Object of the Day: An Eastlake Mirror

With a majestic crest and elegant finials this mirror graces the mantelpiece in my dining room. Two-tone wood and incised ornamentation are the hallmarks of Eastlake style. This piece is a perfect example of an Eastlake mirror from the articulated pilasters which support a cornice which extends over the mirror itself to the gently-turned finials.

Still retaining its gold leaf which perfectly contrasts the deep color of the maple, the design of the mirror reminds us of the love of nature and aesthetic design which predominated late Victorian furnishings. The mirror itself has lost some of it silvering—the battle-scars of a life well spent. These minor imperfections are what make antiques beautiful—a reminder of the permanence of human cleverness.