How do I adjust the mirror height?

Many Victorian examples utilise a telescopic brass stem that secures with a tightening screw. You simply loosen the fitting, adjust the glass to the desired height, and retighten. Other tabletop models rely on side thumb-screws set into the frame supports to control the tilt angle of the glass plate.

What is a campaign shaving mirror?

A campaign shaving mirror is a portable folding design made for travel during the Georgian and 19th-century periods. The mirror folds neatly into a fitted mahogany box to protect the glass during transit. These compact units often include small compartments or drawers for shaving accessories and personal items.

Where were these mirrors placed?

Tabletop versions sat securely on top of chests of drawers or dedicated dressing tables in bedrooms. Freestanding tripod stands stood directly on the floor near a window or washstand to catch natural light. Wall-hanging variants were secured in bathrooms or dressing rooms where floor space was limited.

How do I tell a Georgian mirror from a Victorian one?

Georgian mirrors tend to feature cleaner lines, simpler mahogany frames, and box bases with small bracket feet. They often lack the complex telescopic brass mechanisms common in later eras. Victorian and Edwardian versions frequently introduce tripod bases, adjustable telescopic stems, inlaid decoration, and more robust hardware.