Crossing the Finish Line with Two More Projects

The overmantel mirror is now completed and installed, and the Salem mirror panel safe in Florida.

Once all the gesso repairs to the overmantel were done (as shown in Part I), coloring, gilding and toning began.

The bottom right section of "ebony" base was missing, so a new piece was made to fit.

Base replacement in progress

By securing a new backboard covering almost the entire back, I was able to pull the frame together, and the separations between the dividers and bottom rail are almost gone. This also allowed installation of an aluminum cleat system that will not only support the weight (and due to the plate glass mirror, this is heavy!), but will also keep it from shifting on the wall.

I helped the clients install this. A piece of plywood was mounted to the wall, since it was not a wall built with standard stud spacing, and had lathe/plaster that would have made it difficult to mount directly. The bottom sections of the interlocking cleat pairs were mounted on this board, then the mirror was dropped into place. Since this was a job requiring all hands on deck, no photos of this process.

In the end, all worked out well, the mirror seems secure (and if it ever falls, we'll blame it on the cat).

Installed (disregard the ghost in the mirror)

 

The Salem mirror project also reached completion. This required sending the finished glass panel to Florida, packed in a way that kept it secure, but with no pressure or material in contact with the painted surface on the back of the glass (concern about abrasion and humidity led to this decision). The customer was able to install the glass successfully, and kindly sent me a picture of the completed mirror.

 

As hanging now in client's home