Details
The divided shaped rectangular beveled plate within a mirrored divided border, the domed shaped cresting with acanthus-wrapped surround and lambrequined finial with flowerhead-filled trellis sanded mirrored panels, with four later foliate mounts, the vertical flanking borders with shell mounts formerly with candle arms, the lower corners enclosed by acanthus leaves
71 in. (180 cm.) high; 3412 in. (88 cm.) wide; 414 in. (11 cm.) deep
Brought to you by

Lot Essay

With its idiosyncratic arched cresting, confronting C-scrolls, and shell finial, this elegant mirror in gilt-lead is characteristic of the oeuvre of Burchard Precht (d. 1738). The Precht family is synonymous with the production of mirrors in Sweden in the early part of the 18th Century and numerous examples are attributed to either Burchard Precht or his sons Gustav (d. 1763) and Christian (d. 1779). Originally from Bremen, Burchard Precht arrived in Stockholm in 1674 to work at Drottingholm Palace and was named carver to the Swedish Court in 1682. In 1687-88 he travelled to Rome and Paris with Court architect Nicodemus Tessin, a collaboration which strongly influenced his work and led to many ecclesiastical commissions. His sons also achieved great success, Christian becoming an important silversmith in Sweden during the mid-18th Century. A closely related mirror, with identical foliate clasps and etched trellis sanded mirror panels is in the collection at Grönsöö Manor, Enköping, Sweden.

A related mirror was formerly in the Wrightsman collection (F.J.B. Watson, The Wrightsman Collection, II, New York, 1966, no. 209, pl. 395) while comparable examples are illustrated in S. Roche et al., Mirrors, New York, 1985, col. pl. VII and T. Sylvén and E. Welander-Berggren, Speglar: Spegelmakare & Fabrikörer I Sverige 1650-1850, Stockholm, 2000, pp. 194, 196-197.

Related Articles

Sorry, we are unable to display this content. Please check your connection.

More from
The Collector: London
Place your bid Condition report

A Christie's specialist may contact you to discuss this lot or to notify you if the condition changes prior to the sale.

I confirm that I have read this Important Notice regarding Condition Reports and agree to its terms. View Condition Report