The pediments of each mirror are decorated with an urn, interlaced with festoons of laurel leaves. Each mirror sits within a moulded frame adorned with a beaded slip, while beneath it rests a three-branch candelabra with protruding leaves, upheld by a C-scrolled lower bracket.

The stunning design and exquisite craftsmanship are unmistakably apparent, and the mirrors come together with various proposed designs and working drawings by Johnson himself.

But who are the individuals behind these remarkable decorative pieces?

Francis Johnson was born in Bridlington in 1911. He was renowned for his work on country houses, predominantly in the Georgian style, and was an early member of the Georgian Society for East Yorkshire. 

Johnson was awarded numerous honours during his life, including being made a Fellow of the Society of Antiquities in 1955 and receiving a CBE in 1991.

Although Johnson passed away in 1995, his practice, ‘Francis Johnson and Partners, Architects', maintains a strong reputation for their historical property work, having had the privilege to work on some of the region's most notable buildings, including Sledmere House, Sewerby Hall, Burton Agnes Hall, Burton Constable Hall and Fairfax House.

 

Designed for the late Dowager Lady St Oswald by Francis Johnson and crafted by Dick Reid, we couldn’t be more honoured to bring to auction this exquisite pair of late 20th century Neoclassical design giltwood girandole wall mirrors. (Lot 7002, Furniture, Rugs & Interiors, Friday 2 February, 1pm)

Johnson and Reid’s dexterity in working with Georgian architecture made them well-suited for a commission of this nature. The mirrors embody their combined skilfulness in this specific style.

Reid's death in 2021 marked the end of an era, yet the legacy of both Reid and Johnson endures through their remarkable works, on display for the world to appreciate their exceptional skill. It is with great excitement that we bring a piece of such immense heritage to auction this week.

Francis Johnson closely collaborated with an ensemble of skilled craftsmen, the most prominent being Dick Reid. The pair worked together on many projects, including the extensive restoration of Fairfax House (pictured) – a project that culminated to 20,000 man-hours of restoration work, the grand stable conversions at Heath Hall and the restoration of York Minster after the fire of 1984.

Reid was born in 1934, in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and exhibited a talent for arts and crafts from a young age. He was spotted by wood carver and sculptor, Roger Hedley, at the age of just 15 and was taken on as an apprentice.

In 1958 he established his stonemasonry workshop in York and quickly gained his reputation as a master sculptor and carver, recognised internationally for his expertise in conservation and restoration. During the 1990s his workshop was the largest in the UK, employing up to fifteen assistants and apprentices.

Reid gained great acclaim for his stonemasonry skills and in 1989 he was invited by the then Prince of Wales, King Charles III, to become a Trustee of his Institute of Architecture. He received an OBE in 2013 for services to Heritage and in 2016 was awarded the Duke of Gloucester Gold Medal for outstanding lifetime achievement in stonemasonry. 

Recently Viewed

18ct gold stone set ring, hallmarked...

Estimate £100-200

Silver jewellery, including necklaces, b...

Estimate £20-40

9ct gold diamond wishbone ring, hallmark...

Estimate £50-100

Collection of toys, including diecast ve...

Estimate £20-50

Large collection of Torquay ware, includ...

Estimate £30-50

9ct gold jewellery, comprising single cu...

Estimate £50-100

Collection of Pendelfin Studios picnic s...

Estimate £20-50

Collection of costume jewellery, includi...

Estimate £50-100

Strand Hotel silver plated desert bowls ...

Estimate £20-50

Early 20th century 9ct gold horseshoe an...

Estimate £50-100

Disney Christmas collectables, including...

Estimate £50-100

Large collection of Disneyana, mostly Mi...

Estimate £100-200

Single 9ct gold cufflink, hallmarked, to...

Estimate £100-200

18ct gold stone set ring...

Estimate £120-180

9ct gold rope twist chain necklace, hall...

Estimate £150-250

Five boxes of diecast model vehicles, in...

Estimate £40-60

What Our Customers Are Saying...

Get News & Updates

Get all our latest news and updates straight to your inbox. Sign up to receive everything you need to know about upcoming auctions, ways to sell, lots we love and much more...

Sign up