This is an important example of British furniture and history having a large mirror plate placed within a quality acanthus carved and scrolled frame. It is surmounted by a decorative plume depicting Britannia with her lion, an oval shipping scene, the Irish harp and the Scottish thistle to each side. This is an exhibition quality piece produced in the early stages of Queen Victoria’s reign and foreshadows the growth of her Empire and her eventual title, the Empress of India. Victoria inherited a nation that was culturally mesmerised by its naval power and sprawling Empire. This piece showcases this national pride of Britain’s international pursuits and places it firmly in the hands of the British people by also celebrating exquisite British craftsmanship. Farming tools are carved on the base of the mirror frame above a fantastic serpentine shaped top with a double moulded edge. The frieze is carved with Masonic symbols and a courthouse; these features hint that at the heart of Britain’...