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