Antique 1910`s English Blackforest Style Oval Wall Mirror, Large, Hand Carved Oak, Original Mercury Glass Plate, Bevelled

Description

Antique Blackforest style oval wall mirror, large hand carved oak frame with original antique bevelled mirror plate, 1910`s ca, English. … more Antique Blackforest style oval wall mirror, large hand carved oak frame with original antique bevelled mirror plate, 1910`s ca, English.

This antique mirror has been gently cleaned & wax polished while preserving the aged patina and is ready to hang.

This impressively large and well carved mirror is in the Blackforest style and made in England at the beginning of the 20th Century. It is inspired by the craftsmanship of alpine carvers years earlier. This mirror could be used vertically as a hall mirror or horizontally as an over-mantle mirror.

Its austere & elegant sculptural shape and rich texture with the use of oak wood make it a decorative statement piece. It would suit a range of interiors such as Traditional, Country, Cabin, Contemporary or Industrial.

The hand carving is innovative, crisp and well executed. The solid oak used is of a high grade, which has resulted in a warm rich colour & patina. This results in a quality sturdy mirror with a nice heavy weight.
Looking in detail the oak frame is carved with acanthus leaves intricately interwoven with each other in a continuous pattern along the frame. The outer trim is carved with a textured scale pattern, this is interrupted with a round shape in four areas and then the pattern is reversed. The inner trim is different & raised to create depth: a cylinder pattern with alternative portions carved with a knot.

This Edwardian mirror retains its original antique thick beveled edge mercury glass plate, which adds value to the piece. This has it distinctive silver warm tone and depth of glass.

Looking at the back this mirror is still covered with the original antique paper sealed thin wooden plate, and has the original brass metal loop through which it hangs vertical on the wall (this plate could be easily unscrewed & fit to hang horizontally if required). A tiny portion of the original retailer`s paper label is still attached to the back.

This mirror is in very good condition for its age. The frame is sound and tight with no cracks, chips or missing parts, only minor rubbing & tiny marks. The oak tonality is rich and uniform. The back wooden plate has minor loses, rubbing & some restoration in places. The mirror surface is in good condition with no chips or cracks, still very reflective but has some light foxing in places, a few light scratches, and some age deterioration in a few areas (as photographed), all this adding charm & character, as expected for an antique mirror.

Additional dimensions:

The total external dimensions are: Height: 82 cm, Width: 56 cm, Depth: 3.5 cm

The actual mirror surface dimensions are: Height: 69.5 cm, Width: 44 cm

Packing is offered free of charge. We take special professional care while packing. The mirror would be wrapped in bubble wrap, foam and an outer layer of card. It will be fitted into a box with loose fill packing nuts, safe for posting with a courier. We ship with reliable couriers (signed for, tracked & insured).

Please note that the shipping cost advertised here also includes all destination import duties & local taxes as required by Chairish, so we will ship from the United Kingdom to USA this item DTP (Duties & Taxes Paid).

BLACK FOREST CARVINGS HISTORY

Black Forest carvings usually depict forest animals, particularly bears, and foliage. A common misconception is that they originate from the Bavarian Black Forest of southwestern Germany, but it has in fact been established that they are the creation of Swiss carvers, originating in the town of Brienz. From humble beginnings of a cottage industry in the early 1800`s it grew by the turn of the 20th Century to become the major employer of an entire skilled community.

Black Forest carvings are often humorous and whimsical such as bears smoking pipes, reading books, or skiing. The carvings were exhibited at many international exhibitions such as London Great Exhibition of 1851, Chicago World’s Fair 1893, and Exposition Universelle Paris 1900. In Europe, they became a symbol of luxury and wealth as the Victorian travelers on the `Grand Tour` ventured into the Alps and brought examples to England. less