Doe and Hope

Description

The late Victorian period gilt painted cast iron swing frame dressing table mirror having oval glass on downswept supports decorated with leaves and scrolls, the pierced stand with a shell trinket dish tray, on scroll legs.

The condition remains very good. The mirror swings freely and both the paint and the mirror plate are untouched and original to the piece with some small areas of chipping. The glass is a later replacement so remains in very good order.

The form of the dressing table, or vanity, began to develop in the late 17th century in Europe. Eventually, in the later 19th century, the dressing table, like other cabinet furniture, became a matching part of the bedroom suite. A tabletop mirror such as this would have performed its duties in the same way but was portable and thus of great use for any well-procured female.

“Darling do hurry up we are running late…”
“I must protest, you well know I do not like to be harassed when I am preparing oneself.”

and so on...