifts.

A remarkably similar example to the current mirror is on loan to the Victoria and Albert Museum, London and is illustrated in A. Jaffer, Furniture from British India and Ceylon, London, 2001, no. 51, p. 207 (see illustration). Interestingly the mirror in the Victoria and Albert is also surmounted by a monogrammed medallion: presumably the initials of the original owner. Family tradition of the V&A example suggests that this originally belonged to Lieutenant-Colonel George Roberts and the cypher 'JR' presumably relates to either his wife or another lady in his family. Unfortunately, at present the monogram 'SS' on the current lot has not indicated the original recipient of this piece. 

For further discussion on furniture from Vizagapatam see note to lot 952.