Photo © Israel Museum, Jerusalem, by David Harris

Mirror and candlesticks
ca. 1785
Glassmaker: John D. Aykboum
Glass
H: 70 cm; W: 46 cm; Dep: 26 cm
Gift of David Berg, New York, to American Friends of the Israel Museum, In memory of his mother Ida Berg
Accession number: B90.0528(a-b)
 
 
A pair of late 18th century glass bordered mirrors of oval form, with suspended glass chandeliers.
These rare confections of the glass maker's art appear to be peculiar to Ireland, although the one documented example bears the name John D. Aykboum. The fragile nature of this piece is why so few examples have survived, as, from the purely practical point of view, the extra reflection offered by the mirror glass behind the candles would have been of great importance in the dimly-lit rooms of the 18th century.

Publications:
The Eighteenth Century English Dining Room, Israel Museum, Jerusalem

Digital presentation of this object was made possible by: The Ridgefield Foundation, New York, in memory of Henry J. and Erna D. Leir