A £65,000 price reflects considerable appeal of stumpwork mirror frame

A small collection of 17th century stumpwork offered at Lindsay Burns in Perth was topped by this japanned and needlework mirror frame.

Modestly estimated at £1000-2000, it was hammered down at £65,000 (plus 24% buyer’s premium) at the April 25 sale.

It was consigned by a local Perthshire family and had been collected by the vendor’s late mother-in-law who had purchased her four stumpwork items at auctions in the 1970s and 80s.

Auctioneer Nick Burns said 12 phone lines were booked in, plus commission bids, with a UK phone buyer ultimately successful.

Condition, subject matter and a date contributed to its appeal. The embroidered decoration includes a female figure holding a hawk, possibly Catherine of Braganza, and on the opposite side, a male figure, probably depicting Charles II. However, it is dated 1652 – some years before the Restoration.

Burns believes the black and gilt chinoiserie frame could have once formed part of a dressing table mirror.

To read the article on the Antiques Trade Gazette website click here