Code: M40 - George III Ho Ho Mirror

A carved and gilt-wood looking glass that combines the genius of Thomas Chippendale together with that of Thomas Johnson. In this example, the rectangular mirror plate is flanked by simple moulded columns; there the simplicity ends. The sides are richly carved with trees and branches issuing from tree stumps with inverted urns spilling water and with scrolls, whilst the apron is centred by a leaf and fruit carved spray within C scrolls and flanked to each side by balustrades. The cresting is surmounted by a Ho Ho bird standing on acanthus leaves, flanked by scrolls and with turned, classical urns to each side resting on brackets carved with icicles and headed by sprays of leaves.

This looking glass epitomises the English rococo at its best and shows the fantasy and naturalism of the period. Thomas Johnson (1714-c1778, published collections of designs between 1755 and 1761, but many of his fantastic designs were regarded as 'carvers' pieces', as it was doubted that they could be executed in wood.

Code: M40

Standard Size:
Height 1638mm/64.50" - Width 825mm/32.50"

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