A George III Giltwood Mirror in the Manner of Thomas Johnson 1
A George III Giltwood Mirror in the Manner of Thomas Johnson 2
A George III Giltwood Mirror in the Manner of Thomas Johnson 3
A George III Giltwood Mirror in the Manner of Thomas Johnson 4
George-III-gilt-mirror-18th-century-mirror
18th-century-carved-giltwood-mirror
18th-century-gilt-mirror
Chippendale-period-giltwood-mirror
previous arrow
next arrow
George-III-gilt-mirror-18th-century-mirror
18th-century-carved-giltwood-mirror
18th-century-gilt-mirror
Chippendale-period-giltwood-mirror
previous arrow
next arrow

A George III Giltwood Mirror in the Manner of Thomas Johnson

circa 1760

Sold

Request Information

Follow Us

A George III Giltwood Mirror in the Manner of Thomas Johnson

An early George III carved giltwood mirror in the manner of Thomas Johnson, circa 1760.

The period mercury mirror plate within a moulded fluted frame is flanked by cascading native flora. The carved upper C-scroll corners are pierced and surmounted by a further scroll which seamlessly flows into the pediment of C-scrolls and flora centred by a rose. Similarly, the lower of the mirror is edged with large scrolls of dripping acanthus leaves and C-scrolls all flowing to central cartouche.

It should be noted that this example is in the most wonderful condition and dates from one of the most celebrated periods in English furniture history ‘ The Chippendale Period’.

Additional reading and Literature: H. Hayward, Thomas Johnson and the English Rococo, London, 1964; Peter Ward-Jackson, English Furniture Designs of the Eighteenth Century, London, Victoria and Albert Museum, 1984.

Mirrors of a similar form can be found at Sizergh Castle, Cumbria, North, Blickling Hall, Norfolk and Nostell Priory, West Yorkshire.

Thomas Johnson (1714-1778) was a notable British carver, designer and gilder who was born in London. He fully embraced the capriciousness of the rococo style. He was a pupil of Matthias Lock who embodied the harmonious combination of naturalistic motifs and had a tendency towards asymmetry.

Thomas Johnson concentrated his efforts on designs of wall lights, girandoles and console tables which allowed him to play with form and motifs. His designs were more elaborate than his contemporaries, and they were intended to promote his inventiveness rather than for more practical purposes. He first published his designs in the publication of Twelve Girandoles in 1755. His target audiences were cabinetmakers and upholsterers rather than the end-user. This publication was followed by a series of 53 designs published between 1756-1757. Three years later he published A New Book of Ornaments from which only one plate survives though others are known from 19th-century reproductions. One year later the prolific designer produced, One Hundred and Fifty New Designs.

The flora is most likely to be the flowers, leaves and fruit of the fig tree. Figs were imported from France, Spain and Italy to England in the 18th century and were planted on the south walls of stately houses whose aristocratic owners appeared to be the only ones to appreciate them… the lower classes having little regard for figs and often derided them, as in the common saying ‘not worth a fig’. Interestingly, ‘Brunswick’, ‘Brown Turkey’ and ‘White Marseilles’ are still the most commonly grown figs in Britain.

Condition
Provenance

Private London collection

Literature
Dimensions

PREVIOUSLY SOLD

George III Chippendale Period Mahogany Pie Crust Tray

George III Chippendale Period Mahogany Pie Crust Tray

A fine George III Chippendale period mahogany pie crust tray, circa 1770, England. Of circular form, with a carved and shaped edge. Alexander George Fine Antique sell 18th & 19th century antique English furniture.

17th Century William and Mary Olive Oyster Cushion Mirror

17th Century William and Mary Olive Oyster Cushion Mirror

17th Century William and Mary Olive Oyster Cushion Mirror Circa 1690 England SOLD Follow Us17th Century William and Mary Olive Oyster Cushion Mirror Further reading -  Oystering or oyster veneer is a form of veneering, a type of parquetry....

17th Century William and Mary Kingwood Strongbox

17th Century William and Mary Kingwood Strongbox

A 17th century William and Mary Kingwood strongbox, with gilt brass straps. This strongbox has to be one of the most charming and certainly the smallest example we have encountered, at just 17.5 cm high, 28 cm wide and 18 cm deep. A strongbox of similar merit form and style resides at Burghley House in ‘The 1st George State Room.

George III Chippendale Period Mahogany Pie Crust Tray

George III Chippendale Period Mahogany Pie Crust Tray

A fine George III Chippendale period mahogany pie crust tray, circa 1770, England. Of circular form, with a carved and shaped edge. Alexander George Fine Antique sell 18th & 19th century antique English furniture.

17th Century William and Mary Olive Oyster Cushion Mirror

17th Century William and Mary Olive Oyster Cushion Mirror

17th Century William and Mary Olive Oyster Cushion Mirror Circa 1690 England SOLD Follow Us17th Century William and Mary Olive Oyster Cushion Mirror Further reading -  Oystering or oyster veneer is a form of veneering, a type of parquetry....

17th Century William and Mary Kingwood Strongbox

17th Century William and Mary Kingwood Strongbox

A 17th century William and Mary Kingwood strongbox, with gilt brass straps. This strongbox has to be one of the most charming and certainly the smallest example we have encountered, at just 17.5 cm high, 28 cm wide and 18 cm deep. A strongbox of similar merit form and style resides at Burghley House in ‘The 1st George State Room.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM

Pin It on Pinterest