A George II Giltwood Mirrored Wall Niche in the manner of Thomas Johnson, Mid-18th Century

Moss Harris & Sons, London 15 April 1955

This extraordinary hanging wall niche is a rare survival and a fully consummate expression of the inventiveness, fantasy and technical virtuosity of the English rococo. The highly detailed and complex asymmetrical composition exhibits a strong correlation with the designs of the London carver and gilder Thomas Johnson (1723-1799), who worked with Matthias Lock and began publishing his work in 1755 with Twelve Gerandoles, followed by a set of engravings of  ‘Glass, Picture, and Table Frames; Chimney Pieces, Gerandoles, Candle-stands, Clock-cases, Brackets, and other Ornaments in the Chinese, Gothick, and Rural Taste’ published in four parts in 1756-57 and a further compendium One Hundred and Fifty New Designs that appeared in 1761. Johnson’s work was influenced by that of previous published designers such as Jean Bérain, Daniel Marot, William de la Cour, J. B. Toro and Francis Barlow.