Mirror

Object Name:

Mirror

Object ID:

1957.008.082

Place of Origin:

Boston, MA (probably)

Date:

circa 1830

Description:

Dressing Mirror, over one-drawer cabinet.
Cabinet: Mahogany veneer with string inlay along the edge of the drawer opening. Corners are mitred. Rear of cabinet has red wash, and a number that appears to be "31" in black marker. It has 4 feet which are ring and ball turnings. Two labels on the bottom - handwritten says: "Emery Bequest" and the other "Estate of Mary C. Emery." Drawer is dovetail construction, with groove for bottom; nails added to bottom. Red marks on the back exterior of the drawer seem to be 4 slashes. Drawer has 2 small brass pulls. Red marks on interior of drawer, undecipherable.
Mirror: Two wooden posts are inserted (dovetailed) through top of cabinet, which support the mirror. The posts angle rearward; fronts have beaded edges. Mirror is attached to posts with screws and wing nuts; wing nuts are brass and painted black. The mirror is set horizontally. Frame has a flat front, one line of string inlay, and has mitred corners. Mirror has a cardboard (artist board) backing that is also labeled "Emery Bequest".

Material:

Wood
Mahogany
Glass

Dimensions:

H-16.125 W-14.25 D-6.25 inches

Provenance:

From the collection of Mary C. Emery of Amesbury, MA, and Fred P. Emery of Pembroke, NH. This bequest of over 200 items from the Emery home includes both items that were inherited and items that were collected. It is unclear how they acquired this particular dressing mirror, though it has a notation of "shaving stand" inside the drawer, and was probably used by Fred Emery in their home.

Credit Line:

The Fred Parker Emery and Mary C. Emery Gift

People:

Emery, Fred Parker (1865-1927), Emery, Mary C. (1864-1956)