A fine pair of George III gilt carton-pierre and giltwood oval mirrorsin the manner of John Linnellcirca 1770Each with foliate crest above a female mask, aprons centered by a standing or recumbent left facing lamb. height 55in (140cm); width 25 1/4in (64cm)Provenance: with Jeremy, Ltd., London.Property from the Estate Francis A. Martin III, San Francisco, California, curated by Steven Volpe.Footnote: Carton-pierre, literal translation from the French - cardboard stone, was developed in the 18th century specifically to imitate wood and stone. Makers formulas varied, but typically included flour, chalk, sawdust, sand and plaster and bound with wax, resin, animal glues or gum arabic. The material could be moulded, bent and otherwise formed into the desired design. Preeminent makers like Gillows and John Linnell began using carton pierre in the late 1760s. The new material allowed for lacey decorative spandrels and festoons that could be made into nearly any length or shape required. These elements and the particular foliate umbrella canopy on this pair of mirrors relates to designs of William and John Linnell. The most famous example of this crest element is on the mirror supplied by Linnell to the 4th Duke of Beaufort for the State Bedroom at Badminton House, sold from the Doris Duke Collection, Christies New York, 3-5 June 2004, lot 442.