A Chinese Qianlong reverse painted mirror circa 1760

depicting Windsor Castle and figures in the surrounding Great Park, in an original ribbon-carved giltwood frame, together with the 18th century coloured engraving on which the composition was based

Generally this is in very good condition. There are some old marks to the plate, minor losses to painted decoration and minor chips to the gilding on the frame particularly on left hand side.
"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."

The introduction of the technique of painting on glass in China is most often accredited to the Jesuit missionary Father Castiglione (1688-1766) who arrived in Peking in 1715, although the technique of ` back painting' was already established in Europe. The mirror or glass plates were most often imported from the West where the artist would exactingly remove the mercury backing in the areas to be decorated and then paint his design in reverse. Once completed and having already survived a perilous journey, the mirrors, now even more highly prized, were returned to Europe.

Following the stark classicism of the early 18th century, there was a desire in Europe for the whimsy and fantasy of the Orient. This taste, propagated in part by architects such as Sir William Chambers, and fuelled by the East India Companies` imports of porcelain, silks, wallpapers, lacquer and other exotic items, created a sensation across Europe for such wares. Interiors that still demonstrate this desire for ` Chinoiserie' include Saltram, Devon, Clifton Hall, Northamptonshire, Claydon, Buckinghamshire,  and the Pavilion at Drottningholm, Sweden.

Although often these mirror paintings depicted Chinese subjects of figures in elaborate costume in exotic landscape scenes, sometimes the scenes depicted were European ones based on engravings of the period which were sent out to China for the artist to copy. This is the case with the present lot and the painting is sold with a mid 18th century coloured engraving of the same scene, a copy of which must have accompanied the plate to China.

This rare painting depicts the charming scene of Windsor with the river Thames on the right, dominated by one of England`s largest castles. The view is taken from the north-east and shows the stone walls and towers of Henry II`s 12th century castle which was gradually added to over the centuries. It includes, projecting on the right side, the North Terrace built by Elizabeth I and enlarged by Charles II. In the centre, with flags flying, is the round keep tower on its Norman motte. As the favoured home of King George III and Queen Charlotte, Windsor became an increasingly fashionable centre during the second half of the 18th century.  However what is particularly interesting from an historical point of view is that the scene depicts the castle  before it received its medieval fairy-tale embellishments carried out for George IV by Sir Jeffrey Wyattville in the first decades of the 19th century.