Lot 70: A LATE GEORGE III GILTWOOD AND PAINTED OVERMANTEL MIRROR

A LATE GEORGE III GILTWOOD AND PAINTED OVERMANTEL MIRROR
IN THE MANNER OF THOMAS CHIPPENDALE THE YOUNGER (1749-1822), CIRCA 1790-1800
The later square plate within beaded borders and mounted upon a lilac painted surround surmounted by a carved urn and flanked by winged sphinxes, fan paterae and foliate scrolls trailing ribbon-tied husk pendants, the lilac decoration later, the reverse inscribed in chalk 'Bainbridge/Egham', possibly reduced in height to form an overmantel in the 19th century, re-gilt
72 in. (183 cm.) high; 65½ in. (166 cm.) wide

Acquired by Sir Sydney Barratt from Ayer & Co. Antiques Ltd., Bath, 28 April 1960 and by descent.

With its distinctive sphinx cresting, this mirror recalls the work of Thomas Chippendale the Younger in the Gallery at Harewood House, Yorkshire. This magnificent room was furnished by Chippendale Senior (d.1778) and Junior between 1776-96 and the latter supplied a frame for the celebrated Reynolds portrait of Lady Worsely with comparable Roman acanthus and sphinx ornament (C. Gilbert, The Life and Work of Thomas Chippendale, London, 1978, p. 167, fig. 300).