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ID #SA1194799
FOR SALE
£1,850
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Early 20th Century English Fairground Mirror
The House of Antiques
for sale €2,165     $2,350
£1,850
The House of Antiques

The House of Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Nov 2022
Browse dealers 139 items
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Id #SA1194799
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Early 20th Century English Fairground Mirror

1900 - 1920
Description

Early 20th century English distorted glass fairground mirror

Dimensions in inches: H 72” x W 36” x D 7”

Age: 1920 - 1940

Origin: United Kingdom

Condition: Good

Overview

A large example of an English distorted original fairground mirror, dated to the early part of the 20th century. This example is unusually wide, it has been repainted from light blue to black as this can be seen. The mirror is also aged well with natural mercury spots and aged scratches more to one side than the other. With 2 support brass brackets still in place, this mirror weighs roughly 40kgs but can be attached to a wall. Giving a great, strong distorted effect to brighten up any hallway.

Condition

• Over 80 years old which you can see in the mirror

• One side of the mirror is more scratched than the other side

• Spottled effect has taken place naturally over many years

• Pine frame has been repainted from blue to black

• Backing is firmly in place

• An old example so please expect this in the condition of the item

Shipping & Handling

• UK Buyers: Delivery available via trusted couriers, including bespoke service for large or fragile items

• International Buyers: Shipping available worldwide — please contact us for a custom quote before purchase

• We highly recommend tracked, insured, and crated shipping for this item due to its rarity and fragility

• Shipping time: 3–5 working days to dispatch

Our Guarantee

We pride ourselves on transparency, craftsmanship, and customer satisfaction. All items are described and photographed as accurately as possible. Please inspect all photos and ask any questions prior to purchase — we are here to help ensure confidence in your decision.

Returns & Cancellations

• Returns accepted only if the item is not as described, reported within 48 hours of delivery

• Change-of-mind cancellations are not accepted

• Return shipping (including insurance) is the responsibility of the buyer unless otherwise agreed upon

Photographic Rights

All images are the property of The House of Antiques Ltd. For usage rights or publication inquiries, please contact us in advance.

Physical Dimensions
Height
182.9cm (72.01")
Width
91.4cm (35.98")
Depth
17.8cm (7.01")
Declaration

The House of Antiques has dated this Antique Fairground Mirror to the 1920s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1194799
Dealers Internal Reference
fairground mirror
Description
Early 20th century English distorted glass fairground mirror

Dimensions in inches: H 72” x W 36” x D 7”

Age: 1920 - 1940

Origin: United Kingdom

Condition: Good

Overview

“
A large example of an English distorted original fairground mirror, dated to the early part of the 20th century.
The House of Antiques

This example is unusually wide, it has been repainted from light blue to black as this can be seen. The mirror is also aged well with natural mercury spots and aged scratches more to one side than the other. With 2 support brass brackets still in place, this mirror weighs roughly 40kgs but can be attached to a wall. Giving a great, strong distorted effect to brighten up any hallway.

fig 1. A rectangular early 20th century fairground mirror featuring an undulating distorting glass surface housed in a simple dark painted wooden frame.
fig 1. Early 20th Century English Fairground Mirror

Condition

• Over 80 years old which you can see in the mirror

• One side of the mirror is more scratched than the other side

• Spottled effect has taken place naturally over many years

• Pine frame has been repainted from blue to black

fig 2. A rectangular early 20th century fairground mirror featuring an undulating distorting glass surface housed in a simple dark painted wooden frame.
fig 2. Early 20th Century English Fairground Mirror

• Backing is firmly in place

• An old example so please expect this in the condition of the item

Shipping & Handling

• UK Buyers: Delivery available via trusted couriers, including bespoke service for large or fragile items

fig 3. A rectangular early 20th century fairground mirror featuring an undulating distorting glass surface housed in a simple dark painted wooden frame.
fig 3. Early 20th Century English Fairground Mirror

• International Buyers: Shipping available worldwide — please contact us for a custom quote before purchase

• We highly recommend tracked, insured, and crated shipping for this item due to its rarity and fragility

fig 4. A rectangular early 20th century fairground mirror featuring an undulating distorting glass surface housed in a simple dark painted wooden frame.
fig 4. Early 20th Century English Fairground Mirror

• Shipping time: 3–5 working days to dispatch

Our Guarantee

We pride ourselves on transparency, craftsmanship, and customer satisfaction. All items are described and photographed as accurately as possible. Please inspect all photos and ask any questions prior to purchase — we are here to help ensure confidence in your decision.

fig 5. A rectangular early 20th century fairground mirror featuring an undulating distorting glass surface housed in a simple dark painted wooden frame.
fig 5. Early 20th Century English Fairground Mirror

Returns & Cancellations

• Returns accepted only if the item is not as described, reported within 48 hours of delivery

• Change-of-mind cancellations are not accepted

• Return shipping (including insurance) is the responsibility of the buyer unless otherwise agreed upon

Photographic Rights

All images are the property of The House of Antiques Ltd. For usage rights or publication inquiries, please contact us in advance.

Height
182.9cm (72.01")
Width
91.4cm (35.98")
Depth
17.8cm (7.01")
Date of Manufacture

The House of Antiques has dated this Antique Fairground Mirror to the 1920s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1194799
Dealers Internal Ref
fairground mirror
The House of Antiques
The House of Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Nov 2022
Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the The House of Antiques Profile Page

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A rectangular early 20th century fairground mirror featuring an undulating distorting glass surface housed in a simple dark painted wooden frame.
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Archive I A rectangular early 20th century fairground mirror featuring an undulating distorting glass surface housed in a simple dark painted wooden frame.

Early 20th Century English Fairground Mirror

Archive II A rectangular early 20th century fairground mirror featuring an undulating distorting glass surface housed in a simple dark painted wooden frame. View II
Archive III A rectangular early 20th century fairground mirror featuring an undulating distorting glass surface housed in a simple dark painted wooden frame. View III
Archive IV A rectangular early 20th century fairground mirror featuring an undulating distorting glass surface housed in a simple dark painted wooden frame. View IV
Archive V A rectangular early 20th century fairground mirror featuring an undulating distorting glass surface housed in a simple dark painted wooden frame. View V
Archive VI A rectangular early 20th century fairground mirror featuring an undulating distorting glass surface housed in a simple dark painted wooden frame. View VI
Archive VII A rectangular early 20th century fairground mirror featuring an undulating distorting glass surface housed in a simple dark painted wooden frame. View VII
Archive VIII A rectangular early 20th century fairground mirror featuring an undulating distorting glass surface housed in a simple dark painted wooden frame. View VIII
Archive IX A rectangular early 20th century fairground mirror featuring an undulating distorting glass surface housed in a simple dark painted wooden frame. View IX
Archive X A rectangular early 20th century fairground mirror featuring an undulating distorting glass surface housed in a simple dark painted wooden frame. View X
Archive XI A rectangular early 20th century fairground mirror featuring an undulating distorting glass surface housed in a simple dark painted wooden frame. View XI
Archive XII A rectangular early 20th century fairground mirror featuring an undulating distorting glass surface housed in a simple dark painted wooden frame. View XII
Archive XIII A rectangular early 20th century fairground mirror featuring an undulating distorting glass surface housed in a simple dark painted wooden frame. View XIII
Archive XIV A rectangular early 20th century fairground mirror featuring an undulating distorting glass surface housed in a simple dark painted wooden frame. View XIV
Enlarged Archival View
The House of Antiques

The House of Antiques
Telephone 07568 151 752
Location
22 Goodmayes Lane
Ilford
Essex
IG3 9NZ
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/thehouseofantiques
Verified Since Nov 2022
Items For Sale 139
Items Sold 11
The House of Antiques
The House of Antiques
Verified Since Nov 2022
View Dealer Info
Location: 22 Goodmayes Lane, Ilford, Essex, IG3 9NZ, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/thehouseofantiques
Verified
Nov 2022
For Sale
139
Sold
11
A rectangular early 20th century fairground mirror featuring an undulating distorting glass surface housed in a simple dark painted wooden frame.
Early 20th century English fairground mirror
Ref: SA1194799
A rectangular early 20th century fairground mirror featuring an undulating distorting glass surface housed in a simple dark painted wooden frame.
Detail View 1
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Archival Detail

Strictly Vetted Dealers

Every single antique dealer on our platform is individually approved by our internal team. We verify their professional trade history, ethical standards, and photographic quality to ensure a secure, high-standard buying environment. Upon joining, every dealer agrees to a strict 9-point code of conduct. While issues can occasionally arise, our dealers typically resolve them swiftly and directly with the buyer. In fact, since our founding in 2002, Sellingantiques has only had to step in to help resolve an issue on roughly five occasions—a true testament to the quality of our dealers and their dedication to your happiness.

Secure Transit

Our dealers are highly experienced in packing and shipping fragile, high-value antiques. Because you are in direct contact with the dealer, you will be able to easily go through all available shipping and insurance options together to ensure your item arrives safely.

The Sustainable Choice

Antiques are the ultimate green purchase. By choosing historical pieces over newly manufactured goods, you completely eliminate the carbon footprint of modern mass production while preserving exceptional, timeless craftsmanship.

FAQs

Fairground mirrors, also known as funhouse or distorting mirrors, originated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as popular attractions in travelling carnivals and seaside arcades, designed to alter reflections through curved glass or reflective metal surfaces.

These mirrors were traditionally constructed using silvered glass mounted over shaped or undulating wooden backings, enclosed within heavy timber frames designed to withstand frequent transportation.

Authentic examples typically show natural signs of age on the mirror backing, such as foxing or desilvering, alongside heavy-duty wooden framing, period fixings, and genuine glass distortion rather than modern acrylic plastic.

A distorting fairground mirror serves as a statement art piece in hallway entrances, gallery walls, or powder rooms, introducing texture, character, and visual intrigue to the space.

Clean the glass surface gently using a soft microfibre cloth slightly dampened with water, avoiding harsh chemicals or liquid cleaner seepage around the frame edges that could degrade the underlying silvering.
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