Antique Victorian late 19th century French arts and crafts copper Easel Mirror
Antique Victorian late 19th century French arts and crafts copper Easel Mirror with Ornate Crest
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This beautiful antique- arts and crafts table mirror features an ornate embossed brass frame with a decorative floral crest to the top. Typically art nouveau The frame is richly detailed with repeating classical motifs, giving it a distinctly French Louis XVI / Art Nouveau inspired aesthetic, typical of decorative dressing table mirrors from the late 19th to early 20th century.
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The mirror is designed to stand on a dressing table or mantelpiece, supported by a folding wooden easel back, displayed hanging on a wall easel can easily be removed which allows it to be displayed securely. The aged copper frame has developed a warm patina over time, adding to its authentic antique character. The mirror glass itself shows signs of age with light spotting and foxing, interior designer dream would have taken years and years to achieve the look!!? Bevelled edge always a sign of quality which is entirely consistent with period pieces and adds to its charm.
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The ornate cast crest at the top with floral and bud motifs gives the piece an elegant, almost theatrical presence, making it ideal for use as a vanity mirror, decorative accent, or antique display piece.
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There is a small historic wear visible to one corner of the frame (shown in photographs), but this does not detract from the display quality or functionality of the mirror.
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Approximate Period
Early 20th Century (circa 1900–1930)
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Features
Embossed copper arts and crafts decorative frame
Ornate floral crest top detail
Original mirror plate with age-related foxing
Folding wooden easel oak back
Beautiful aged patina
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Condition
Good antique condition with expected age-related wear. Some foxing to the mirror glass and a visible historic repair to one corner of the frame. Structurally sound and displays beautifully.
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Dimensions
26 cm wide
39 cm tall ( to crest)
2 cm depth
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Price
£95 recommended retail
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✨ Why we love it
Pieces like this instantly evoke the glamour of an old dressing table — perfume bottles, hair brushes and jewellery trays catching the light in a softly aged mirror. It’s a wonderfully decorative piece that adds character and history to any interior.
Objet D'Art Stuff research
The Arts and Crafts Movement (c. 1860–1910)
The Arts and Crafts Movement was a design and social movement that began in Britain in the mid-19th century and spread across Europe and North America. It developed as a reaction against the Industrial Revolution, which had flooded the market with cheaply made, mass-produced goods.
Artists and designers believed that objects should be beautiful, useful, and honestly made by skilled craftspeople rather than machines.
One of the leading figures behind the movement was William Morris, a designer, writer, and social reformer who championed the idea that everyday objects—from wallpaper to furniture—should be both artistic and well crafted.
The Philosophy Behind the Movement
The movement was built on several key ideas:
- Hand craftsmanship over mass production
- Objects should be made by skilled artisans rather than factories.
- Truth to materials
- Design should respect the natural beauty of materials such as wood, stone, copper, and textiles.
- Beauty in everyday life
- Even ordinary household items—chairs, lamps, bowls, boxes—should be designed with care and artistic integrity.
Medieval inspiration
Many designers admired the craftsmanship of the medieval guild system and looked to the Middle Ages for inspiration.
Key Designers and Makers
Several important figures shaped the Arts and Crafts style:
- William Morris – textile designer, writer, and founder of the influential firm Morris & Co.
- Charles Robert Ashbee – founder of the Guild of Handicraft, promoting handmade metalwork and jewellery
- Charles Voysey – architect and designer known for simple yet elegant houses and furniture
- Ernest Gimson – furniture designer emphasising traditional woodworking
In Scotland, Charles Rennie Mackintosh combined Arts and Crafts ideas with emerging modern design.
Recognising Arts and Crafts Antiques
Collectors often identify the style by several distinctive characteristics:
Simple, sturdy forms
Furniture is typically solid oak or walnut with straight lines and practical construction.
Visible craftsmanship
Joinery, hammer marks, and tool marks are often intentionally visible.
Natural decoration
Motifs include:
- Leaves
- Flowers
- Birds
- Trees
- Medieval-inspired patterns
Materials commonly used
Oak furniture
Hammered copper or brass
Hand-thrown pottery
Stained glass
Handwoven textiles
How It Differs from Art Nouveau
Although the two movements overlap in time, they look quite different.
Arts & Crafts Art Nouveau
Simple and solid Decorative and flowing
Inspired by medieval craft Inspired by nature and organic curves
Straight or slightly curved lines Whiplash curves and fluid shapes
Emphasis on craftsmanship Emphasis on artistic design
Why Collectors Love Arts and Crafts Pieces
For antique dealers and collectors, Arts and Crafts items are prized because they represent:
- Authentic craftsmanship
- Durability and practicality
- A philosophy of honest design
- Timeless simplicity
Common pieces you may encounter include:
- Oak mirror frames and wall shelves
- Hammered copper trays or bowls
- Handcrafted desk items and letter racks
- Tiles and pottery
- Candlesticks and small metalwork
✨ A quick antique-dealer tip:
If an item looks hand-made, sturdy, and slightly rustic with visible craftsmanship, it may well be Arts and Crafts (1880–1910) rather than Victorian decorative work.
