This week we bought a 19th century ebonised mirror. It was part of a ‘job lot’ of mirrors and frames. Tucked at the back I expect most people didn’t even notice it (due to the pandemic all auctions have to take place online and you can’t go to see any of the lots in person).
The mirror has a really lovely arts & crafts ‘vine leaf’ motif running around the edge picked out in gilt. Victorian pieces are not to everyone’s taste, they can look somber and funereal, but this has a lot of style and charm to it. The likely date is 1880-1900. It’s made from a solid wood frame with composition moulding then finished with black shellac and parcel gilt. A lovely piece that would look great on any wall.
