Lot 50 , A late 18th century Pontypool japanned tinplate gallery tray painted with ‘Garrick between Comedy and Tragedy’ after Joshua Reynolds, 77 x 55cm.

A late 18th century Pontypool japanned tinplate gallery tray painted with ‘Garrick between Comedy and Tragedy’ after Joshua Reynolds,
Formally on loan to the Holburne Museum of Art, Bath, for the ‘Every Look Speaks: Portraits of David Garrick exhibition, no. 68 in the catalogue, 16 September to 7th of December 2003
77 x 55cm.
£250-350

Condition:
Some rubbing and light wear to the gallery which has folded corners (pre 1790’s). Painting with a number of retouched patches, the largest in his red collar. The exhibition catalogue entry says the tray is decorated with Reynolds’ portrait of Garrick Between Tragedy and Comedy one of the most popular portraits of the actor. Several copies of the painting were made, as well as the 1762 engraving by Edward Fisher. The celebrated Pontypool Japan workshop was founded in 1720 by Edward Allgood. The factory had a reputation for the limited production of superb quality japanning for the nobility and gentry. Japanning, decorating a wooden or metal surface with a normal colours, was a term first applied to the decoration of furniture imitating Chinese and Japanese lacquer. Pontypool trays were often decorated with well-known pictures and prints. The artist of the tray is anonymous, but it is very finely painted. The tray was probably made in Wales, and sent to London to be decorated. This tray is another example of expensive and high-quality Garrick memorabilia.

Sold for £700