The mirrors with M. Harris & Sons in 1946
A PAIR OF GEORGE III PAINTED MIRRORS, English, circa 1770
Width: 32½ in; 82 cm
Depth: 2½ in; 6.5 cm
Further images
Note: The frames retain most of their original paint surface, with some restorations. The mirror plates are mercury silvered period replacements.
White paint is only occasionally discovered under later gilding on mirror frames of the 18th century, and green paint is hardly ever found. Its beauty and exceptional rarity are owing to the preservation of the green pigments which, had they been exposed over the centuries, would have faded to blue. Green is created by combining yellow and blue pigments, and the yellow fades in sunlight at a much faster rate than the blue. When the green paint has been protected from sunlight, however, as on this example, we have a rare opportunity to experience the green on the mirror frame as it was originally intended.
Provenance
M. Harris & Sons, London, England;
Private collection, USA.
Literature
Illustrated:
M. Harris & Sons, advertisement, 1946.
