A George I carved and gilded mirror with a arched beveled plate set within a finely carved giltwood frame of

foliate scrolls and strapwork, surmounted by a feathered mask and flanked by scallop shell finials. The shaped

apron features a central shell motif issuing a pair of brass candle sconces. Inscribed in chalk to the reverse ‘166’.

This richly carved George I giltwood mirror is a fine early 18th-century English example, and shows an exceptional level of craftsmanship and detailing. The boldly arched, bevelled mirror plate is enclosed within a sculptural frame adorned with scrolling acanthus, strapwork, and crisply carved foliate ornament.

At the crest sits a striking female mask surmounted by a feathered headdress, flanked on either side by bold scallop-shell finials. The inclusion of such a motif reflects the broader Baroque taste for richly symbolic and finely rendered decorative elements.

Mask motifs of this kind were a notable feature in the work of leading cabinetmakers such as John Belchier and James Moore, both of whom employed them in mirrors and pier glasses commissioned for grand interiors.

The mirror’s proportions and detailing are closely aligned with the work of John Belchier, a leading London cabinetmaker of Huguenot origin whose workshop was based in St. Paul’s Churchyard. Belchier supplied mirrors, pier glasses, and carved furniture to some of the most important patrons of the period, including the Dukes of Chandos and Montagu. His mirrors are distinguished by their robust forms, symmetrical shell ornament, and confident use of foliate and strapwork carving, all of which are evident in the present piece.

Mirrors of this type were designed to be mounted above console tables, chests of drawers or chimneypieces, forming integral parts of decorative wall schemes in grand early Georgian rooms. With its superb carving, elegant proportions, and connection to one of London’s foremost early 18th-century cabinetmakers, this mirror is a particularly fine and rare example.