Not currently on display at the V&A

Mirror

1720-1740 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Tall and narrow architectural gilt mirrors like this one were used as 'pier-glasses' - hung on the pier between two windows - where they served to reflect light into the room. The classically-inspired broken pediment reveals the influence of the architect William Kent, whose bold formal interior schemes for his patrons also included lavish use of carved and gilded ornament, including the acanthus leaf and fleur de lys found on this mirror frame. Kent's taste was informed by extensive travels in Italy and his knowledge of the works of the 16th-century Italian architect Andrea Palladio. Here the scrolling acanthus carvings contrast with the plain granular surface of the border to the mirror-glass. The designer and maker of this example are not known.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Pine, carved and gilt, with mirror-glass
Brief description
Mirror, larged carved and gilt with broken pediment, English, 1720-40
Physical description
Large rectangular wall-mirror, oil-gilt, with a broken pediment and the sides swelling outwards into scrolls at the bottom. The upper corners have squared projections. Below the pediment is a frieze carved with scrolling foliage and flowers; similar carving is on the pendant below the bottom rail, which is centred with a fleur de lys. The mirror-plate is bordered with a ball and reel moulding.
Dimensions
  • Height: 147cm
  • Width: 84cm
  • Depth: 6cm
Style
Credit line
Bequeathed by J.A Tulk
Object history
This mirror was previously on long loan from V&A to Aston Hall, Birmingham (1980-2001). It was also once part of the collection of John Augustus Tulk (d.1956), of Ruxbuy, Chertsey, Surrey, who left a large collection of porcelain, furniture and silver, inherited from his grandfather, also John Augustus Tulk (1814-1873) to the Museum.

On long-term loan to Valentines Mansion, Ilford, Redbridge 2009-2014 [RF 2008/536].
Production
In the 17th and 18th centuries, East London was an important production centre for luxury plate glass and mirrored glass. As early as the 1620s, Abraham Bigoe of Stepney was established as a well-known glass manufacturer of this area. It is thought that Bigoe was a French Protestant refugee who fled his country after the massacre of St. Bartholomew in 1572 and brought his skills with him. He was clearly a successful businessman as he also had glass houses in Ratcliff and the Isle of Purbeck. By the late 17th century, during the reign of Charles II, London glass had gained an international reputation through the innovative experiments of Thomas Tilston, who created the first specimens of almost colourless transparent glass. Tilson discovered that by adding a small amount of lead to glass he could produce the brightest and clearest glass yet made. He obtained an early form of patent for his discovery and went on to dominate the international glass and mirror plate market. Unfortunately it is not known if the glass in this mirror was made in London.
Subject depicted
Summary
Tall and narrow architectural gilt mirrors like this one were used as 'pier-glasses' - hung on the pier between two windows - where they served to reflect light into the room. The classically-inspired broken pediment reveals the influence of the architect William Kent, whose bold formal interior schemes for his patrons also included lavish use of carved and gilded ornament, including the acanthus leaf and fleur de lys found on this mirror frame. Kent's taste was informed by extensive travels in Italy and his knowledge of the works of the 16th-century Italian architect Andrea Palladio. Here the scrolling acanthus carvings contrast with the plain granular surface of the border to the mirror-glass. The designer and maker of this example are not known.
Other number
1956/641 - RF number
Collection
Accession number
CIRC.809-1956

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Record createdSeptember 2, 2008
Record URL
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