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
From Queen Charlotte A Rare Miniature Gold Mounted George III Almanack
From Queen Charlotte, A Rare Miniature Gold Mounted George III Almanack Sold[wpforms_selector form_id="11387" show_title="on" _builder_version="4.22.1" _module_preset="default" custom_margin="-30px||||false|false"...
From Queen Charlotte, A Rare Miniature Gold Mounted George III Almanack, 1817
From Queen Charlotte, A Rare Miniature Gold Mounted George III Almanack, 1817 Sold[wpforms_selector form_id="11387" show_title="on" _builder_version="4.22.1" _module_preset="default" custom_margin="-30px||||false|false"...
A Rare Silver Mounted George II Shagreen Tea Caddy with Silver Rocco Canistors
A Rare Silver Mounted George II Shagreen Tea Caddy with Silver Rocco Canistors Sold[wpforms_selector form_id="11387" show_title="on" _builder_version="4.22.1" _module_preset="default" custom_margin="-30px||||false|false"...
George III Silver-Gilt Pepper Pot with the Royal Cypher of Queen Charlotte, 1798
George III Silver-Gilt Pepper Pot with the Royal Cypher of Queen Charlotte, 1798 SoldFollow UsGeorge III Silver-Gilt Pepper Pot with the Royal Cypher of Queen Charlotte, 1798 Royal Interest A George III silver-gilt pepper pot by John Emes,...
An Important 18th Century George I Gilt Gesso Mirror, C 1725
An Important 18th Century George I Gilt Gesso Mirror, C 1725 SoldFollow UsAn Important 18th Century George I Gilt Gesso Mirror, C 1725 An important early 18th century George I Gilt Gesso mirror, circa 1720-1730. England In the manner of John...
A Rare Pair of George III 18th Century Rocco Giltwood Mirrors, Circa 1750-1760
A Rare Pair of George III 18th Century Rocco Giltwood Mirrors, Circa 1750-1760 SoldFollow UsA Rare Pair of George III 18th Century Rocco Giltwood Mirrors, Circa 1750-1760 An important and rare pair of George III carved Chippendale period...
From Queen Charlotte A Rare Miniature Gold Mounted George III Almanack
From Queen Charlotte, A Rare Miniature Gold Mounted George III Almanack Sold[wpforms_selector form_id="11387" show_title="on" _builder_version="4.22.1" _module_preset="default" custom_margin="-30px||||false|false"...
From Queen Charlotte, A Rare Miniature Gold Mounted George III Almanack, 1817
From Queen Charlotte, A Rare Miniature Gold Mounted George III Almanack, 1817 Sold[wpforms_selector form_id="11387" show_title="on" _builder_version="4.22.1" _module_preset="default" custom_margin="-30px||||false|false"...
A Rare Silver Mounted George II Shagreen Tea Caddy with Silver Rocco Canistors
A Rare Silver Mounted George II Shagreen Tea Caddy with Silver Rocco Canistors Sold[wpforms_selector form_id="11387" show_title="on" _builder_version="4.22.1" _module_preset="default" custom_margin="-30px||||false|false"...
George III Silver-Gilt Pepper Pot with the Royal Cypher of Queen Charlotte, 1798
George III Silver-Gilt Pepper Pot with the Royal Cypher of Queen Charlotte, 1798 SoldFollow UsGeorge III Silver-Gilt Pepper Pot with the Royal Cypher of Queen Charlotte, 1798 Royal Interest A George III silver-gilt pepper pot by John Emes,...
An Important 18th Century George I Gilt Gesso Mirror, C 1725
An Important 18th Century George I Gilt Gesso Mirror, C 1725 SoldFollow UsAn Important 18th Century George I Gilt Gesso Mirror, C 1725 An important early 18th century George I Gilt Gesso mirror, circa 1720-1730. England In the manner of John...
A Rare Pair of George III 18th Century Rocco Giltwood Mirrors, Circa 1750-1760
A Rare Pair of George III 18th Century Rocco Giltwood Mirrors, Circa 1750-1760 SoldFollow UsA Rare Pair of George III 18th Century Rocco Giltwood Mirrors, Circa 1750-1760 An important and rare pair of George III carved Chippendale period...
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
Rare 18th Century George III Lacquer Tea Caddy with Original Lacquer Canisters
Rare 18th Century George III Lacquer Tea Caddy with Original Lacquer Canisters £4,250Follow UsRare...
Important 18th Century Goncalo Alves Serpentine Chest Signed J N Teague 1779
Important 18th Century Goncalo Alves Serpentine Chest Signed J N Teague 1779 £15,900Follow...
18th Century Queen Anne Burr Walnut Double Dome Bureau Bookcase
18th Century Queen Anne Burr Walnut Double Dome Bureau Bookcase £28,000Follow Us18th Century Queen...
18th Century George III Burr Yew Tea Caddy with Star Inlay and Brass Accents
18th Century George III Burr Yew Tea Caddy with Star Inlay and Brass Accents £2,200Follow Us18th...
Rare Early 18th Century Queen Anne Walnut Stick Barometer, Circa 1705-1710
Rare Early 18th Century Queen Anne Walnut Stick Barometer, Circa 1705-1710 SoldFollow UsRare Early...
A Rare and Fine George III 18th Century Chinoiserie Lacquer Cabinet on Stand
A Rare and Fine George III 18th Century Chinoiserie Lacquer Cabinet on Stand £28,000Follow UsA...
Rare 18th Century George III Lacquer Tea Caddy with Original Lacquer Canisters
Rare 18th Century George III Lacquer Tea Caddy with Original Lacquer Canisters £4,250Follow UsRare...
Important 18th Century Goncalo Alves Serpentine Chest Signed J N Teague 1779
Important 18th Century Goncalo Alves Serpentine Chest Signed J N Teague 1779 £15,900Follow...
18th Century Queen Anne Burr Walnut Double Dome Bureau Bookcase
18th Century Queen Anne Burr Walnut Double Dome Bureau Bookcase £28,000Follow Us18th Century Queen...
18th Century George III Burr Yew Tea Caddy with Star Inlay and Brass Accents
18th Century George III Burr Yew Tea Caddy with Star Inlay and Brass Accents £2,200Follow Us18th...
Rare Early 18th Century Queen Anne Walnut Stick Barometer, Circa 1705-1710
Rare Early 18th Century Queen Anne Walnut Stick Barometer, Circa 1705-1710 SoldFollow UsRare Early...
A Rare and Fine George III 18th Century Chinoiserie Lacquer Cabinet on Stand
A Rare and Fine George III 18th Century Chinoiserie Lacquer Cabinet on Stand £28,000Follow UsA...