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Antiques! => Antique Questions Forum => Topic started by: snowflake on October 24, 2011, 07:54:48 pm

Title: How old is this mirror?
Post by: snowflake on October 24, 2011, 07:54:48 pm

This is my second favorite mirror. It is plaster. Weighs quite a bit. Has been painted so many times, but not worried, I don't want to sell it. I know the mirror has been replaced. It is about 2 foot, 1 inch across. The mirror is 1 foot, 1/4 inch across. Thickness of frame varies but mostly 1 1/4 inch.

I'd love to know how old you think it might be. No marks that I can notice.

Thanks!  :)

Title: Re: How old is this mirror?
Post by: greenacres on October 24, 2011, 08:03:34 pm

Wood or Metal?

Title: Re: How old is this mirror?
Post by: snowflake on October 24, 2011, 08:09:22 pm

Plaster.

Title: Re: How old is this mirror?
Post by: BungalowMo on October 25, 2011, 04:23:38 pm

Wow....that reminds me of your name!  Snowflake! 

It's very pretty, but I've really never seen anything quite like it...

Title: Re: How old is this mirror?
Post by: talesofthesevenseas on October 25, 2011, 06:03:48 pm

Wow that is cool. I wasn't expecting much when you said it was plaster, but then I scrolled down and did a double-take. That is really neat. The molded plaster frames are referred to as "Gesso" frames. Gesso was developed in order to save time so that wooden designs did not have to be carved in architectural features, frames etc. The technique dates back to the 18th century, so dating your mirror would be very difficult without a maker's mark.

Title: Re: How old is this mirror?
Post by: mart on October 25, 2011, 06:27:34 pm

Tales is right !!  Dating would be difficult !! Gesso has been used forever and some were produced well into the sixties !! Since it has been painted cannot tell what the original would have looked like but I would bet a dollar to a donut that it was originally gold leafed and antiqued !!

Title: Re: How old is this mirror?
Post by: Oceans64 on October 25, 2011, 06:35:18 pm

WooHoo!! I get to point to my fav website (ala Tales recommendation) twice in 1 day!!

If you want to remove the paint safely so you can bring back details, check this out: http://www.ourvictorianhouse.com/ReceptionHall.htm#The%20Corbels

He uses a product called Peel Away and it looks like it does a great job for this type of application. Believe you can find it at big box hardware stores.

Title: Re: How old is this mirror?
Post by: snowflake on October 25, 2011, 06:54:19 pm

It has been painted so many times if there ever was a mark, it's probably covered up. No worries, I was just curious. It's one heavy thing! Gesso! Thanks.
Oh and the link. I am in love...

Thanks, everyone. I appreciate the response. Now that I look at it again...a snowflake. (Smiling)