Mirror frame, painted pine, gilt, English, 1670-90

Carved, ebonised frame of openwork carving of scrolled acanthus leaves and berries with an inner giltwood fillet of laurel leaves. Bronze paint now covering the gilded areas. At the top, two putti support a shield carved with the Hildyard family coat of arms,' azure, three mullets or'. At the base, a giltwood laurel wreath frames a cypher, which could possibly represent the letters CH for Christopher Hildyard. The laurel wreath is surmounted by a giltwood bow, the ribbons entwine round the base of the wreath and end in tassels forming an apron flanking acanthus scrolls. Similar giltwood tassels emerge from behind the armorial shield at the top. Set within the frame is a mirror glass that appears to be 18th century. The loose nature of the fittings to hold the glass suggest that this glass was not original to the frame. The wall-hanging device on the reverse at the top consists of an angled band of wood, pierced to hang over a nail.

Given by Miss E. M. Hildyard

The acquisition record states that Christopher Hildyard (1640-1685) possibly commissioned this frame (and its pair which remains with the family) for portraits for his house at Winestead, near Hull, North Yorskhire. In 1667 he married Esther Dobson, one of the daughters of William Dobson, a wealthy merchant and Lord Mayor of Hull, who had died in 1666. Her fortune enabled him to buy and furnish the house of Winestead. Christopher's father Robert was a supporter of Charles II and was made a Baronet on the restoration of the monarchy in 1660. Christopher died in 1685 before his father so never inherited the title. A similar frame, without the coat of arms, remains in the collection of the Hildyard family.
This history depends on the identification of the monogram as 'C H' but this is debateable.

Mirror, gift of Miss E M Hildyard, 9 February 1931

Notes from R.P. 31/1408

Gift Form
Lists as "Mirror in carved frame - period of Charles II"

Minute Papers
Note the condition "rubbed, cracked, (rep.)"

The glass probably later

This frame, and a similar one in private ownership, was made for a member of the Hildyard family of north Yorkshire. The elaborate carved frame with a coat of arms and entwined initials demonstrates its owner's high status. In 1667 Christopher Hildyard (1640-1685) married Esther Dobson, a daughter of William Dobson (died 1666), a Hull merchant and Lord Mayor. The winged cherubs and tied ribbons suggest that the frame may have been made to commemorate the marriage. The carved monogram could represent CH for Christopher Hildyard. Both frames now contain mirror glass, but they may once have held small painted portraits. In the 1600s both mirrors and family portraits were status symbols. Rich frames were considered appropriate for them. At a later date the frame was painted black to imitate ebony. This probably covers what were painted surfaces. Bronze paint now covers areas that would have been gilded originally.

W.3-1931