This is a highly collectable marquetry mirror made by Rowley.
I have recently sold a later circular teak mirror by the company that dated to the 1960s.
This is a much earlier antique piece - probably dating to the late 1910s / or 1920s. It is a documented Rowley mirror as it has the Rowley paper label on the reverse. This label features an image of Pan and it was designed by William Chase (possibly also the marquety panel on the front). He was one of the major artists that the Rowley Gallery commissioned to design inlaid panels and furniture. he later worked for the celebrated artist, William Nicholson.
The little Pan label on the back of my mirror is a little rubbed with the mirror being hung and moved over the decades. But it is legible and still present.
There is also a couple of labels for the retailer at the prestigious Victorian Arcade in Southport, Merseyside. The whole premises in now known as the Wayfarers Shopping Arcade (shown below) and it is a listed building. The arcade remains a near untouched building with the glass dome and Victorian shop fronts below it.
In the past the arcade has housed brass band concerts on the bandstand, an aquarium and since the 1970s has featured a solid bronze statue of the famous local Grand National Winner, the racehorse, Red Rum.
Anyway, I digress! Let me get back to describing the actual mirror.
The mirror is typical of Rowley decorative mirrors. It takes the form of a tall oblong and the mirror and panel are set in a wooden frame made of oak. The mirror on my one is in good condition and original to the wall hanging. The marquetry panel about is interestingly titled "The Adventurer" on the label on the back - but it seems to be a generic name for the shape of the mirror rather then the subject.
The subject of the panel would of course also live up to the title as it features a yacht in full sail speeding along a river estuary. Another little sail of another boat can be seen the distance. All the colours of the marquetry are now honey-toned. The colours might have originally been more vibrant but they have lightened naturally over more than 100 years. But it is very nice example and listed at a fair price. The back of the mirror is covered in its original wood panelling - it is clean but with its age looks slightly time-toned.
These mirrors are now sought after by Rowley collectors and for hanging in period early 20th century interiors. They are certainly collectable items.
My mirror measures: The overall height of the complete frame is 19 1/2 inches. The width is just over 7 inches. The marquetry panel is 5 3/4 inches square and the mirror section is 11 3/4 inches x 5 3/4 inches.
I have taken lots of image for your inspection. I had to lie the mirror flat to take a few of these so that you could see that the mirror is clear and without spotting etc.
Rowley were originally celebrated producers of quality wooden goods such as decorative frames and wooden mirrors. The company started at the end of the 19th century as the Rowley Gallery at South Kensington. They undertook framing work for artists, as well as major galleries and museums. They later expanded to include making decorative marquetry panels, screens and mirrors.
UK Posting Only. We will very carefully pack to send to you. We will use Parcelforce24 and this will be just over £10 and applied to your order at the checkout.