A Very Rare Pair of Irish 19th Century Giltwood Mirrors Labelled Strahan of Dublin

A very rare and impressive pair of Irish 19th Century giltwood mirrors labelled 'Strahan of Dublin' of exceptional quality and feature three étagère shelf wall brackets. The compartmental mirror glass plates of rectangular form with beautiful overall distressing to the original plates are set within finely hand carved, moulded and fluted giltwood frames with gorgeous stylised lambs tongue, beaded row and leaf motif detail throughout. Surmounted with an exquisitely ornate, pierced centred crest composition comprising of arrangements of elegant Neoclassical motifs of a tied ribbon bow above a cabochon with scrolls, ruffles, beaded row and leaves flanked with richly trailing acanthus leaves with ribbon detail draped over the sides, all finely hand carved in high relief. Raised over a series of three moulded open serpentine shaped étagère shelves supported on a pair of striking stylised ring turned corinthian columns featuring acanthus leaves, scrolls, flowerhead and foliate motifs. The stunning shaped panelled apron beneath is embellished to the central reserve with a cabochon flanked with wonderfully rich arrangements of scrolls, ferns, leaves, ruffles and acanthus leaves, each labelled 'Robert Strahan And Co., verso.

Robert Strahan, Dublin, Ireland

Founded in 1776 as a cabinet maker, Robert Strahan & Co. grew to become one of Ireland's premiere furniture designers, exhibiting at The Great Industrial Exhibition of 1853 in Dublin. A walnut table, exhibited at the second London International Exhibition of 1862, showcased their talent for both design and manufacture. Bringing together marquetry, scrolling foliage, masks, strap work and cartouches in a piece of some merit; A fine piece displaying the influence of Thomas Hope and Richard Bridgens, it was illustrated in the Art Journal Illustrated Catalogue for the London exhibition.

Designing and manufacturing for the Office of Public Works, the firm gained the reputation for high quality furniture and were commissioned to design and manufacture for some of the great Irish country houses such as Doneraile Court, Co. Cork and Lisnavagh, Co. Carlow.

The Firm started out trading from 10-11 Chancery Lane. Moving forward 39 years to 1815 and the firm had expanded in to 24-25 Henry Street. In 1845 it expanded further still into 5 Leister Street. In 1870 the firm moved to Abbey Street trading under the family name until 1969.

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