An exceptional George III Mirror, the top cresting surmounted by two urns centred by acanthus and dragons, above a bell shaped sectioned mirror plate. Carved with rams heads to the side, the lower part centred by a lions mask and acanthus foliage.

This mirror is an exceptional example of the classical designs that were sweeping England during the mid 18th Century. Thomas Chippendale and Robert Adam were two cabinet makers and designers who were at the forefront of this movement.

Intricatley carved rams heads and  urns were two of the most popular designs promoted by Adam and  Chippendale, they portrayed strength, wealth, and a life well lived.

Thomas Chippendale the Younger produced a number of etchings in 1779 (pictured above) that show strong similarities to the present mirror. Of particular note are the scrolls of acanthus, the urns and the floral motifs.

This mirror is of such superb  quality that it is highly likely that this mirror came from the Chippendale workshop.

 Jim Joel inherited the Childwickbury Estate in Hertfordshire in 1940. Both he and his father were famous racehorse owners and breeders. The family’s wealth originated from mining gold in South Africa in the late 19^th Century, later which diversified to diamonds, and the creation of the Barnato Diamond Mining Co.

Jim Joel was a great philanthropist, he created a charitabel trust which to this today supports projects in South Africa.