Lot 20
  • 20

An Anglo-Dutch repoussé silvered metal mounted and ebonised wall mirror late 17th century

Estimate
15,000 - 25,000 GBP
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Description

  • Oak, copper, silver, mirror glass, metal
  • 166cm. high., 102cm. wide; 5ft. 5¼in., 3ft. 4in.
the cresting centred by a cypher, with marginal mirror plates

Provenance

Probably supplied to John Ashburnham (1656-1710) following his elevation to 1st Baron Ashburnham in 1689, for Ashburnham Place, near Battle, East Sussex;
Thence by decent until sold by order of the Trustees of The Ashburnham Settled Estates and the Executors of Lady Catherine Ashburnham, Sotheby's house sale, 7 July 1953, lot 206, where purchased by the current vendor's family.

Condition

Very decorative and the silvered metal on the black ground, when polished will look very chic. Rubbing to silver mounts, from polishing, resulting in losses to silvering and some detail, some holes to extremeties of this repoussé worked detailing. Evidence of old worm. Some fractures to ribbed moulding.
"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."

Catalogue Note

It is probable that this mirror formed part of the furnishings of the house rebuilt by John Ashburnham (1603-1671) the 1st Baron's grandfather, once he was able to recover his estates, following their forced sale by the Commonwealth state owing to Ashburnham's royalist views. This part of the house eventually formed the rear part of the house, the 1st Baron Ashburnham's son extensively extending the original house in the Georgian times.

For comparison with a mirror featuring similarly finely wrought repoussé panels laid on ebonised oak see Ralph Edwards, The Dictionary of English Furniture, London, 1924, p.36, fig. 23 where an example at Knole Park, Kent is illustrated.