Edwardian Standing Full Mirror
An edwardian standing full mirror offers a tilting plate housed within a freestanding frame, providing a practical addition to any bedroom or dressing space.
Edwardian Standing Full Mirror
The search phrase edwardian standing full mirror brings up freestanding swing glasses designed for full-length viewing, typically taking the form of cheval mirrors mounted on pivoting frames. While Edwardian examples feature directly in the listings, buyers also encounter pieces spanning the Victorian, Regency, George III, and 1920 periods.
The most common timber encountered among these listings is mahogany, often complemented by satinwood, oak, burr walnut, and giltwood frames. Forms range from simple rectangular dressing mirrors to large country house pieces supported on barley twist columns or elaborate stands.
Originating primarily as functional dressing furniture, these items appear in various stylistic guises including Chinoiserie, Victorian Gothic, and marquetry inlaid designs. They serve the same purpose today as they did originally, allowing a full-length view while adding weight and presence to a room.
Materials and construction
Makers utilised solid timbers such as mahogany, oak, and satinwood to construct the heavy freestanding frames necessary to support a large tilting glass. Inlaid details, marquetry, and carved elements like barley twist supports demonstrate the cabinetmaker's skill in ornamenting the uprights and crossbars.
The reflective component relies on glass, frequently featuring bevelled edges, set within a pivoting frame held by brass pins or pivots. This arrangement allows the mirror plate to tilt to various angles while remaining securely balanced between the vertical uprights.
Distinctions in craftsmanship
The distinction between standard examples and finer pieces often rests on the choice of timber and the complexity of the cabinetwork. Selected veneers such as burr walnut or satinwood, alongside detailed marquetry inlay and careful carving, elevate the standing mirror beyond simple utility.
Proportion and stability dictate the success of the design, with superior pieces maintaining a heavy, well-balanced stance that prevents wobble when the glass is tilted. The integration of high-quality brass hardware and bevelled mirror glass further separates the finest examples from simpler utilitarian items.
Waring and Gillow·Gillow
The Edwardian Standing Full Mirror Glossary
- Cheval mirror
- A large freestanding mirror designed to swing vertically within a frame, allowing a full-length view of the viewer. The word derives from the French for horse, referring to the four-legged frame supporting the glass.
- Bevelled glass
- A mirror plate with edges cut and polished at an angle to create a framed border effect within the glass itself. This technique catches the light and denotes finer manufacture.
- Barley twist
- A carved wooden support shaped in a helical screw pattern resembling a twisted rope or barley sugar. It appears frequently on the vertical columns of Victorian and later stands.
- Marquetry
- Decorative patterns formed by fitting together contrasting pieces of veneer onto a wooden surface. It is often seen on satinwood and mahogany frames from the Edwardian period.
- Giltwood
- Timber that has been coated with gold leaf or a gold-coloured finish to provide a bright, decorative surface. This finish is commonly found on 19th-century dressing and wall mirrors.
Edwardian Standing Full Mirror: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a cheval mirror?
A cheval mirror is a full-length dressing glass supported by a freestanding frame that allows the plate to swing on pivots. This design permits the user to tilt the glass to various angles.
Such pieces were intended for bedrooms and dressing rooms, standing directly on the floor without the need for wall fixings or a dressing table base.
How do I secure the tilting glass?
The glass swings between two vertical posts held by brass screw pins or pivot bolts. Tightening these fixings maintains the desired angle of the mirror.
Over time, the hardware may require gentle adjustment to ensure the heavy glass holds its position firmly without slipping forward or backward.
Where should I place a standing mirror?
These mirrors require adequate floor space and a stable surface to bear their considerable weight. Placing them in bedrooms or large hallways allows for full-length reflection.
Positioning the glass opposite a window maximises natural light distribution across the room, though direct sunlight should be managed to protect antique timber finishes.
How do I date an Edwardian mirror?
Edwardian mirrors often feature lighter timbers such as satinwood, subtle marquetry inlay, and slender proportions compared to earlier Victorian examples. Construction methods and joinery details provide further clues to the period.
Comparing the style of the frame and the type of mirror glass against known examples helps narrow down the decade of manufacture between 1900 and 1910.