Object Type
This pier glass (a mirror placed on the wall between two windows), dating from about 1680, is veneered with pieces of Japanese lacquer. They probably came from a Japanese chest of around 1620-1640.
Time
By about 1660 Japanese cabinets were much prized by the English nobility, as was any piece of furniture from a workshop in Western Europe that incorporated parts that originally came from Japanese furniture. Japanese arms or 'mons' were emblems, such as animals or plants, for important families. They served a function similar to that of a coat of arms in Europe. They were often found on screens, chests and other objects, denoting the ownership and prestige of the family.
Place
This was almost certainly made for Robert Spencer, 2nd Earl of Sunderland (1641-1702), for his seat of Althorp in Northamptonshire. It is referred to in the earliest surviving inventory of the house, dating from October 1746, as 'a pier Glass in a Japan Frame'. It was then in the India Silk Bedchamber at Althorp.
Later History
The glass was replaced in 1914 and later in 1923. The cresting of the mirror was found in 1923. It was repaired with the mirror and refitted to it by G. Koizumi, a leading specialist in lacquer restoration, that same year.
Physical description
Pine veneered with Japanese lacquer including mother-of-pearl 1620-1640, and painted black and gold; the glass replaced in 1923; the left-hand stand a modern replica
Place of Origin
England, Great Britain (made)
Date
ca. 1680 (made)
Artist/maker
unknown (production)
Materials and Techniques
Pine, veneered with Japanese lacquer including mother-of-pearl, and painted black and gold
Dimensions
Height: 178 cm, Width: 109 cm, Depth: 8 cm
Object history note
Almost certainly commissioned for Althorp, Northamptonshire, by Robert Spencer, 2nd Earl of Sunderland (born in Paris, 1641, and died at Althorpe, 1702)
Made in England
Mirror/Table/Candlestand purchased from Partridge Fine Arts Ltd
Notes from R.P. 81/2380
3/11/81 letter, Partridge to Thornton
they have been instructed by Lord Spencer to sell 3 pieces from Althorp: The Black Japanned Table, Mirror and Candlestand with panels of lacquer cut from imported cabinets or screens.
23/11/81 memo from Craig to Hardy
"The thing that struck me as particularly interesting about them from a lacquer point of view is that they contain lacquer from at least three disparate objects and three separate periods. The stretcher base of the table is fitted with a panel of very early export lacquer, c.1600, the main panels of the table and candlestand and the frame of the mirror date date from c.1630, and the chickens in takamakie on the rail of the mirror may be later still, perhaps 1670ish. The 1630 pieces may be interesting in that they carry….a heraldic device of the Inoue family of Shimasa Province, near Tokyo. This would add evidence to the suggestion that not all export lacquers were made for export…."
18/11/81 memo from Thornton to Director
"These suites were par excellence the grand decorative ensemble of the period…The mirror still has its delicate fretwork cresting which has normally disappeared". Thornton recommends purchase. He believes the suite must come from the Earl of Sunderland's period at Althorp. The figure asked is £30,000. There is some hope of assistance from the Heritage Fund.
25/11/81 memo from Thornton to Director
proposes purchasing the suite out of the Brigadier Clark Fund. Notes that the Japanese veneer is of great interest to the Far Eastern Department.
Dec. 1981 and Jan. 1982 correspondence
relates to purchase price and tax matters.
Jan. & Feb. 1982 correspondence
relates to arrangements to have Partridges copy the torchere.
Undated (first draft) handwritten notes
Describes the lacquer work and explains such suites formed a spectacular focal point in the decoration of grand rooms during the Baroque period. "It has probably been at Althorp since it was new, in which case it will have formed part of the furnishings of the house when it belonged to the Earl of Sunderland". A listing in one inventory of 1746 may refer to this suite.
Descriptive line
Mirror from Althorp pier set
Labels and date
MIRROR
ENGLISH; about 1680
Pine japanned (painted) black and gold and veneered with Japanese lacquer.
Ensuite with dressing table (W.75-1981) and stand (W.76-1981)
Part of Robert, 2nd Earl of Sunderland's furnishings of Althorp, Northamptonshire.
Bought with the aid of the Brigadier Clark Fund. [pre October 2000]
TABLE, MIRROR AND TWO CANDLESTANDS
Pine veneered with Japanese lacquer and painted black and gold
ENGLISH; about 1680 (one of the stands is a modern replica)
From Althorp, Northamptonshire. Groups of table, mirror and two candlestands were freqeuntly placed against the window piers of state apartments at this date. This group was probably acquired by Robert, second Earl of Sunderland, and seems originally to have served as a dressing table. Several high quality Japanese cabinets or screens have been cannibalised to supply the veneer: the mon or crest of a Japanese noble family can be seen on the table, showing that not only lacquer made for export was used in this way. [pre July 2001]
British Galleries:
MATCHING TABLE, MIRROR AND STANDS
This arrangement of matching table, mirror and stands was a French idea of the 1670s. The group was set between two windows, with the mirror leaning forward. It could be used as a dressing table, lit from the windows or from candelabra placed on the stands. This group was made for Robert Spencer, 2nd Earl of Sunderland (see photograph), an unscrupulous politician but a discerning art collector. [27/03/2003]
Categories
Furniture; British Galleries
Collection code
FWK
