This is the most fabulous Arts and Crafts wall mirror. It dates to around 1895 / 1900.
It is certainly a find example and was retailed in LIBERTY, London. It has the original wee Liberty label on the reverse, as photographed.
It is a nice large size and in such fine antique condition.
The mirror is made of copper but has an antique patina which makes it look like it is made of bronze. It is beautifully made, as you might expect to find in hand-made Arts and Crafts items sold in Liberty. These items are always highly sought after. I have not polished the metal on the mirror - as I like it with the darker patina - but it could easily be polished up it you would like it more gleaming and a more red copper colour.
This lovely mirror can be hung either in landscape or portrait format. The mirror frame is embellished with four raised and beaten-out Celtic inspired roundels. There are two different patterns on the roundels - the patterns on the opposing decorations are matching ones. The roundels are very sculptural and are very much like the ones that you might find on metalware designed by Archibald Knox.
Although it is not signed by Knox, it is worth noting that he started working with Liberty in the 1890s - and soon became their chief design. He was instrumental in creating a lot of designs for mirror that Liberty sold at this time. The mirror's understated elegance of form is certainly typical of Knox's pared-down Arts and Crafts metalwares. A similar mirror sold in Bonhams in Edinburgh where it was catalogued for their auction as being Attributed to Archibald Knox.
I love all the decorative rivet heads seen all around the edge of the mirror, as photographed.
There is no denting to the mirror frame - and no scratches or any other damage. The oval mirror is original to the frame - and it is also in good condition. It has not silvered or spotted (there are two tiny black speckles to the right hand side - but so tiny.. and nothing to disfigure the glass - it is after all nearly 125 years old!).
The back, as mentioned, has the original Liberty label - and the thin brown backing paper is also original. The paper is very delicate, and I cant believe that it has survived - when you find other examples of this mirror - the backing has often been removed and replaced. So this is special.
Dimensions: the overall width of the metal border is 25 inches. The height of the frame is 20 1/2 inches. The mirror is 19 3/4 inches wide and 15 1/2 inches in height. The depth of the metal trim is an inch.
The mirror is clean and has a very attractive bronze patina to it. It is ready to hang straight on your wall. It is a substantial piece and has a good bit of weight to it (about 5 kg unpacked).
It is certainly a most stunning example of this mirror - and you will be hard pushed to find one in better condition.
Due to the weight and delicacy of this piece of Arts and Crafts homeware - I would have to restrict postage to the UK. I will cap the postage at £24.95 - and it will be sent with Parcelforce24.