Pair of Diminutive Early Classical Carved Giltwood Girondale Mirrors
Labeled by C.N. Robinson
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, circa 1813-1822

Each with carved eagles with spread wings holding a chain and ball in their beaks and standing on a shaped plinth with gilt spherules flanked by scrolled gilt acanthus leaves above a convex glass with circular molded frame hung with gilt spherules flanked by two scrolled candle arms with glass candle cups and cylindrical brass nozzles over an acanthus leaf-carved pendant.

One girondole eagle bears label ""C.N. Robinson, Carver and Gilder, looking-glass frame and picture frame manufacturer, no. 56, South Street, offers for sale, an assortment of girandoles, brackets, cornices, &c. &c., Also a great variety of profile frames n.b. old glasses re-silvered""
h. 36 in.; w. 21 1/2 in. (each)

Provenance: Private Collection, Charlestown, Massachusetts
Christie's, New York, Important American Furniture, Silver, Folk Art, and Decorative Arts, June 17, 1992, lot 132

Literature: For similar examples featured by Charles N. Robinson see Peter Strickland, "Documented Philadelphia Looking Glasses, 1800-1850," in Antiques Magazine (April, 1976), p.794

Other Notes: Between 1811-1857 Charles N. Robinson made and sold picture frames and looking glasses. His shop was located at 56 South Street from 1813-1822, which is the period that the present examples were likely made.

Property of a New York Family

Estimate: $15,000-25,000

The owners of this fine collection were intent upon furnishing their gracious home with the best of 18th and 19th century American fine art, furniture and decorative arts. Their commitment to excellence can be seen in each piece they collected, striving for the finest in purity of form, materials and condition. The owners were adamant about knowing where or by whom a painting or piece of furniture was made; the pedigree had to match their rigorous criteria. The American furniture and decorative arts you will find on the following pages truly has global style and the pieces are certain to appeal to a wide audience of connoisseurs.


Just a few examples of the furniture that demonstrate the couple's commitment to their collecting approach include lot 89, a Rare Queen Anne Eight-Legged New York Mahogany Dining Table with its sculptural raised slipper feet. Lot 90, is a Diminutive Basket and Acanthus Leaf-Carved Salem, Massachusetts Sofa, and is a tour de force created by one of America's greatest craftsmen, Samuel McIntire (1711-1851) of Salem, Massachusetts. Lot 107 is an exceptional and beautifully crafted pair of Hartford, Connecticut Federal shield- back cherry wood side chairs that were formerly part of the Taradash Collection which was assembled and sold by Israel Sack Inc. ( Please see frontispiece of catalogue for detail of back). Lot 112 is a rare gilt and painted gallery wall timepiece; the dial and works are signed by the renowned clockmaker, Aaron Willard of Boston. Lot 118 is the Important Lansdell K. Christie Queen Anne Carved, Veneered and Gilt Walnut High Chest of Drawers, which was made in Boston circa 1740. This well-known example, exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1963, is a tour de force of Colonial Boston craftsmanship.

There is also a selection of high quality fine art being offered as well, including lots 24, the charming SMELT FISHERS, COS COB, 1902 and lot 32, the poetic and elegant SUNSET, ISLES OF SHOALS, 1904, both by Frederick Childe Hassam ( American, 1859-1935) . Lot 27 is a rare and clever collage by John Haberle (American, 1856-1933) THE ARTIST'S PALETTE. Lots 26 and 33 are works by Walter Launt Palmer (American, 1854-1932) which highlight his amazing ability to capture nature at its most moving and atmospheric times of the day, particularly at twilight.

The owners of this home relished life in well-appointed style and designed their rooms with vision that was both thoughtful and practical.