Lot Essay
Ann and Gordon Getty commissioned the San Francisco-based specialist British classical carving firm Agrell & Thorpe, Ltd. to execute this fire surround and overmantel mirror in the George II style. Serving as a central focal point of the Green Drawing Room, this modern masterpiece of 18th century technique closely follows a design published by Matthias Lock and Henry Copland in their 1752 pattern-book A New Book of Ornaments [V&A E.5051-1907]. At the time of its execution, Adam Thorpe was the world's youngest Master Carver, having apprenticed under Ian Agrell.