Beschreibung:

DescriptionProperty from a Private CollectionA Chinese Export reverse glass painting, probably Canton, mid-18th century 
the rectangular plate depicting a landscape by a lake containing three figures, some of the details gilt-heightened, contained in a pierced and carved giltwood rococo frame, re-giltthe glass 46cm. high, 69cm. wide; 1ft. 6⅛in., 2ft. 3⅛in.; framed 57cm. high, 80.5cm. wide; 1ft. 10½in., 2ft. 7¾in.Condition reportTo request a Condition Report, please contact Adele.Bourbonne@sothebys.com.
Please note that Condition 12 of the Conditions of Business for Buyers (Online Only) is not applicable to this lot.
The lot is sold in the condition it is in at the time of sale. The condition report is provided to assist you with assessing the condition of the lot and is for guidance only. Any reference to condition in the condition report for the lot does not amount to a full description of condition. The images of the lot form part of the condition report for the lot. Certain images of the lot provided online may not accurately reflect the actual condition of the lot. In particular, the online images may represent colors and shades which are different to the lot's actual color and shades. The condition report for the lot may make reference to particular imperfections of the lot but you should note that the lot may have other faults not expressly referred to in the condition report for the lot or shown in the online images of the lot. The condition report may not refer to all faults, restoration, alteration or adaptation. The condition report is a statement of opinion only. For that reason, the condition report is not an alternative to taking your own professional advice regarding the condition of the lot. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS ONLINE CONDITION REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE/BUSINESS APPLICABLE TO THE RESPECTIVE SALE.ProvenanceAcquired from H. Blairman & Sons, 1964.Catalogue noteDuring the 18th century Canton was the centre for mirror painting of this type, although the plates themselves were of European manufacture, often French, supplied through the agency of the Compagnie des Indes. The introduction of the technique of painting on imported glass in China is sometimes accredited to the Jesuit missionary Father Castiglione (1688 - 1766), who arrived in Peking in 1715. However, this technique of reverse glass painting mirror plates was already well known in Europe and employed to great effect.
The designs were either painted onto the mirror glass before silvering or traced onto pre-silvered plates so that the mercury backing could be removed prior to decorating. Once clean the plates were applied with a gum and then worked in reverse using a fine wire brush to apply the coloured oils.
The taste for these pieces grew rapidly in Europe, indeed in the 1760s Francis Dashwood 2nd Bt. had views of his seat West Wycombe Park sent to China to be copied in reverse glass, favouring the eastern technique to that of the European artisans.