Q & A

J.F. of Oakville Ontario writes:

I acquired this gilt metal easel framed mirror from an aunt. I believe the frame is from the 19th century. The mirror itself, I don't think is old as it is thick (pencil seems far away when placed at the mirror) and looks fairly new. The frame is 15 in. high, 8 in. across. How much do you think it may be worth?

We asked Charles Cripps to respond:

The mirror is French in origin and might be referred to as a 'Gilded dressing Table Mirror'. It is cast metal (without seeing the object I cannot tell what the metal is). The design would dictate that it is for the dressing table of a lady and would originally have been gilded (gold leaf). The design is typical, with scroll and foliate with pierced work and embellished with a three dimensional 'winged putti', ostensibly steadying the mirror. circa 1880. If the mirror is thick, it would indicate that it has been replaced, most probably with a good quality 'plate' mirror.

These mirrors were quite popular in France and Continental Europe in the 18th. and 19th. centuries. The British tended to favour the wooden dressing table mirror, in various woods and well into the 19th. century.

This does not really detract from the value. I recently discovered a mirror of similar style and age, listed for $2400.00. It was somewhat larger that this one. In my estimation this one would have a replacement value of $1600.00.

.