Dating Unsigned Painted Framed Mirror and Oil Painting on Panel

So, my mom and I just got these two paintings and would really appreciate some help dating them. The one that I got is an oil painting of a woman and two children on panel and unfortunately, the panel is bowed inward. The frame looks modern, but I'm hoping the painting isn't. The other that she got is a painted framed mirror that depicts some farm animals. The mirror has been redone and has glue on it, and the hanger is also new.

 

I'll be uploading photos soon.

 

Here's the painted frame on the mirror.

 

Here's the back of the framed mirror.

 

The painting is a reproduction of Thomas Benjamin Kennington's 'Mother Love.' Copies are readily available online from Walmart and other vendors. The original is in a private collection.

https://www.paintinghere.com/buy/th...on_a_mother's_love_framed_painting_16078.html

Debora

 

Hard to see what you have with mirror but I suspect from quality of painting as well as the construction and finishing of back it's a recent decorative piece from China. Let's see what others say.

Debora

 

the hardware on the back of the mirror looks reasonably new to my eye........

 

Well, darn. At least it's still pretty, and thank you, as well.

 

It is new, but there's a set of holes above it where it appears there used to be a different set of hardware. I'll have to add some close ups of the back when I get the chance.

 

Just a hint... Staples in a painting's frame are usually a red flag that it's not what it purports to be.

Debora

 

ct0116, is the frame assembled with staples, gun nails or standard finish nails? You may also try scraping a bit of the black paint off the back of the mirror's frame to examine the wood underneath. If it's heart pine or douglas-fir and the frame is assembled with finish nails (not from a nail gun), good chance the frame is older. I suspect the frame is fairly new too but can't say for sure from my computer.

 

I looked all over the back, and I haven't been able to find any type of nail or staples. There are a few areas where what looks like glue can be seen in the cracks. I'll have to try to scrape off a bit of the paint on the back sometime. I did find some spots on the corners where paint has already come off, but I'm not sure if they're of any use in identifying the wood.

 

I had no idea about that. I'll have to be more wary of them from now on. Thank you nonetheless.

 

Here's some close ups of the mirror's back, a full front view, and one of the damaged corners.

 

I do think that's Asian. Curious to know if others agree.

Debora

 

Don't worry about scraping any paint off given the corner.

The wood appears to be a softwood. Almost reminds me of douglas fir given the grain pattern, however doug fir is usually more of a golden color. Does the wood "give" easily if you press it lightly with the tip of a fingernail? Does it feel heavy and dense or light? Could be a lighter colored Asian softwood species given that the paint has been missing from that corner for a while and oxidation typically darkens wood. Could also just be rough cut white pine (not heart wood). Also, it looks like there are at least a couple layers of paint. You could try a home lead test to see if the base layer is lead white.

It's a good sign that you aren't seeing any staples. Fair chance this is from the first half of the 20th century, however I doubt it's ancient. The wood construction appears tight and square. The hardware is most certainly newish and the mirror itself appears to have been replaced. I doubt antique mirrors would be affixed with caulk/glue.

P.S. What species of bird and rabbit are those? Knowing that may help pinpoint the location of the manufacturer.

Anyway, I hope this helps!