Mirror, for overmantle, giltwood, British, 1740-70

Overmantle Mirror with a carved and gilt gesso frame enclosing the mirror-plate. There are eight irregular mirror plate compartments enclosed by partitions consisting of leafy sprays with flowered and berried detail and rockwork. In the centre there is a canopied niche in the 'Chinese' taste, which is typical of mid eighteenth century style. This niche is flanked on each side on the same level by three uncanopied platforms and at a lower level by another three uncanopied platforms, then again at a lower level on each side by a canopied niche. Below the central niche is an arched panel bound by rococo scrollwork.

This mirror was probably made as part of the decoration of a room in the 'Chinese' taste, in mid-18th century.

This mirror was lent to the Harris Museum and Art Gallery, Preston, from 1979 to 1987 (Nominal File MA/1/P2052).

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.33-1947