Looking glass

about 1770

Object PlaceLondon, England

Medium/TechniqueMahogany, deal

DimensionsOverall: 131.4 x 59.1 x 11.4 cm (51 3/4 x 23 1/4 x 4 1/2 in.)

Credit LineGift of Charles Everett

Accession number1981.663

On View

Not on view

ClassificationsFurniture

Collections

Americas

InscriptionsA handwritten label applied to the back reads" "Upon the evacuation of Boston in 1776 / this mirror was left by a British officer / at his quarters in the house of John / Boyle."

ProvenanceAccording to Everett family tradition, this looking glass was left behind by British officers when they evacuated the town in 1776, in the house of Col. John Boyle (1746-1819), an aide to Gov. John Hancock, where the British officer had been quartered; Boyle hung it over his slant-top Boston desk (1981.662) with which it has been associated ever since; by descent to Boyle's daughter Elizabeth (d. 1864), who married Charles Everett (1785-1851) on January 7, 1811; by descent to their son Charles (b. 1811); by descent to Charles Dundes Everett; 1932, inherited by Charles Everett; 1981, gift of Charles Everett, Montchanin, Delaware (Accession date January 13, 1982)