Campaign Dressing Mirror

A Georgian mahogany Campaign Dressing Mirror with protective cover board.

As can be seen, the mirror can be angled to suit the user simply by tipping it back or forwards. This is done on the thumb bolts to either side that pivot and fix it to the frame.

To dismantle the mirror for travel, the cover board is fitted over the looking glass to protect it. The front of the frame has a groove with the chamfered cover board edges sliding into it like a tongue and groove joint. When the mirror is set up for use, the cover board can be held to the back of the frame in the same manner. Not all examples of this form of mirror consider the storage of the board during use and this is a good sign of the maker's attention to detail.

Undoing the thumb bolts that link the mirror frame to the stand allow it to be removed. The frame can then be dismantled by undoing the bolts that fix the cross bar to the two upright sections. The stretcher and uprights also have tenon and mortice joints with the bolt passing through the mortice of the upright to fix into the tenon of the cross bar. This gives a stronger joint and allows the cross bar to be held in place whilst the bolt is fitted.

This mirror is well made with a moulded front edge to the mirror frame, good turnings to the uprights and cross bar and a fine finial to each side. The left finial has been damaged at some time at its widest point but has been repaired. This can be seen in the final photo. The mirror has inset brass plates where each bolt is fixed and is strong when set up.

Whether the user needs this mirror to dismantle or not for travel, when set up it is a good size and is as useful as a domestic mirror. Early 19th Century.