A CHINESE REVERSE GLASS PAINTED MIRROR, CANTON, THIRD QUARTER 18TH CENTURY

the bucolic riverine scene with figures, animals and buildings scattered along the meandering banks 43 x 67.5cm excluding later frame

Provenance: Private London Collection

Starting in the 1750s, mirrors with Chinese painted scenes, the earlier examples often centring on a river, became hugely sought after in Europe. Although worked in Canton, the glass itself was usually imported from Europe, often from France, by agency of the Compagnie des Indes, as any large and flat locally produced glass of the time was apparently of poorer quality. Generally fully silvered plates would be traced with design outlines, to indicate which areas of the mercury backing should be removed and replaced with the painting, done with a fine wire brush.