American Pier Glass Mirror of Exceptional Size and Provenance
Gilt Frame, Original Backing Boards
43 ½” x 96” Overall, Probably Pittsburg, Circa 1825
From the Estate of William Clark, Explorer and Governor of the Missouri Territories
By Direct Descent in the Clark Family
After his return from the epic journey of exploration undertaken by the Corps of Discovery, William Clark became the United States Indian Agent for all the tribes in the Louisiana Territory. This position required that Clark return to Saint Louis and in 1808 he settled there permanently with his new wife, Julia Hancock of Fincastle, Virginia. On their first trip together of Saint Louis the couple shopped in Louisville for furniture and house wares. While a pier glass or mirror does not appear on the surviving account records, the wares purchased suggest that the Clarks intended to maintain a comfortable, stylish home in Saint Louis. Finding the home that Clark had rented in anticipation of their return too small for their needs, the couple would reside in several homes in the first few years of their marriage.
In 1813 Clark became governor of the Missouri Territory, a position that greatly expanded the scope and complexities of his responsibilities as well as his profile in Saint Louis and the region. Clark utilized his home for both his official and personal affairs and by 1818 a growing family, along with expanding business and official social requirements necessitated that the Clarks move into a newly constructed two story residence. The pier glass may have been added to the Clarks furnishings at this time or in 1826, when he had a large new eight room brick building constructed on Main Street where he relocated his offices and the Indian Council Room. As early as 1819 Saint Louis merchants and cabinetmakers were offering for sale a range of goods including the “elegant” mahogany furniture, sideboards, secretaries, superb sophas [sic] and “two pairs of large gilt frame looking Glasses” advertised by Benjamin Porter in that year. Indicative of the Clarks’ preference for stylish furnishing is an Empire card table at the Missouri Historical Society Circa 1820 that would have been a fashionable in the same context as the pier glass. Whether ordered on one of Clark’s trips back to Washington specifically for his office or residence, or purchased from one of the dealers in furniture in the rapidly growing Saint Louis, is unknown. Without question, this imposing pier glass must have been one of the most striking elements of his furnishing and was chosen by Clark to make a strong impression on his visitors, especially the Native Americans with whom he frequently parlayed.
This pier glass appears in the inventory of General William Clark’s estate taken in Saint Louis dated September 30, 1840 as “1 Pier Glass [ Item No. 8 ] [$] 4.00”.
Condition and Construction. The frame and backing boards are constructed of White Pine (by microanalysis).
Provenance:
General William Clark & Julia Hancock Clark
George Rogers Hancock Clark & Eleanor Ann Glasgow
Beatrice Chouteau & John O’Fallon Clark
V. Corel Turner & Beatrice Clark
Richard S. Bull & Mary Soulard Turner
To the present owner
Price: sold
