How do I date a brass dressing mirror?

Look to the construction of the hinges, the style of the screws, and the backplate. Late nineteenth and early twentieth-century examples often use heavy cast brass with distinct rococo revival casting marks. Examine the glass itself, as older plates show subtle imperfections and hand-bevelled edges that differ from modern float glass.

Are folding triple mirrors Edwardian?

Folding triple dressing table mirrors appear frequently from the Edwardian period onwards. They allowed users to see angles of view during grooming. Many surviving pieces from this era utilise brass frames and hinged side panels designed to sit securely on a dressing chest.

How were these mirrors used?

These mirrors sat upon dressing tables, vanities, and chests of drawers in bedrooms and boudoirs. Their primary role was personal grooming and cosmetic application in reflected daylight or candlelight. Easel backs and pivoting frames allowed the user to adjust the angle of the glass for comfort.

What is the difference between giltwood and ormolu?

Giltwood consists of carved timber coated in gold leaf, whereas ormolu is gilded bronze or brass. Giltwood offers softer, carved organic forms while ormolu provides crisper metallic detail. Both materials were utilised to create the decorative gold frames found on dressing tables.