Silver Table Easel Mirror
A silver table easel mirror brings both practical vanity and desk-top shine, supported by a hinged back that props the glass upright.
Silver Table Easel Mirror
A silver table easel mirror is a dressing table or vanity accessory designed to stand independently on a flat surface using a rear support strut. The pieces seen here span the Victorian, Edwardian, and Art Deco eras, alongside German pewter and French designs.
The most common examples on this page are sterling silver or silver plated dressing table mirrors from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. These take rectangular, circular, or heart shapes, often backed in wood, leather, or velvet to protect the tabletop.
How they were made
Maker workshops combined sheet sterling silver or silver plate with structural frames of wood or pewter, attaching a hinged rear easel strut. Glass plates formed the reflective surface, protected at the rear by materials such as velvet or leather.
Many frames display hand-chased or embossed decoration, while others use pierced metalwork to depict natural motifs like animals and birds, reflecting the prevailing Art Nouveau and Victorian styles.
Some dressing table mirrors feature hidden compartments behind the glass for secret love letters.
What varies in quality
The distinction between standard and finer examples rests upon the weight of the metal and the complexity of the chasing. Substantial sterling silver frames with deep, crisp embossing command greater attention than lighter plated alternatives.
Condition of the original mirror glass and the structural integrity of the easel strut also dictate standing quality. Intact backings of period velvet or leather add to the integrity of the piece.
WMF·William Comyns·Henry Matthews
The Silver Table Easel Mirror Glossary
- Easel back
- A hinged rear strut that props a mirror upright on a table. This mechanical support allows the glass to tilt at a convenient viewing angle.
- Sterling silver
- An alloy containing ninety-two point five percent silver by mass, with the remainder being other metals. It provides the bright reflective body for many period frames.
- Silver plate
- A layer of silver applied to a base metal core such as copper or brass. It offered a more affordable alternative to solid sterling.
- Pewter
- A malleable metal alloy traditionally consisting of tin alloyed with copper and antimony. It was utilised by continental makers like WMF for dark, lustrous frames.
- Hallmark
- A series of official marks stamped on precious metals showing the standard of purity, the assay office, and the date letter. These stamps help verify the origin of English silver.
Silver Table Easel Mirror: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I date a silver mirror?
English sterling silver examples carry hallmarks stamped into the metal rim or backing mount. These marks typically include a date letter indicating the precise year of assay.
Stilistic details such as the flowing floral lines of Art Nouveau or the geometric edges of Art Deco provide further chronological clues when hallmarks are absent or worn.
Are these mirrors heavy?
Large sterling silver models possess a solid metal front mounted over a wooden core, giving them considerable heft. Smaller variants or plated versions feel lighter upon the dressing table.
The rear easel strut must support this weight securely, so sturdy hinges are essential to the design.
How do I clean the silver frame?
Soft cloths and gentle silver polish remove tarnish from the embossed metal without harming the surrounding glass. Care must be taken around fabric or leather backings to avoid moisture damage.
Many collectors prefer to leave a degree of aged patina within the recessed details of Victorian chasing.
What is behind the glass?
Period dressing table mirrors typically utilise a wooden carcass or heavy cardboard core beneath the silver mount. This interior structure is then covered at the back with plush velvet, watered silk, or leather.
The hinged easel strut attaches directly to this sturdy backing assembly.