Lot 260
  • 260

Venetian Style

Estimate
600 - 900 GBP
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Description

  • Oval Mirror
  • etched mirror glass
  • 95 by 55.5., 37¼ by 21¾in.
  • Made circa 1930-40.

Literature

Pall Mall Deposit and Forwarding Co. Ltd. Deposit Inventory, 14 August 1950, best bedroom, ‘102. Frameless wall mirror’, (Laurence Olivier Archive, The British Library, London, Add MS 79838);
Anthony Denney, ‘The Oliviers off stage’, House and Garden, May 1958, p. 66;
Martin Wood, John Fowler, Prince of Decorators, London, 2007, p. 83.
Wood writes 'Lady Olivier's Bedroom [at Eaton Square] was hung with chintz with cabbage roses in reds and pinks on a white ground.' he goes on 'Above the fireplace the fabric was pulled back to show a pink-painted wall hung with a Venetian mirror'.

The offered mirror is that described by Wood and installed by Fowler. It appears in photographs of Vivien's Bedroom in her final London home. There are Venetian mirrors pictured at Durham Cottage including this example and several described at Notley Abbey in the 1949 inventory of the house. Vivien must have loved these pretty mirrors and they were certainley favoured by Colefax & Fowler.

Condition

This is very decorative. There are losses to some silvering and some cracks at joins of marginal frame. Some of the cast glass flower heads which cover the screws are detached. There is some spotting to the silvering on the mirror plate. Condition and wear as to be expected with no major issues.
"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."