A George II giltwood overmantel mirror attributed to William and John Linnell, circa 1750-60

A George II giltwood overmantel mirror attributed to William and John Linnell, circa 1750-60. Estimate £30,000 - £50,000. Sold £199,250 to an UK Trade. Photo: Christie's Images Ltd., 2010

Of shaped triangular form with divided plates centred by a stylised pagoda with pierced baldachin surmounted by a scrolling foliate finial, the surround carved with scrolling foliage, rockwork and C-scrolls and fitted with various small shelves, the apron carved with simulated water falls, regilt, the acanthus cartouche associated, the plates apparently original; 74 in. (188 cm.) high; 73 in. (186 cm.) wide

Provenance: Formerly in the collection of Archibald Stirling of Keir, at Keir Mains, Dunblane, Perthshire;
Acquired by the current owner from Mallett in 1997

Notes: Conceived in the 'Chinese Chippendale' style the mirror's golden frame encloses a watery surface that reflects the flowery porcelain placed upon its foliated scrolls. Its bridge with its double-braced Chinese railings, was intended for porcelain figures and the trellised canopy provides a throne for the pagoda. A watercolour design for a closely related overmantel and chimneypiece by John Linnell dated 22 July 1754 was sold at Christie's, London, 19 December 1989, while another closely related mirror drawing by Linnell with similar platforms for mounting chinese porcelain and centered by a 'pagod' figure (dated circa 1755-60) is reproduced in H. Hayward, 'The Drawings of John Linnell in the Victoria and Albert Museum', Furniture History, 1969, fig.142.

It is cloesly related to the celebrated Chinese Bedroom overmantel supplied by William and John Linnell in circa 1752-53 to the 4th Duke of Beaufort at Badminton House, Gloucestershire, which was subsequently sold from the Doris Duke Collection, Christie's New York, 3-5 June 2004, lot 442 (US$1,575,500).

Christie's. 500 Years: Decorative Arts Europe. 8 July 2010, London, King Street www.christies.com