Research
Of gesso and gilt laid on copper overlaying a mahogany wooden frame. Each of rectangular form with canted corners, the triangular cresting with conforming pierced flowerheads and scrolled acanthus decoration, the frames decorated all over with foliate and flower-head repousé ornament within stylized rope edges, enclosing original mercury gilded beveled mirror plates, which was preserved until recently beneath a layer of painted gesso and oil gilding probably dating from the early 19th century. Each sunken paneled back with an inset shaped easel support retaining the original small metal hinges. Nineteenth century oil gilding and gesso covering removed to reveal original surface. One hinged stand replaced.
Marks:
Paper labels to the reverse inscribed:
Brynkinalt RM,
One inscribed in pencil No. 23 twice, No. 14 and Bottom Right of Cupboard Door
The other inscribed in pencil No. 12 twice, No. 27 once and Bottom left of Passage Door
Provenance:
Sir John Trevor M.P. (c. 1637-1717).
By descent to Prudentia Trevor.
Thence by descent, and removed to Brynkinalt Hall, Denbighshire.
This very rare pair of toilet mirrors represents an exciting example from a recently discovered group of seventeenth century documented mirrors, which employ prominent use of mahogany in their construction. Hitherto, this wood was not thought to have been used in furniture-making prior to circa 1720.
Owing to the many crosscurrents existing in Europe at this time, both in design, style and craftsmanship, it is difficult to ascribe a particular country of origin to the repoussé mirrors of this date. They were almost certainly made either in England or France (the Low Countries are less likely as their origin); the overall profile of the frames is recorded on contemporary examples of both toilet mirrors and larger pier glasses from all three countries.
Although repoussé brass (and silver) mirrors have survived from the seventeenth century, it should be noted that only a very small number are of the quality of the present pair. Furthermore, extant seventeenth century examples that conceal an easel support on the reverse, to be employed as dressing mirrors, are extremely few, and, in addition to those with mahogany backs mentioned above, only a small group are known. Indeed, it must also be said that true pairs are virtually unknown, and the existence of such a pair of mirrors suggests they were created for a couple.
The present mirrors were probably acquired by Sir John Trevor (1637–1717) for either his house in St. Clement’s Lane, in the City of London, where he died on 20 May 1717, or for Powis House, Kensington Lane, London, which he rented from about 1704. He was a Welsh lawyer and politician, whose “successful legal practice brought him attention and connections at Westminster, and he managed to ingratiate himself at the Stuart court. In 1671 he was knighted and two years later he became one of the King’s Counsel.”
Full research report available on request.