Mirror, Wall

Object Name:

Mirror, Wall

Object ID:

1975.008.02

Creator:

Todd, James (1795-1884)Manufacturer

Place of Origin:

Portland, ME

Date:

circa 1820

Description:

Picture Mirror. Attributed to James Todd (1795-1884), Portland, ME; purchased by Phebe W. Wellman (1796-1885), Cornish, NH; c. 1820. Framed, with reverse painting on glass. Wooden frame covered with plaster then painted gold. Frame has concave posts with fine rope twined strip in center. Top is molded, and has fourteen pendant balls held in by wire. Painting is captioned "Enterprize & Boxer". Image is of the Naval engagement of the U.S.S. Enterprise vs. the H.M.S. Boxer off Portland, Maine, September 5, 1813. There is smoke, an American flag on one ship, green-blue ocean, and blue sky. Bordered by thin black line, gold band, and finally a dark green or black border. Mirror glass and picture are both held in with glue blocks. Backing is a single pine plank with beveled edges. Written on top of mirror back "$8.00" in pencil and illegible ink marks.

Material:

Glass
Wood
Fiber

Dimensions:

H-30.375 W-18.5 D-3.625 inches

Provenance:

Identified in Catharine H. Wellman's Last Will and Testament as the mirror her mother, Phebe W. Wyman (1796-1885), bought in 1819, and bequeathed to her niece Clara E. Wellman. Part of a donated collection of objects that belonged to Clara Emily Wellman (Mrs. Leslie B.) Farr of Cornish, NH, who lived in retirement at the Eagle Hotel in Concord, NH. Donated by her niece.

Credit Line:

Gift of Harriet V. Wellman

People:

Wellman, Phebe W. (1796-1885), Wellman, Catharine H. (1827-1893), Farr, Clara W. (1881-1975), Wellman, Harriet V. (1900-1987), Todd, James (1795-1884)

Subjects:

Ships, Sailing ships, Mirrors