$6,000
Circle of Thomas Johnson (British, 1714–1778) George III Rococo pierced giltwood girandole mirror, circa last half 18th century, of shield form with multiple shaped looking glass elements, centered by pagoda form crest formed of scrolled foliates and flanked by hoho or fenghuang bird at left and figure with Chinese appearance with tall hat and stringed instrument or pipa at right, with splayed acanthus below crest, with figural finely carved dog and tree branch at lower left corner near girandole shelf, and fawn with tree branch at lower right near second girandole shelf, framed with scrolled acanthus and foliates throughout, apparently unmarked. Overall approximately 74.5" x 67". Note: Several of the motifs and forms in this particular mirror are documented in Thomas Johnson's1758 design book "One Hundred and Fifty New Designs", in particular this silhouette, complete with asymmetrical pagoda crest and flanking ho-ho bird. Johnson as a contemporary of Thomas Chippendale (English, 1718-1779) and the two were known to have a similar, if not overlapping design aesthetic.
Auctioneer:
Ahlers & Ogletree Auction Gallery
Date:
2016-06-26
