One of the items from the everyday past which I am particularly fond of is the silver hand mirror. They always cheer up a utilitarian bathroom with a little pop of bling and are usually very good value and increasingly collectible.
A Victorian Sterling silver mirror from 1897 – silver was a bit of a luxury item but most women would have had this essential item of the vanity set, maybe in wood or a base metal.
This one dating from 1882 is American – made by the highly reputable Gorham Manufacturing Company. Do we like the unusual rectangle shape? – I can’t decide.
Miniature ones were made to slip into a reticule – sweet heart shape and engraved with the owner’s initials.
Styles changed with the fashion – this rather elaborate design featuring a heart and ivy leaves is from the Art Nouveau period.
Whereas this clean lined beauty owes its allure to Art Deco.
And if you find yourself with a bit of a hand mirror obsession you can always do this with them – I rather like it.
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