A limed oak wall mirror in the form of a lyre, second quarter 19th century, of large and impressive proportion, the twin plates within the carved surround and separated by the upright 'strings', 156cm high, 131cm wide Provenance: possibly from Holland House This wall mirror was possibly acquired by Henry Vassall-Fox, 3rd Baron Holland (1773-1840) for Holland House, Kensington, a grand Jacobean house built in 1605 by Sir Walter Cope. Lord Holland was the Whig political heir of his uncle, the statesman, Charles James Fox, and similarly an ardent denunciator of the slave trade. Holland House became the centre of political, social and literary life from the early-mid 19th century. Lord Holland and his wife, Elizabeth (née Vassall) were prolific spenders for, by 1822, their expenditure far exceeded any income received from rents, and Lord Holland was obliged to let out some of his land to the building trade; in 1824, alluding to the 'tremendous and I hope... profitable works' (Survey of London: Volume 37, Northern Kensington. Accessed: September 2020). In his will, Lord Holland left Holland House and Ampthill House, Bedfordshire, to his widow for her lifetime, including most of the furniture and other contents (Earl of Ilchester, Chronicles of Holland house. 1820-1900, London, 1937, p. 222). Heavily in debt but not wishing to curtail her extravagant lifestyle, the Dowager Lady Holland let yet further Holland House land to builders, and sold off Ampthill House, and some of the family heirlooms from both mansions. Holland House was part-destroyed during the Blitz in 1940, with only the east wing of the ground floor and south facade remaining; it is now owned by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Condition Report: Marks, knocks, scratches, abrasions consistent with age and use, The plates with bloom and depletions, The frame limed - this has white flecks and deposits within the grain, in some places this has warn away to the plain oak in others quite a thick covering remains, the surface un even. Some old splits and cracks and joins opening up but overall appears solid, the back boards appear original and are holding tight. Condition Report Disclaimer