William and Mary marquetry mirror c.1695.

Item Ref
9243

This is an object of great beauty, the frame of good faded colour and patina, the glass appropriately and subtly distressed but throwing an excellent reflection. The slightly bevelled glass is almost certainly the original.
An antique mirror glass should not be perfect; the silvering is often worn. While there are ways to resilver an original glass, remember that slight blemishes or "diamond dusting" in an antique mirror is considered highly desirable.

Mirror glass was a great luxury during the late 17th century, for it was in short supply and, at the time, only produced and exported from Italy. A large example such as this rare William and Mary mirror would have belonged to a family of great wealth and prestige. Since the process to produce mirrored glass was so costly and labour-intensive, the frames that surrounded these treasured items were important in both function and design. It seems odd to modern minds that the mirror glass was much more valuable than the exquisite frames, which were there just to protect the glass.

When choosing a mirror for any room in your house, remember that mirrors give space...they don't take up space. A small rooms is instantly larger when a mirror is placed in it. A gloomy hall can be transformed by a judiciously placed mirror. Pier mirrors were often placed between windows where the wall was dark to add light and air. So, don't assume that your small room will need a small mirror; just the opposite may be true.

SIZE: 32.75 x 25.25 inches.
PROVENANCE: Private Collection.
£2,995

Small 17th century carved giltwood mirror.

Item Ref
9134

A fine small 17th century open carved giltwood frame, containing a rectangular mirror. The frame's inner moulding is surrounded by a bold undulating ribbon entwined in scrolling acanthus leaves, which lead up from a voluted base to a crested pediment; probably Italian.

SIZE: 16 x 14 inches.
PROVENANCE: The Rintoul Collection.
SOLD

Walnut mirror c.1720.

Item Ref
8751

A fine walnut framed mirror, George I period, c.1720.
Good condition and excellent colour.
Mirror plate old but not original.

SIZE:23.75 x 21.75 inches.
mirror size 11.75 x 9.6 inches.
SOLD

Early 19th century Florentine carved and giltwood ...

Item Ref
9187

A magnificent early 19th century Florentine carved and giltwood mirror frame, plate later. Superb quality with original patinated gilding; in country house condition with some minor losses and damages.
Can be hung vertically or horizontally.
If not used as a mirror the frame would be a fine addition to a painting of the same period.
SIZE: 41.75 x 35 x 2 inches. Aperture size: 29.25 x 23.75 inches.
PROVENANCE: North Country collection.
SOLD

Cushion framed mirror c.1690.

Item Ref
9108

A truly beautiful William and Mary period walnut and oyster yew-wood mirror frame; the plate is old but not the original.
The veneers are of quality and have a good colour and patina.
SIZE: 21.75 x 20 inches.
PROVENANCE: From a collection in a Devon 15th century hall house.
SOLD

Carved wood and gilt frame c.1750.

Item Ref

This is fine quality hand-carved frame c.1750, recently sympathetically restored. English, but influenced by the French style; running pattern with small-scale foliage corners. A work of art in its own right.
This frame is for the classic portrait size, sight-line 30 x 25 inches. It would also make a splendid mirror frame.
SIZE: 38 x 32.5 x 2.5 inches.
PROVENANCE: Lord Berners, Faringdon House, Oxfordshire.
SOLD

Late 17th/early 18th century carved giltwood frame, ...

Item Ref
9115

This is a fine quality carved and giltwood oval frame c.1685-1725. A work of art in its own right, these oval frames are very hard to find. It retains its original beautifully patinated gilding and is in excellent condition.
An old, slightly distressed mirror now occupies the frame and has done for some time.

SIZE: 37.25 x 32.25 inches; interior 30 x 25 inches.
SOLD

Walnut cushion framed mirror c.1690.

Item Ref
8750

A good William and Mary walnut cushion framed mirror c.1690.
Bevelled mirror glass old but not original; backboard missing. Good colour.

SIZE:20 x 15.25 inches inc. cresting.
Mirror size 11.5 x 10 inches.
SOLD

Distressed carved and giltwood frame c.1675

Item Ref
gilt

Showing signs of its over 340 year life, this distressed carved giltwood frame still has charm and beauty.
It could be used to frame a painting .. it is a standard 17th/18th century size .. or as a shabby chic mirror.

The last image shows it surrounding a portrait merely to demonstrate.

SIZE: sightline 28.75 x 23.75 inches, rebate 30 x 25 inches, overall 32 x 27 inches.
SOLD

William and Mary walnut framed mirror.

Item Ref
9109

William and Mary walnut cushion framed mirror, c.1690 and later.
Lovely golden colour, beautiful walnut end grain veneers with good surface patination. As is often the case, the mirror plate is later.
Although when on the wall this seems an untouched 17th century piece, the back reveals that the veneers have been removed from the original frame and skilfully reapplied to this late 19th or early 20th century one.
Why? Impossible to say, but probably to replace a worm or damp damaged frame.
Nevertheless, this is a beautiful little period mirror offered at a price about a fifth of the usual price.

SIZE: 16.5 x 15 inches.
PROVENANCE: from a collection in a Devon 15th century hall house.
SOLD