1890-1920 Custom-Made Mahogany Mirror-USA

This handheld cosmetic mirror was picked by MemoryLaneVintiques in Granbury, TX.
and is part of our shop’s personal collection of antique memorabilia.

ITEM BIO-LISTING-
Mahogany is not native to the United States except for the southern part of Florida. In the 1700s the wood of mahogany trees was being imported from the Caribbean Islands, Mexico, and South America to the UK and USA. Mahogany was primarily used for ship building. As a hardwood , mahogany was highly valued for its durability and resistance to rot and mold, termites and moisture. Moisture changes wood temperatures and causes warping and shrinking.
By the 1840s, ship construction was converting to steam powered iron vessels and moved away from wooden ships.
By the 1850s, mahogany became the wood of the wealthy Victorian furniture movement. The Victorian Era (1837-1901) was about dark and rich colors that exuded a “class based” society.
Mahogany is known for its beautiful “cat’s eye “ affect with color that ranges from a pale pinkish-brown to a rich dark brown that deepens with age.
A global movement, the Victorian Era of Britain was about prosperity through an industrial revolution. That revolution was paralleled by the United States in metropolitan booms such as New York City, Detroit and Chicago and other cities where wealth and opportunities were escalating.

A “regional “ profession, cabinetmakers (carpenters) created matching custom furniture, mirror frames, cabinets, vanities and its accessories from any wood of choice for customers who had the means. Mahogany was the prime selection for numerous customers as well as cabinetmakers.
The artisans would custom order mirrored glass from a nearby glass manufacturer to be cut to fit the wooden mirror frames for bedroom sets, vanity mirrors and finally the matching handheld cosmetic mirror.
The Victorian Era of design and art ended around 1901 but Mahogany remained the custom choice until around the early 1920s when Oak gained popularity with the Colonial Revival style of the Roaring Twenties .

Great Condition
amazingly hust a few discoloration spots on glass and silvering (see photos)

FRAME: Mahogany
GLASS: Custom Cut Thick Beveled Starphire made with soda and iron oxide.
SILVERING (mirror) Silver Nitrate process and done post Mercury Amalgam process (1835).
BODY SHAPE: Oval (rare)
No cracks or chips in glass
True to period real mahogany and NOT
acrylic or resin!

Weighs 1 pound 8 ounces (super sturdy)
16” long
8” wide
5.25” handle length (grip)
8.5” X 6.5” mirror face

MemoryLaneVintiques sanitizes all glassware and glazed pottery before packing for shipment....100% Guaranteed!
ETSY INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY POLICY
As a venue for artists, designers, and makers, Etsy takes intellectual property rights very seriously. We comply with intellectual property laws and industry best practices in order to maintain the integrity of our creative marketplace. This Intellectual Property Policy explains how we address allegations of infringement, how authorized parties can submit reports of infringement regarding content on our marketplace, and how Etsy sellers can respond when their listings or shops are affected by a report.
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ON MEMORYLANEVINTIQUES IS SUBJECT TO ETSY INVESTIGATION AND PENALTIES!
MemoryLaneVintiques researches also protect our shop from Intellectual Property Theft by researching for violators of our material. Be respectful!
Chad & Jennifer Johnston (August 2024)