reverse painting on glass

Object NameReverse-painted Mirror

Made FromMirrored Plate Glass (mercury), Wood

Dateabout 1750-1800

Place MadeChina (reverse-painting, frames); England (mirrored glass)

TechniqueReverse-painted, gilded

SizeOverall (including frame) H: 83 cm, W: 54.5 cm, D: 2 cm

Accession Number2019.6.15 B

Curatorial Area(s)

Early Modern

Not On View

Physical DescriptionReverse-painted Mirror. Reverse painting on mirrored plate glass (mercury), Chinese huali wood frame; gilded. Mirror in portrait format, reverse-painted with elegantly dressed Manchu figures (two women, one of whom holds an infant child) seated in a garden with auspicious symbols and lakes beyond. Mirror set in black and gilt frame (presumed to be original).
Provenance

Source Christie, Manson & Woods Ltd - 2019-11-19
Christie's, London, European & English Furniture, Ceramics, Portrait Miniatures, & Works of Art, Wednesday 13 November, Lot 259, Property from the collection of Raine, Countess Spencer. Private collection, UK, acquired in 1970 from a private US collection.

Former Collection Countess Raine Spencer (English, 1929-2016) - 1970-10-17-2016-10-21
d. 2016, and thence by decent

Former Collection Mrs. Forsyth Wickes (d. 1969) - 1970-10-17
sold at Parke-Bernet, New York, Lot 23