The Property of the Marquess of Lothian
A Scottish George III carved giltwood and gilt-gesso oval mirror, circa 1765, in the manner of William Mathie
Lot Closed
January 20, 03:26 PM GMT
Estimate
3,000 - 5,000 GBP
Lot Details
Description
The Property of the Marquess of Lothian
A Scottish George III carved giltwood and gilt-gesso oval mirror, circa 1765, in the manner of William Mathie
the stop surmounted by an urn, with husk festoons and scrollwork, losses
126cm. high, 68cm. wide; 4ft. 1½in., 2ft. 2¾in.
Newbattle Abbey, Midlothian, Inventory, 1797, p.7, probably in the Marquis's [sic] Dressing Room, ‘An oval Glass-gilt frame'
Newbattle Abbey, Midlothian, Inventory, 1901, p.27, probably that in Lord Lothian's Bedroom, ‘Chippendale oval mirror in carved and gilt frame 28" x 22"' the measurement reflects the mirror plate consistent with the mirror measurements throughout the inventory and with the offered lot;
Newbattle Abbey, Midlothian, Inventory, 1930, p.24, probably that in Lord Jedburgh's Bedroom; ‘An Adam oval giltwood wall mirror carved husk foliage scroll work etc 50" x 26"'
William Mathie worked for a number of the Scottish nobility including Sir James Clerk of Penicuik, Captain Wedderburn, Francis Charteris, 7th Earl of Wemyss and most significantly for William Crichton-Dalrymple, 5th Earl of Dumfries. Although the present mirror is more restrained in design, the flowing C and S scrolls employed to the cresting and apron reflect those seen on mirrors at the Dumfries House commission.
However it is interesting to note that Sebastian Pryke, in his article on pattern books and estate wrights in 18th century Scotland, discusses the role that estate craftsmen played in copying popular London cabinet maker's pattern books. (Sebastian Pryke, ‘Pattern furniture and Estate Wrights in Eighteenth-Century Scotland’, Furniture History, 1994, Vol. XXX, p. 101)
The Dowager Marchioness of Lothian when advising her daughter in law Elizabeth in 1776 gave this advice ‘it will be best for you to get your chairs for the Old Drawing [Room], at London to your taste…..as for the other chairs may be wanted you had better send pattrons [sic patterns] which you like to Sam Elliot…..and he will make them’. Dr Lyndsay Boynton notes that Elliot at Newbattle was ‘a most ingenious creature and complete workman’.