A Pair of George II Gilt-Gesso Mirrors, Circa 1730

General Matthew;

Christie's London, 27 November 2003, lot 4;

Where acquired by Aso O. Tavitian.

The impressively varied texture and depth of the carving on these mirrors are typical of the works of John Belchier (1699-1753). First recorded as a cabinet-maker in 1717, he produced both fine cabinet furniture and grand mirrors with carved gilt-gesso frames. His most significant commission was for Erddig in Wales in the mid-1720s, and similar ornament to the present lot can be observed on mirrors NT 1146961 and NT 1146960 in particular. Beyond commissions for residential furniture, he also supplied glass to St Paul's Cathedral in the 1720s. Though trade labels allow for fixed attributions to Belchier beyond documented commissions, these labels tend to be found on the case furniture and are less frequent on his mirrors. A similarly conceived pair of mirrors was sold Sotheby’s London, 6 December 2023, lot 16, realising £76,200.