This pair, offered by Tennants (22% buyer’s premium) in Leyburn on September 17, stand 3ft 6in (1.04m) high x 2ft 5in (72cm) wide and probably date to c.1710. Another pair is pictured in World Mirrors 1650-1900 by Graham Child.
They show various losses to the gesso moulded frame, some cracks to the marginal plates and one of the mercury glass bevel plates is a later addition.
However, as both a rare and hugely attractive design and a pair, they garnered plenty of bidding well above the £1500-2000 estimate. The hammer price was a much more muscular £45,000.
