A fine Chinese reverse painted mirror last quarter 18th century

within a later giltwood frame.

Major Dermot Daly, Little Compton Manor, Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire
Sold, Christies, London, November 23, 1972, lot 10 (2,600 guineas)
Redburn (antiques), London

Redburn (antiques), Handbook, London, 1973

The mirror in good condition; small losses to the silvering of the upper left edge and two large losses to the silvering of the mirror surrounding one branch of the tree at the top; two areas of losses to the right of the upper tree branches and an area of losses to the center of the silvered area just beneath the most out-stretched branch; two large losses just above the mountainous horizon immediately right of the seated figure; the figures in good condition with no restoration visible to the faces; the male figure with minor losses to the lower edges of his gown and with a small area of inpainting to his proper right shoe and corner of his gown; the standing female figure in good condition with very minor losses to the extremities of her gown at the bottom; the seated figure with small losses to her gown particularly to her arms and with a small loss to her proper left hand; the figure of the dog with inpainting to its chest and front legs; small losses throughout the foreground; loss to the head of the bird on the far right; small losses to the landscape in the background and to the tops of the bushes in the foreground before the lake. Overall in good condition with stable paint and silvering and with vibrant colors to the figures. The frame with an old repaired break to the central cartouche of the cresting with small chips and losses to the gilding; small repaired breaks to some leaf tips; some small chips and wear to gilding overall.
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.

The introduction of the technique of painting on glass in China is most often accredited to the Jesuit missionary Father Castiglione (1688-1766) who arrived in Peking in 1715, although the technique of 'back-painting' was already established in Europe.  The mirror or glass plates were most often imported from the West where the artist would exactingly remove the mercury backing in the areas to be decorated and then paint his design in reverse.  Once completed and having already survived a perilous journey, the mirrors, now even more highly prized, were returned to Europe.

Following the stark classicism of the early 18th century, there was a desire in Europe for the whimsy and fantasy of the Orient.  This taste, propagated in part by architects such as Sir William Chambers, and fuelled by the East India Companies' imports of porcelain, silks, wallpapers, lacquer and other exotic items, created a sensation across Europe for such wares.  Interiors that still demonstrate this desire for 'Chinoiserie' include Saltram, Devon, Clifton Hall, Northamptonshire (albeit an early 19th century room) and the Pavilion at Drottningholm, Sweden.