The grand baroque-style extension of Hampton Court Palace was commissioned by William III and Mary II towards the end of the 17th century to rival the great palaces of Europe. Opulence was at the heart of baroque design, with mirrors being a great luxury and a symbol of extreme wealth. King’s Argent is a reflection of this extravagant addition to the palace, a detailed series of silvered mirrored tiles covered in shadowy leaves and flower heads, its delicate etchings adding to the stately grandeur of Hampton Court’s ceremonial rooms.
