Looking Glass

Date1700-1720

Possibly by Moore & Gumley

MediumWood, gesso, gilt, and glass

DimensionsOH: 6' 8"; W: 3' 1"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1977-1

DescriptionLarge early 18th century carved gilt gesso pier glass in the manner of Moore and Gumley. The original divided beveled plate with a shaped upper part, the frame with an outer egg and tongue molding enclosing panels of leaves on a stamped ground, with an inner leafy border; the top surmounted by a leafy cresting enclosing a coat of arms of Richard Grenville, son of Richard Grenville, Wotton under Barnewood, Buckinghamshire, and of Hester, daughter of Sir Richard Temple, 3rd Bart. of Stowe, Buckinghamshire, who married in 1710.
Label TextMonumental in scale, this looking glass may have been made in the London workshop of James Moore and John Gumley, cabinet and looking glass makers to King George I. The carved and gilded coat of arms at the top of the frame is that of Richard Grenville and Hester Temple, who married in 1710. Records reveal that Moore produced gilt furniture for Hester’s father, Sir Richard Temple, between 1714 and 1718.
ProvenanceThe coat of arms are those of Richard Grenville, son of Richard Grenville, Wotton under Barnewood, Buckinghamshire, and of Hester, daughter of Sir Richard Temple, 3rd Bart. of Stowe, Buckinghamshire, who he married in 1710. She suceeded her brother Richard Temple, 1st Viscount Cobham and Baron Cobham in 1749, and was created Countess Temple. This indicates a provenance of the Stowe House, Buckingham, the contents of which were dispersed in the mid-19th century and in the early part of the 20th century.