Mercury Glass Mirror/picture

Discussion in 'Pottery, Glass, and Porcelain' started by Connie Osborne, Mar 21, 2017.

  1. Hi Everyone!
    It took me a while, but I wanted to see if anyone has any information on Mercury Glass mirrors.
    I found this one, and it reminds me (in my mind) of something that would have been used upstairs in the saloon back in the Wild Wild West! I say this because I remember seeing something like this either on Antiques Road Show or American Pickers.
    Any thoughts would be appreciated.
    I can't picture it, but when you look on the mirror side with a magnifying loop you see gray/silver spheres everywhere, hence how i know it is true mercury glass.
    I also noted the nails that it is fastened with and they look old too with the pinpoint in the center. It is 9 inches tall, 7 inches wide and the frame on the scalloped mercm001.JPG mercm003.JPG mercm004.JPG mercm005.JPG mercm006.JPG mercm007.JPG mercm008.JPG mercm009.JPG mercm010.JPG mercm011.JPG side is almost 1 inch.
    Again, I am new to all this, just love the hunt and value yall's opinions.
    Thank you! mercm001.JPG
     
    KingofThings likes this.
  2. dgbjwc

    dgbjwc Well-Known Member

    I can't help on the glass but the frame looks to me like it might have been repaired. Those may not be the original nails. I think it fell on that one damaged corner and needed to be reassembled. The indentations in the nails were caused by a nailset. I did picture framing for awhile and I used that tool to "set" the nail flush with the wood so the end didn't stick out. If the nail was a bit on the soft side it left the indentation you see. It can't be used an indicator of age.

    The wood itself has me a little baffled. It must have been made to be reversible. First time I've come across this that I can remember. I think I see the remains of gold paint on the sides, so some of all of it may have been gilded at one point. What I don't see is holes for a hanging wire. Given the style I can only assume it was on the top. From the style I'd date it at 1930's - 1940's give or take. Both front and back styles were pretty common. Hope this helps.
    Don
     
    Connie Osborne likes this.
  3. verybrad

    verybrad Well-Known Member

    I think Don's answer is spot on but think it could be as late as the 50s. I have seen these double sided picture/mirrors before but they are not too common. Given the suspected age of this, I doubt this is a mercury mirror. They were pretty much out of use by the 30s. Here is some information on mercury amalgam mirrors.

    http://www.conservation-wiki.com/wiki/Tin-Mercury_Amalgam_Mirrors
     
    Connie Osborne and dgbjwc like this.
  4. All the nails are the same those are not the same corner, and yes, I do think it it true mercury glass from the magnification of it. It looks like grains of grey silvery sand, but smoother and they sparkle.
    I'll have to look closer at the wood, but I have not noticed any bits of gold. Dirt and other maybe, but holding it, it's wood with a stain maybe. Yes, the frame was made to be reversible, hence the mirror on one side and the print on the other.
    OH NO...after reading your wiki about this...I might not should be handling this....
    Thank you both for the information!!
     
  5. @dgbjwc, I have never EVEN though about that (where it was hanging from) I will have to go back and check all around for that. I just assumed that it was used on a stand like I photographed it, because of the size. I envisioned it on a dresser or table top.
     
  6. dgbjwc

    dgbjwc Well-Known Member

    Interesting. Now that mention it maybe it was a tray?
    Don
     
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