Description: Silver plated mirror with black painted wood. Abstract metalwork design.

History: The first mirrors used by people were most likely pools of dark, still water, or water collected in a primitive vessel of some sort. The earliest manufactured mirrors were pieces of polished stone such as obsidian, a naturally occurring volcanic glass. The invention of the silvered-glass mirror is credited to German chemist Justus von Liebig in 1835. His process involved the deposition of a thin layer of metallic silver onto glass through the chemical reduction of silver nitrate. This silvering process was adapted for mass manufacturing and led to the greater availability of affordable mirrors. In classical antiquity, mirrors were made of solid metal (bronze, later silver) and were too expensive for widespread use by common people; they were also prone to corrosion. Due to the low reflectivity of polished metal, these mirrors also gave a darker image than modern ones, making them unsuitable for indoor use with the artificial lighting of the time, (candles or lanterns).

Provenance: Helen & Dr. Roland Kohen, Miami, FL

Dimensions: Weight (Pounds & Ounces) = 0.5 | Height(in) = 10.5 | Width(in) = 4.5 | Depth(in) = 0.5

Size of Artwork(in): 10.5" x 4.5" x .5"

Artist Name: Unknown

Medium: Mirror, silver plate and wood

Circa: Early 20th century

This mirror is in good condition. with no scratches or dents.