Posted 12 years ago
stefdesign
(82 items)
I've had this mirror for nearly 35 years, I bought it from a friend who was an antique dealer, and I've always loved it & hung it in a prominent place in my home. But now that I'm active here at CW, I've been wondering more about my mirror. How old it might be, what style it is. I love the funky figure at the top, but am not sure exactly what it is!
If you have any ideas, I'd certainly appreciate them!
GREAT mirror!
My first thought was that it may have sat on a dresser-- the bottom shows less oxidation meaning it was probably covered vs. the top, which is darker. Are there any holes for attachment in the bottom?
Also, I believe that the carved top and the corner turnings were added and not original to the piece.
At any rate, it looks fantastic as a hanging mirror no matter how it began its life.
Thanks for sharing,
Scott
Nope, I looked at the back & bottom very carefully, and there's no indication there were any attachment holes. As far as the oxidation you referred to, where is that? I'm not sure if you meant the wood on the bottom is darker than the top. If that's what you meant, it actually isn't. I believe it's just the photo, the top looks lighter because of the light reflecting in the mirror and background.
It's certainly possible the turnings & top were added later, although they match the wood perfectly.
On the back, the top looks darker than the bottom-- maybe just your photographs?
Scott
I have to agree that it was originally mounted on something. Also have to agree with the turnings being added. The rear view shows the difference best. If you blow the picture up to about 180% you can see the new wood as opposed to the old.
Call me dense, but I'm just not getting it. Although I do see that it's probable that the turnings (and top) were added later, I don't see how it was originally mounted on something. Other than a large centered hole above the mirror in the back, I'm not seeing how this could have been done. The other thing is that the top of the main mirror back is darker than the lower section, but it's the opposite on the wooden panel over the mirror. That's darker at the bottom.
I really appreciate both of your comments, and regardless of if it was attached to a dresser or not, or if the turnings were added later, it's fun to try to imagine who might have once had this in their home, and when it might have been made.
The top center piece and the pyramids in the corners seem to fit together for me. The turnings are way newer. The top center I can't zoom enough without blur but looks almost like an Aztec type thing which would fit in with pyramid's around the outside corners.
I agree stef, it is a great mirror!
There is nothing wrong with a repurpose-- it probably saved this beauty from a junk pile.
As I said in my first post, it looks fantastic as a hanging mirror.
Scott
Thanks Scott and fhrjr2. It's a beauty, no matter! I appreciate your observations. I'm really no expert on this type of antique. Does anyone have any idea at all how old it might be? 1890s maybe?
I would date it from 1870s- 1890s.
Scott
Thanks, Scott!