Pair of Classical giltwood pier or overmantel mirrors of Kentucky and Philadelphia interest Philadelphia, PA, circa 1830s

Both retaining original Philadelphia retailer's label to reverse, "Charles N. Robinson/Philadelphia", and label inscribed "This mirror (with its twin over the hall fireplace) was made in Philadelphia about 1810-1815 for Elon Rupert in Louisville, Kentucky. Brought back to Philadelphia about 1885 when Dr. Holland came to be dean of Jefferson Medical College".

54 1/2 in. x 35 in. (frame)

This pair of mirrors, while made later than the inscribed dates of 1810-1815, were purportedly made for the house belonging to druggist Elon W. Rupert, which stood at the corner of 5th Street and Broadway, Louisville, next to the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. George H. Sargent, the brother of Rupert's second wife Lucy, visited the house in 1852, describing the exterior of the house, "We have a large yard south of the house beautifully and abundantly adorned with shade trees. It is a pretty place, just far enough away from the business part of town." The house does not survive today (see ArcGIS StoryMaps). The mirrors were passed down to their daughter, Minnie B., and her husband Dr. James William Holland, of Philadelphia (see Portrait and Biographical Account of McClean County, III, published 1887, for more information).

Provenance: Philadelphia collection.

Elon W. Rupert (1808-1874) of Louisville, Kentucky.

Minnie B. and Dr. James William Holland (1849-1922) of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.