Dutch Art Deco Hand-Hammered Copper Mirror, 1920s

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A distinctive hand-hammered copper wall mirror in the style of the Amsterdamse School, the influential Dutch architectural and decorative arts … Read more A distinctive hand-hammered copper wall mirror in the style of the Amsterdamse School, the influential Dutch architectural and decorative arts movement that flourished in Amsterdam during the 1920s and 1930s. This movement, closely related to Art Deco and Expressionism, was characterised by its emphasis on expressive craftsmanship, sculptural forms, and the use of traditional materials worked with bold, modern sensibility.

This mirror features a striking elongated eye or diamond-shaped form with a wide faceted copper frame. The angular planes of the frame create a dynamic, sculptural surface, while the hand-hammered texture across the entire piece — visible in the characteristic dimpled pattern — is the unmistakable signature of artisanal metalwork from this period. The copper has developed a rich, warm patina with beautiful tonal variation, the result of nearly a century of natural ageing.

The frame measures approximately 57 cm wide by 32.5 cm tall and 2 cm deep, enclosing a diamond-shaped mirror glass of approximately 43 cm by 22 cm. The original mirror glass and all original hardware are intact, including hand-bent copper tabs and hanging wire on the reverse. The piece weighs 1.5 kg.

The Amsterdamse School, led by architects and designers such as Michel de Klerk and Piet Kramer, left a lasting mark on Dutch design. Handmade metalwork — in copper, wrought iron, and brass — was an integral part of the movement's output, used in everything from architectural fixtures to domestic decorative objects. This mirror is a fine surviving example of that tradition. See less