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Antique/Vintage Mirror Finds at Auction - Want to Re-Sell

By Miklos, 18 November, 2019
Description

First time user.  Just purcased two mirrors, one of which I believe to be antique (copper-coloured pediments) with mercury plate glass.  The other looks to be more mid-19th century - or maybe I'm wrong?  I've looked at so much to try to compare to ascertain, and my brain is like mush, but I'll share my thoughts, but clearly, would value and appreciate the opinion of those much more seasoned than I.

Forgive me, I thought I did a good job cleaning both mirrors, but the larger one has no imperfections - just my handmarks, somehow.  I don't believe it's gilded but might it be a gesso frame?  

Both mirrors are heavy for their size, and obviously the largest of the two is even more so.

Both mirrors are bevelled.  The smaller of the two has what is called spotting in the top left corner, but which you can't see from a distance.  There are two distinct blemished areas, one being more pronounced than the other, and again, from a distance the one might be seen more over the other one.  All of this would seem to indicate it's mercury glass underneath, which would speak to it's age.  

Trying to determine which period the small rectangular one fits into keeps me going back to the Georgian period, although I could be quite mistaken.  What I can't find is anything quite like this other than other mirrors with the so called pediments on top or are they gesso too?  And, what about the colouration?  Here it is a copper colour, not gold, and I have read that gesso can be more than gold and/or gilded.  What's also interesting is the metal reinforcement that is the same colour as the pediments.  And, when looking from the back, those pediments seem to at least indicate a base, wood composition.  Anything anyone can offer up to me on that particular mirror, it's likely origin, style era, and so on would be welcome.  I want to get an idea of value, so for resale purposes I can price adequately and not mistakenly price it too low ~ or ~ too high, if I'm really off the mark in thinking it's quite an unusual antique, and I don't see anything quite to compare it to.  Has it been modified in some way?  Is the copper colour been painted over in some way?  I'm at a real loss.

The larger mirror is gorgeous, and obviously it needs to be cleaned - dust and dirt accumulation in the corners.  Should I attempt that myself, or leave that to the buyer?  I would think to let the buyer clean it up myself, but maybe doing so would be an investment to getting a good price for it.  I initially thought I was going to keep the larger one for myself, but I think now, it's too large for my purposes.

Size-wise, the smaller rectangular mirror is 20 3/16 x 30 1/8" square, and with pediments or embellishments included, size is 23 9.16" x 32 3/4" 

The larger framed gold mirror is approximately 37 1/2 x 47 1/2", and the plate mirror itself is approx. 29 1/2 x 39 1/2"

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Now to include some pictures, such as I've taken.

Category
General Antiques and Collectibles
Medium
Wood frame, possible gesso pediments (?), mercury glass on older of two mirrors to my belief
Date Period
Believe if antique, maybe small rectangular is circa 1900, and the larger gold framed mirror might be more mid-19th century, but stand to be corrected.
Weight
Didn't weigh either. If I'm guessing, I'd say 25 to 30 lbs for the smaller rectangular mirror, and likely somewhere in the 35 to 45 ib. range for the larger gold framed mirror.
History
Just came from a large rural property - that was "downsizing". I am keeping the small electric chainsaw - haha - for the spring now, as winter and snow have come early to Southern Ontario (Canada).
Price
Need help with
Price Paid (If known)
I paid $35 Canadian at auction for both mirrors.
For Sale?
Yes
Photos

Miklos

5 years 5 months ago

Re: Antique/Vintage Mirror Finds at Auction - Want to Re-Sell

UPDATE - found a strikingly similar mirror - French wood gesso, three-panel mirror with what I would term the same look and feel for the ornate (copper-coloured) wood and gesso mirror I have here, and I spoke to the seller of that piece, who agreed.  I would, therefore, likely assume that this piece originated from the same company and was made in American in the late 1800s Victorian Era by the National Mirror Company/Standard Mirror Co. of Buffalo, New York.  This company operated throughout the mid-1800s through to the 1940s.  So, if anyone's interested, I now have a price for that one.

I just need a little more insight for the larger gold gesso framed mirror.  Thank you.  (I looked at so many pictures of mirrors, I practically jumped out of my seat when I found the one I could actually compare it to.)

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Lovejoy

5 years 5 months ago

Re: Antique/Vintage Mirror Finds at Auction - Want to Re-Sell

Neither of these mirrors are really antique, I doubt they predate the 1920's. The gesso  frame is of a type made well into the late 1940's, the other has mirror mounts not really in use until the 1930's.

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