A George II gilt-gesso pier mirror circa 1740

the reverse with a paper label inscribed: Gilded carved and gesso mirror of the / 1740-50 period, - Georgian so-called. / Came from Dromoland Castle, County Clare, / Ireland from the Lord Inchiquin Collection / Similar mirrors in Winterthur Museum and / there is one illustrated in Volume II, / Furniture Treasury, by Wallace Nutting, / Number 2974 / Entirely original with the old gilding.

By repute, Lord Inchiquin, Dromoland Castle, County Clare, Ireland

Overall good condition; some of the backboard panels replaced and with minor worm; the top edge with inpainting and over-gilding; the later mirror glass with crystallization and with minor losses to silvering; minor small chips to gesso; the dry stripped surface appears to have been varnished; the gilding very worn; the tip of cresting possibly with old repaired break; typed label describing Provenance taped to the back. Please note the color of the surface of the mirror is much muter than in the catalogue illustration.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Dromoland Castle, in County Clare, Ireland, was the seat of the O'Brien family from the 16^th century until the mid 20^th century. Murrough O'Brien, previously the Irish Prince of Thomond, was elevated to the English Peerage as Earl of Thomond (for life) and the Baron of Inchiquin in 1543.  His descendant Murrough O'Brien was granted the Earldom of Inchiquin and the Barony of Burren in 1654.

The castle underwent many changes from being a tower house in the 16^th century to a Georgian mansion in the early 18^th century.  In 1822, James and George Pain, pupils of John Nash, who redesigned parts of Buckingham Palace, submitted classical and gothic revival designs for the rebuilding of Dromoland to Sir Lucius O'Brien.  The latter designs were chosen and the Castle bears much resemblance to when it was completed in 1835. By1962, Donough Edward Foster O'Brien, the sixteenth Baron Inchiquin, was forced to sell Dromoland Castle, and it has subsequently become a luxury hotel.