Sorrento Ware Campaign Mirror

An inlaid olive wood and walnut Portable Mirror from Sorrento, inlaid with various woods.

The design of two boards hinged to each over with one framing the mirror and the other acting as a protective cover and foot is typical of English campaign mirrors from the 19th century.
The cover board is inlaid with a couple dancing within an oval. The thick bevelled glass gives the mirror most of its weight. Unlike a typical English mirror of this design, there is no brass ring to allow you to also hang it for use.

The quality of the inlay work is good and this would have been both a practical and decorative purchase for a visitor to Sorrento. Mid to late 19th Century.

Folded size is given.

Sorrento Ware
In the 19th century, with more people travelling as tourists, cottage industries in a number of towns or areas grew to meet the desire for a souvenir of their trip. Tunbridge Ware, Killarney Ware and Black Forest Carving are all such examples. Sorrento Ware, produced in the town of the same name on the west coast of southern Italy, has its own distinctive look. The marquetry decorated items were first produced in the early 19th century and there are still workshops in the town today producing items for tourists to keep as mementos of their visit. The inlaid decoration varies from people in local costume dancing or working to birds and fauna. Most items made were of small size as they would naturally be easier to carry home but furniture was made as well. Included within this would be items specifically made for travel such as inkwells, folding mirrors and portable candlesticks, often following established designs used by British workshops.