A George II carved giltwood wall mirror circa 1750, attributed to John and Francis Booker

Comparative Literature: The Knight of Glin and James Peill, Irish Furniture, 2007, pp.141, 142, 144 and 261.

Graham Child, World Mirrors 1650-1900, 1990, p.122.

Geoffrey Wills, English Looking Glasses, 1965, p.84.

Frieze plate with crack to right side. Minor variations in the tone of the glass to the margin plates although the residue of the missing gesso mouldings would appear to suggest that they are all original. Very minor crack to top left corner of margin plates and a minor. The handles to the urn have been broken and re-attached. The gesso mouldings bordering the margin plates and dividing the central plates are largely missing. Crack to the apron beneath the mask. Plates with general typical degrading to silvering. Minor losses to tips of carving. Gilding with charactersitic wear and chipping. The original water gilding appears to be preserved beneath a later layer of oil gilding.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This mirror is of a type principally associated with the Dublin furniture makers John and Francis Booker. Working from published designs, such as those in William Jones The Gentleman`s or Builders Companion of 1739, the Bookers evolved a highly distinctive style of mirror, characterised by the use of conspicuous architectural elements of Baroque and Palladian inspiration. Such details can be seen in the present lot in the form of the pediment, the scroll carved corbels and the prolific use of egg and dart carving.  For further information and comparisons see footnote to lot 48.

 

The use of the maskhead seen in the apron of the present lot is also a feature seen in William Jones designs and features on the frieze of side-table designed by him. This feature also appears on a giltwood pier glass attributed to Francis and John Booker in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum, illus. The Knight of Glin and James Peill, Irish Furniture , 2007, p.142. For further comparison see another mirror bearing the trade label of Francis Booker illustrated in The Knight of Glin and James Peill, op. cit. p.261. which shares many details with the present lot and also a further example  with a Booker trade label sold Christie`s London, Glin Castle, A Knight in Ireland, 7th May 2009, lot 51.