A GEORGE II SHELL-MOUNTED GILTWOOD MIRROR

Newhailes, near Edinburgh has been described as 'one of the most elaborately decorated and carefully thought-out rococo interiors in Scotland' (Valerie Horrocks, Newhailes, Edinburgh, 2004, p. 30). From 1709 Newhailes was home to the Dalrymple family, an influential dynasty of lawyers and politicians. The shell, motif was used with particular frequency for the interiors Newhailes, for example in elaborate stucco mouldings by Thomas Clayton, in friezes, on overmantels and above door frames. The present mirror incorporates real shells as does the frames of four family portraits, inset into the paneling of the great dining room at Newhailes. One of these portraits represents Sir James Dalrymple, 2nd Baronet of Hailes (inherited in 1721) during whose tenure the present example was possibly acquired. There are a number of other elaborate giltwood pier mirrors with central scallop shell motifs still in situ at Newhailes today.