A REGENCY PARCEL-GILT AND EBONISED CONVEX MIRROR

This Atlas supported 'sphere' mirror, is conceived in the antique manner popularised by George Smith's, Collection of Designs for Household Furniture and Interior Decoration, London, 1808. The book illustrated two related patterns of 1804, whose convex glasses were admired for their ability to 'reflect objects in beautiful perspective' (pls. 135 and 136). Such convex mirrors were much favoured by the architect Sir John Soane. An Atlas-figure bracket of this pattern also featured on a 'sphere' mirror sold, Christie's London, 14 November 1996, lot 95, and another from the collection of the late Algernon Rothman, Esq. in these Rooms, 5 October 1995, lot 492. A very similar mirror was sold from the Edward James Collection, West Dean Park, Chichester, West Sussex, Christie's House Sale, 2,3 and 6 June 1986, lot 357.