These little mirrors (often referred to as country Sheraton, or “cottage” mirrors) usually have charming, naïve reverse glass paintings. Unfortunately, they are often in poor condition. Restoration of reverse glass painting is problematical at best, and conservation or restoration is usually not a cost effective solution for these. If the damage is very objectionable, I suggest making a replica and putting the original glass in storage. If there are just a few areas of objectionable flaking, a color matched piece can be placed as a backing panel to make the missing areas less noticeable, without touching the original.
I purchased these two in order to have the original glass (albeit with some paint losses and deterioration) from one of them as a pattern for my portfolio of glass designs. The other one was replaced, with a totally inappropriate rendition (apparently inspired by watching cartoons). Nice for a change to see that this is the one with the broken glass – usually it is the good panel that is shattered.
I keep a stock of old glass on hand, in order to replicate a deteriorated panel, or to create an appropriate painting if the original one is no longer there.
These are great fun to paint, and in these blog entries I will show the progress of this project.
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