A George III carved giltwood oval mirror circa 1765

with an armorial dragon head cresting and pierced apron carved with a swan flanked by a pair of hunting dogs, regilded

Bought from Norman Adams, June 1970.

50 Years of Collecting, The Decorative Arts of Georgian England, Christie's London, 14 May 2003, lot 69.

C. Claxton Stevens and S. Whittington, 18th Century English Furniture, The Norman Adams Collection, Woodbridge, rev. ed., 1985, p. 420.

Good overall condition. Very minor age cracks to frame. Minor blemishes to silvering of plate. Unusually high level of detail to carving.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

It is rare to find an heraldic crest incorporated into a mirror of this date although crests were commonly used on mirrors of earlier periods. The crest is employed by various families and as such it remains unattributable to any specific lineage.  

The design of the mirror is strongly reminiscent of the work of Thomas Johnson. He was a leading London carver and gilder and among the foremost exponents of the Rococo and the author of several highly influential collections of designs published in 1750s and 1760s. His work is principally characterised by the use of naturalistic and pastoral ornament, particularly trees, figures, birds and animals which can be seen on the present mirror. These figures were often inspired by Francis Barlow`s illustrations to Aesop`s Fables. The serpentine balustrade is another motif found in his designs and can be seen together with hound motifs in a design for an oval mirror in his Collection of Designs of 1758, pl.8, ( see illustration).

The rather unusual stalagmite ornament seen on the top of the present mirror is a feature associated with Irish mirrors of this period and can be seen on a mirror illustrated in The Knight of Glin and James Peill, Irish Furniture, 2007, pl. 238, p.264 on a mirror possibly from Clanwilliam House, Dublin and also on an overmantel mirror probably supplied to James Fetherstonhaugh, Bracklyn Castle, Killucan, Co. Westmeath, pl.242, p.265.