Featured Help me identify massive 11 foot mirror

I purchased a home back in October, and the parlor has a very large mirror, which seems to be made out of some sort of plaster.

The house I purchased is a very large Victorian built in 1906, and at the closing, the previous owners, who had been in the house for almost 50 years, mentioned that the mirror was imported from France for the first owner's wedding.

I'm attaching a couple of pictures. Anybody have any info on it? Any idea what its worth?

 

It's called a pier mirror.

 

Oh,its lovely ! Why would you want to get rid of it ?!?

 

Thanks

Not looking to get rid of it - just trying to learn more about it. It's been staring me in the face for the last 2 months and I've been getting more curious.

 

I think it could well be from when the house was built,this style was all the rage then. I bet it weighs a ton ! The size and the weight really limit the resale value on pieces like this,unless of course its a chippendale or something. Most people just wouldn't have room for it ! Id have thought more Italian than French. Are you sure its plaster and not gesso over wood ?

By the way ,LOVE your house.

 

The weight scares me a bit. Like - is it bolted in there, or is there 110 year old glue holding it place? :-/

Honestly I have no idea what it is made from. Is there any way to tell?

 

Tap on it and see if it makes a wood or plaster sound; experiment with wood and plaster first if you need to learn what each sounds like. If an area has damaged paint it won't hurt to explore there with a sharp knife to get to the base material and ID it.

 

When your house was built, and the mirror was added, the men who did the work were craftsmen proud of doing their job well. That mirror is securely attached to the wall.

Most likely gilded gesso over wood framing. Absolutely lovely.
Please don't go digging at it with a knife to see what it is made of.

 

And for goodness sake! move the furniture out of the way so we can see it properly!

I found one of those in my house when we moved in as well, not as imposing, but very attractive, with a marble shelf at the bottom. Love them!!!

 

Or if you feel you must know what the frame's made of, drill a 1/8 inch hole in an inconspicuous place and see whether wood particles or white dust comes out along the drill bit. You can hide the hole with a bit of gold-colored wax from a gold colored crayon, but you may have to buy one of the larger crayon boxes to get a gold one. Then use the red crayon to print "I will not drill holes in my possessions" 100 times.

 

The mirror is quite striking.

I also appreciate both the appearance and utility of the "pocket doors" to the side of the mirror.

 

I keep coming back to look at your mirror. Covet! Covet!!

 

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your mirror, but when it comes to pocket doors like those, well, I'd just about sell anything I own......but then of course I'd have to have the house along with them....

 

Thanks everyone. I was examining the mirror more closely and it could definitely be wood coated in something. I was looking for an area that may have a scratch or dent in it to look more closely, but couldn't find one.

I love the pocket doors as well. The house has 8 sets of them. Here is a pic of a massive pocket door, about 5 feet across that is the entrance to my sitting room off the main entrance.

 

Drooling over your house!

 

"8 sets of pocket doors" -- there is no emoticon for that as far as I know unless it would be eight, count them, eight !!!

 

Ha-ha thanks. Yes the house is a bit overwhelming. I always said that I'd rather live in a 100 year old creeky drafty house than a new cookie cutter one! Here's another set.

 

Your house is amazing... can't beat that dark wood and open spaces and huge mirrors.
Also... hola and welcome to the Forums!
Gila

 

Beautiful mirror and home. Here is a link on caring for gilded frames. Be careful, because water can destroy water gilding but you can us paint stripper and it won't harm it. On the other hand, if it is oil gilded, water won't harm it but paint stripper will destroy it. I think your frame must have been sealed or restored if there are no signs of wear to the gold.

http://www.conservation-design.com/newsletter_giltobjectscare.html

 

Seriously, could we have pictures of every inch of that house? A video tour? Or make it into a Bed & Breakfast, and then offer a weekend in the Give Away Forum??? Or throw a party and invite us? I mean everybody here knows I'm a shy little wallflower, but I'd be there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!