A Queen Anne overmantel mirror, early 18th century

Christie's London, 16th November 1989, lot 17;

Christie's London, The English Collector, 21st May 2015, lot 157.

This rare Queen Anne tripartite overmantel mirror, with its elaborately engraved cresting and gilt painted clasps used to simulate gilt-bronze, is an accomplished example of early 18th century English glassmaking. Advances in glass manufacture towards the end of the 17th and early 18th century meant it was possible to produce larger sheets of plate and overmantel mirrors were able to attain considerable size, sometimes occupying the whole area between the chimneypiece and cornice.

The maker of the present mirror is showing off range of techniques, including the complex arrangement of bevelled glass plates and beautiful engraved decoration. The ripple moulded border is also distinctive feature and pier glass with a similar border can be seen at Syon House in the collection of the Dukes of Northumberland. A related but simpler Queen Anne overmantel mirror was sold Sotheby’s London, Wednesday 29 June 2005, lot 29 (£43, 200 with premium).