About this lot

Description

An Arts & Crafts mahogany overmantle mirror by Philip Philo, Cambridge, 1880, the bevelled rectangular mirror plate framed on three sides with painted Pre-Raphaelite panels, together with a small portrait study of the original owner, Mrs Willink 109 x 139cm (43 x 54in)
Exhibited: Cambridge Independent Press 15 September 1905 page 5 refers to an Arts & Crafts Exhibition for Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, and states 'Mr G P Philo, Bridge Street, Cambridge, showed a handsome mahogany overmantel and a writing cabinet in old oak', possibly referring to this piece. Other Notes: The family always referred to the overmantle as 'The Ruskin Mirror', and according to family tradition, it was painted by one of Ruskin's secretaries, the most famous of whom being William Gershom Collingwood, although the decoration of this piece does not match his style. Edward Coley Burne-Jones was also a family friend.

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