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Antiques! => Antique Questions Forum => Topic started by: idaho1 on July 22, 2012, 12:10:48 AM

Title: Old mirror . What were its uses ?
Post by: idaho1 on July 22, 2012, 12:10:48 AM: More idaho 'pickin' today . I found 2 of these mirrors . One is slightly larger and has porcelain knobs on it . This one has wood knobs . Both have beautifull colored inlays . One guy said they are old commode mirrors ?? . I would like to know their actuall use and aprox age .
(http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee287/bukettt/stf025.jpg)(http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee287/bukettt/stf026.jpg)(http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee287/bukettt/stf023.jpg)
Title: Re: Old mirror . What were its uses ?
Post by: mart on July 22, 2012, 06:27:43 AM: It has a wall hanger but does it look like it ever had a stand so it could sit on a shelf ?? If not,, why the feet ??
Title: Re: Old mirror . What were its uses ?
Post by: Rauville on July 22, 2012, 09:06:01 AM: My first thought was that these might have been used in a shoe store to allow you to "reflect" on a possible purchase. :-*
Title: Re: Old mirror . What were its uses ?
Post by: mart on July 22, 2012, 09:12:49 AM: Commode or washstand ?? Not sure !! A commode or chest would not have normally been used like that !!
Title: Re: Old mirror . What were its uses ?
Post by: KC on July 22, 2012, 02:20:56 PM: Do the knobs have any wear on them?
Title: Re: Old mirror . What were its uses ?
Post by: ghopper1924 on July 22, 2012, 03:36:02 PM: "A commode or chest would not have normally been used like that !!"

Right. The nobs don't make any sense from that perspective.
Title: Re: Old mirror . What were its uses ?
Post by: greenacres on July 22, 2012, 03:54:30 PM: I just got a similar mirror but it's much longer. Mine also attached to something. It's in my garage it's heavy. Maybe your's went to a vanity table. I'm still trying ti figure out mine. I thought mine went to a top of a head board. I have a headboard there, but I have to check it out. I want to hang it, bit it's so heavy I'm waiting till winter, lol
Title: Re: Old mirror . What were its uses ?
Post by: mart on July 22, 2012, 07:46:04 PM: Greenacres yours may have went with a buffet !!
Title: Re: Old mirror . What were its uses ?
Post by: KC on July 22, 2012, 11:39:05 PM: Also, pic #2 has a metal ? at the top of it. Can you post a better pic of it. Is it a hanger or a part of a hinge?
Title: Re: Old mirror . What were its uses ?
Post by: greenacres on July 23, 2012, 02:32:55 PM: Thanks, Thaey really made things in those days. The mirror ways a ton!
Title: Re: Old mirror . What were its uses ?
Post by: idaho1 on July 23, 2012, 05:43:15 PM: The knobs on the bottom only have ware on the bottoms . No sign of them being put into holes . The knobs unscrew and i see a rusty screw stud and a lighter area under the knob like they have been there forever . No plugged dowel holes . The metal part is a wall hanger , installed with vintage rusted screws looking like an original part also .
Alot of things like this show some signs of having 2 boards screwed to the back where that was mounted to a piece of furniture . These mirrors dont have those signs .
Title: Re: Old mirror . What were its uses ?
Post by: Rauville on July 23, 2012, 05:55:11 PM: What size are they?

I can still see these used in a shoe store, mounted at floor level.
Title: Re: Old mirror . What were its uses ?
Post by: KC on July 23, 2012, 06:32:47 PM: Rauville....the ones that I have ever come across for the shoe store were like these - they had handles and some way to prop....even if able to hang on the wall to get out of the way.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SHABBY-BUT-CHIC-VINTAGE-SHOE-STORE-MIRROR-GREAT-DISPLAY-0041010-/330636480134?pt=Mirrors&hash=item4cfb784e86 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/SHABBY-BUT-CHIC-VINTAGE-SHOE-STORE-MIRROR-GREAT-DISPLAY-0041010-/330636480134?pt=Mirrors&hash=item4cfb784e86)
http://www.theredvault.com/Vintage%20Shoe%20Store%20Mirror (http://www.theredvault.com/Vintage%20Shoe%20Store%20Mirror)

It didn't sound like there was any wear on the wooden "feet"....I am leaning towards that they are wall mounted mirrors that were above a chest of drawers (not dresser). Not fancy enough for living room display....but nice enough for the boudoir.
Title: Re: Old mirror . What were its uses ?
Post by: mart on July 23, 2012, 08:24:41 PM: Thats entirely possible KC !! The feet just resting on the top to keep it level since there is only one hanger !!! That would keep it straight !!
Title: Re: Old mirror . What were its uses ?
Post by: idaho1 on July 27, 2012, 06:08:40 PM: I met the lady today who sold me the mirrors at another yard sale so i asked her what they were used for . She said they are '' gentlemans dresser mirrors '' the knobs were added and not original . I guess they hang on the wall and the knobs were a personal decorative decision .

Sounds good to me ???
Title: Re: Old mirror . What were its uses ?
Post by: ghopper1924 on July 28, 2012, 01:08:19 AM: The knobs still don't make sense, but whatever. They're beautiful mirrors!!
Title: Re: Old mirror . What were its uses ?
Post by: bbc-antiques.co.uk on July 31, 2012, 11:08:37 AM: Quote from: mart on July 22, 2012, 06:27:43 AM
It has a wall hanger but does it look like it ever had a stand so it could sit on a shelf ?? If not,, why the feet ??
quite a standard item 19th century overmantle possibly Tunbridge inspired dates 1880 ish can be purchased from £20 to £100 depending where ! http://www.bbc-antiques.co.uk
Title: Re: Old mirror . What were its uses ?
Post by: mart on July 31, 2012, 12:57:05 PM: I think these are smaller than an overmantle would be !!
Title: Re: Old mirror . What were its uses ?
Post by: idaho1 on August 01, 2012, 06:02:41 PM: Its aprox 20 inches wide