A George III giltwood pier mirror in the manner of Thomas Chippendale circa 1780

the back with blue chalked inscription N & R / WINDOW...R...,and with an old label to one side inscribed Whitmarck(?)  / 2025.

Overall good condition and would benefit from some restoration, but structurally stable; the gilding is mostly stable but with rubbing and wear and small chips and losses throughout. The cresting made up of small pieces each with numerous chips and losses to the gilding; the central vase showing separation over lines of construction around the body of the vase; right handle and swag with old repaired breaks and re-glued; the left handle detached but present; the left acanthus carved leaf to the bottom left corner with piece broken off the tip which is present. The mirror frame with very minor bowing to the top molding; small chips, wear and losses to the gilding especially to the sides; rubbing wear and subsequent extensive loss to the gilding of the lower edge; the mirror plates in good condition; the upper mirror plate with a very small oval chip to the top left side; area of loss to the silvering to the left side of the bottom edge above the giltwood divider; some small areas of pitting and minor losses to the silvering especially to the right side; the lower mirror glass with various small losses and pitting to the silvering especially around the upper corners; overall with wear and chips to the gilding with some scratches and scuffs.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Some aspects of the present pier mirror suggest the work of Thomas Chippendale the Younger, including its overall form as well as motifs published in his Sketches of Ornament, 1779.  The form is seen in an engraving of the salon at Brocket Hall, illustrated in James Paine's Noblemen and Gentlemen's Houses, 1783; see also C. Gilbert, The Life and Work of Thomas Chippendale, 1978, vol. II, p. 171, fig. 307.  The scrolls to the sides are seen in pier mirrors at Brocket Hall and Burton Constable as are the husk-draped urns (also in Chippendale's Sketches of Ornament), embellishing the sides of the present mirror.

 

A label with the inked inscription Whitmarsh 2025 is found on the scrolled element to the lower left corner.  The name on the label possibly refers to Lillian S. Whitmarsh, whose collection was sold, Parke-Bernet Galleries, April 7-8, 1961; however, a mirror of this description does not appear in the sale catalogue.  The later backboards have the inscription in blue crayon No 2 R 4 / WINDOW  G Room