Looking Glass

Dateca. 1725

Attributed to John Belchier (d. 1753)

MediumWood, gesso, gilt, and glass

DimensionsOH: 6' 5 1/2"; OW: 30"; OD: 3"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1975-248

DescriptionLooking glass with a horizontally divided beveled, arched rectangular plate within a gilded molded frame headed by large incurving scrolls; the arched and scrolled crest contains foliate plumes emanating from a scrolled and tasseled plinth; matte ground of frame contains carved strapwork and foliage including pendant bellflowers descend from outer scrolls near the top of the mirror plate; two three-dimensional carved birds' (eagle's?) heads curve around frame at sides by divide of mirror plates; scrolled base of frame with strapwork and foliate carving around a central scallop shell.
Label TextThis looking glass relates quite closely the gilt pier glasses in the Saloon and State Bedroom at Erddig that John Meller purchased from John Belchier in 1723 and 1726 for the two best bedchambers at Erddig Park, Denbighshire at a cost of £36 and £50 respectively. While no such documentation survives for this looking glass, it may well have come from Belchier's workshop.
InscribedGraphite inscriptions from different hands on the backboards:
"No 11 Room/ L14.00.0/ E Room/ No"