Mirror, carved mahogany, partly gilded, English, 1730-50

Mirror, English 18th century with mahogany frame, veneered, carved and partly gilded. The mirror glass has a bevelled edge. The mahogany frame is veneered on pine. The inner moulding of the frame is of gilt gesso surrounded by a narrow band edged with a bolection moulding. Outside this, on the top and bottom of the frame, are flat projections incised with a gilded design of a budding branch. In the upper part, within a pierced circle is a gilt bird on an oak-branch. The bird is made in relief.

This mirror was bought in 1911 from W Stringer, 54 Palace St., Canterbury, for £3.

Previously on loan to Abbot Hall, Kendal.

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.

W.10-1911