Ince & Mayhew mirror

The British Antiques Dealers’ Association held their annual fair from 15th to 21st March this year in Chelsea, London. 

One of the exhibitors was James McWhirter Antiques Ltd who included an Ince & Mayhew mirror in their collection.  Made around 1785 it was described as a George III carton pierre mirror with a central plate from the Queen Anne period. Carton pierre is like papier-mache, being  based on  pulped paper fibre extended and hardened with substantial amounts of glue, whiting, and gypsum plaster, and sometimes alum and flour. Carton-pierre was pressed into moulds  and allowed to harden, the result being mid-way between plaster and papier-mache in weight and density.  It was often used by Robert Adam.

This mirror is surmounted by a classical urn which has trailing husks and swags inset with classical oval roundels.  The husks are a classic Ince & Mayhew decoration.  A picture of the mirror featured in an article in Apollo magazine.  It was priced at £11,800.

There are around a dozen items of furniture attributed to Ince & Mayhew for sale in the listings of BADA with different antique dealers.