Wooden Table Mirror

(No. 9747)

Project Duration: 24 Hours

Date: Late 19th c. 

Dimensions: L: 410mm W: 330mm D: 140mm

Materials: Wood, glass, brass, veneer,

Object Description: 

This object is a known as both a dressing and toilet swing mirror, made in a shield-like shape. This design was popular between the 19th and 20th centuries. These mirrors ranged in value, with some being composed of finer materials such as ivory and mahogany. Based on the design, material, and detailing, this mirror matches that of an early 20th Century Georgian style, made with mahogany. Additionally, this object has a cheval base, which was originated in Paris in the 1800’s translating to ‘four feet’. 

Condition:

The mirror was broken into 22 fragments and consisted of two legs, one connecting beam, one wood mirror backing, a two part decorative frame, and a zinc silvered mirror. The base of the proper left leg had broken and needed to be re-adhered. The rear side of this leg had experienced fading due to extended exposure to UV light. All other components were not faded to the same degree, insinuating this mirror was placed with the proper left leg receiving the most exposure to a window. A small craquelure pattern had developed on the legs and connecting beam, likely due to the age and deterioration of the applied varnish. 

The rear backing of the mirror was broken into three pieces and was missing the rounded edge of the bottom of the sheet. Both the interior and exterior of the mirror backing were lightly abraded, with various locations of discolouration to the wood. Remnants of nail holes were present along the perimeter of the backing, though no nails were found. 

The frame of the mirror had become warped and was physically wider than it initially was when first constructed. Structurally, the frame had broken into three pieces that followed the contour of the shield-shaped mirror, directly affecting the object’s functional and sensory value as an upright mirror. The front of the frame had two types of veneer, with three pieces that had broken off. One main loss was present along the upper curvature on the proper-right side. Small portions of decorative veneer were also missing in two locations. The frame was initially connected to the mirror backing with the nails. While these losses do not impact the functional value, they do detract from the sensory value of the object. 

On the interior of the frame, approximately 9 wooden shims were missing, with two original shims remaining. The shims acted as necessary support for keeping the mirror in place when constructed. A single threaded plate for the screw which was responsible for holding the mirror in an upright swinging position was also missing. This hindered the item from being reconstructed in its entirety and fulfilling its functional value. 

 
 

Cleaning:

  1. All surfaces were cleaned with deionised water and 50/50 ethanol and deionised water using cotton swabs.

Reconstruction & Repair:

  1. The broken leg was reattached with Kremer fish glue (gelatine based adhesive derived from fish bones) using a synthetic brush.

  2. Both the legs and the connecting beam were then reattached together with Kremer fish glue to form a stable structural base for the mirror.

  3. All detached veneer and shims were re- adhered into their original locations with Kremer fish glue using a brush.

  4. One section of wood near the hole for the screw had broken and flared out from the leg.

  5. The small section of wood was re- adhered into its correct configuration using Kremer fish glue the joins were held together with four clamps for 24 hours during the curing process.

Replacement of missing hardware:

  1. A replacement threaded plate was made from brass using the dimensions of the single original plate that was present.

  2. The piece of brass was cut to the correct dimensions with three holes the matched the original hardware drilled accordingly to accommodate the original screw. Two new nails (20 mm zinc plated masonry nails) were sourced and adjusted via filing to best match the nails on the original threaded plate.

  3. The nail holes from where the original nails were filled with Kremer fish glue and allowed to dry for 24 hours. This was done so that the new nails could snuggly fit into the original nail holes. The replica threaded plate was attached to the mirror by lightly hammering the nails into the original nail hole locations.

Loss Compensation:

Replica shims were cut from a light coloured wood of similar thickness and hardness to the original shims. The replica pieces were then adhered within the according locations of where the original shims had been (evidence of previous adhesive made these locations apparent).

Three areas of veneer loss were replaced with veneer of a similar grain and thickness. The largest area of loss required a thicker veneer, thus five layers of the veneer were adhered together using Kremer fish glue and fully clamped while curing to ensure they created a flat sheet. The shape of the loss was transposed onto the veneer and cut using a coping saw. Once the correct shape was achieved, it was adhered to the location with Kremer fish glue.