Arts and Crafts Copper Mirror
These arts and crafts copper mirror pieces combine hand-beaten metalwork with domestic utility, sought after for their distinctive period character.
Arts and Crafts Copper Mirror
An arts and crafts copper mirror brings handcrafted metalwork into domestic spaces through wall-hung and table-standing designs. The pieces on this page span the late nineteenth century into the nineteen-twenties, originating predominantly from the Edwardian period and nineteen-hundred decade.
Most examples present rectangular, oval, or round frames beaten by hand and mounted on wooden backs. Alongside dedicated wall mirrors, the selection includes related forms like sideboard frames and dressing table mirrors incorporating oak or brass elements.
Materials and construction
Makers shaped sheet copper by hand, utilising repoussé and hammering techniques to raise motifs from the metal surface. These frames frequently incorporate brass, pewter, ceramic cabochons, or wood inlay, mounted securely onto solid oak backboards.
Surfaces display distinct tool marks left by the artisan during the beating process, combined with bevelled mirror glass or plain reflective plates. Enamel accents and applied metal details complete the construction of the frame.
Listings feature periods from eighteen-ninety to nineteen-twenty, combining copper, brass, pewter, and oak.
Judging quality and craftsmanship
Quality rests upon the depth and control of the hand-beaten relief work across the copper frame. Crisp detailing in motifs like stylised trees or botanical pods separates accomplished workshop production from simpler output.
The integrity of the wooden sub-frame and the preservation of the original surface finish dictate the desirability of each piece. Superior examples display harmonious integration between the metalwork, glass, and timber components.
Liberty and Company·Hugh Wallis·W H Mawson·Shapland and Petter
The Arts and Crafts Copper Mirror Glossary
- Repoussé
- A metalworking technique where the artisan hammers the design from the reverse side to form a raised relief on the front. This method defines the decorative surface of many frames.
- Bevelled glass
- Mirror glass featuring an angled, polished edge that catches the light and adds depth to the reflection. It appears frequently in better-quality period frames.
- Cabochon
- A polished, convex gemstone or ceramic piece lacking facets, often set directly into the copper frame. Ruskin pottery inserts are a notable example found on these pieces.
- Stylised
- A design approach that simplifies natural forms, such as trees, honesty seeds, or flowers, into geometric or flowing patterns typical of the period.
Arts and Crafts Copper Mirror: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I hang an arts and crafts copper mirror?
Most wall-hung examples feature original chains, cord attachments, or reinforced brackets fixed directly to the timber backboards.
Check the strength of these mounts before hanging, and use fixings suited to the weight of the copper and wood frame.
Are the mirror plates original?
Many pieces retain their original bevelled or flat glass, often showing light foxing and age spots from the period.
Replacement glass occurs when old mirrors break, so examine the silvering and edges for signs of age.
How should I clean the copper frame?
Maintain the surface by dusting gently with a dry cloth to preserve the dark oxidation and warm tones built up over decades.
Avoid harsh metal polishes that strip away the authentic patination characteristic of early metalwork.
What woods were used for the frames?
Oak serves as the primary timber backing and structural support for the metal front plates, often finished in a warm golden hue.
Some pieces also incorporate wood inlay or appear as dressing table mirrors attached to larger oak furniture.