An exceptional George III carved and gilded overmantle mirror, the 18th century oval plate in a carved frame retaining the original gilding, depicting naturalistic foliage, acanthus, icicles and scrolls.

This mirror is very much in the manner of Thomas Johnson. Johnson was a contemporary of Chippendale and Mayhew & Ince. He published many sketches, his first publication was called Twelve Gerandoles and was published in 1755. While this first publication was a slim volume of his work it did bring him a wider audience and a prominence on the domestic and international stage.

Johnson’s skill was as a carver rather than a cabinet maker. His designs for example are arguably much more inventive and intricate then those of his contemporaries, such as Chippendale and Mayhew & Ince that also published their works at this time. Natural and rustic forms with depictions of rocks, flowers, animals and cascades of water themed with oriental influences are typical of Thomas Johnson’s work.