Posted 8 years ago
SpiritBear
(813 items)
As far as I can tell, there is a grand total of one decent site that tells about non-ornate antique mirrors made after 1850. Sadly, I could not ID the style this mirror is in (other than very simple), nor could I ID a specific time, from that site.
Some time ago, someone wrote that old mirrors have wavy glass, and he proceeded to write more on them. While that is sometimes true, smooth glass has been around since the 1850s, so by "old", he meant either very old or he wrote it 50 years ago as every amateur tells every other amateur, "It's not old unless it has wavy and thin glass."
Anyway, the thin glass mirror tends to distort near the sides, is sparkly on the back (one site suggested that is a mercury mirror), and is greyish all together. The inner portion of the frame had been gilt at one point, but as is typical it deteriorated away. The back (which probably had the label) is missing but was likely made of wood, with very old nails holding it in. The mirror is held by wooden strips that are likely glued into slots.
What is the age, to within a couple decades, and what is the style?
I've seen a number of similar ones touted as Victorian (how very expected), and while I may think they're late Victorian and through Edwardian, they all had one thing in common: They were plaster over wood, whereas mine is stained (neither plaster nor veneer) and guilded only. Suggests older manufacture?
There's a bear behind you!
Well, my pillow is very reminiscent of a bear. It is covered in black fur and has arms. LOL.