Silver frames for mirrors or photographs

The decorative silver frame, used mostly nowadays for photographs, appeared for mirrors after the Restoration, late seventeenth century oblong examples being heavily ornamented with naturalistic decoration between gadrooning or complex beading, and surmounted by a coat-of-arms in a complex setting. Such fine examples might be among gifts to the royal family or court. Other types of decorative frames were also popular in the eighteenth century, perhaps being made of wood or gesso which was gilded and carved. Nineteenth century silver examples became more numerous not only for mirrors but, in later years and into the Edwardian era, for photographs. Others were extremely rich and ornate, decorated according to the style of the day. A splendid example of this lavish decoration can be seen in the boudoir mirror made in 1862 by L. Morel Ladeuil, who, although trained on the Continent, worked for Elkingtons for many years. Ornament on this gilt mirror includes cherubs holding drapery, and branches entwined with butterflies and flowers. A flamboyant peacock surmounts the top. Although the framework was of gilt decorated with jewels, this elaborate attitude tended to influence silver decoration of the period as well.

Antique Collector MagazineIn the 1870s a mirror by Wilms, who also worked for Elkingtons, maintained this taste for opulence. One of his oval mirror frames at this time consisted of silver inlaid with gold, the outer frame being of silver decorated with repoussé arabesque and the inner one of steel, bronzed to a deep shade and damascened in silver and gold. Running concurrently with such embellishment were those frames influenced by, among other styles, the classical revival and naturalistic forms, still a favourite for certain types of objects. Late Victorian and Edwardian silver frames varied in size considerably. Watch out for the general condition of these because some have become badly dented over the years, and this does not always reveal itself at a quick glance in examples which are covered with over-all embossing and chasing. Attractive are the frames which were decoratively-shaped or showing the influence of the Art Nouveau movement.

Scent flasks and bottles

Containers for scent would also be incorporated in toilet sets for the fairer sex, and such separated examples exist. Most of those seen today, however, would be nineteenth century, or perhaps late eighteenth century. Nineteenth century silver flasks for perfume can be most decorative but also most expensive. Many of these are very ornate, perhaps with surface engraving in scroll and foliate or floral patterns, heart-shaped or in other decorative forms. They might have a small silver chain fitted to them so that they could be hung by this to a chatelaine. Delightful bottles in plain or coloured glass with plain or decorated silver mounts were made in vast quantities during the nineteenth century and were very attractive, their diversity of shape adding to their interest. Small examples were made for the handbag, and larger ones for the dressing-table. Certain specimens, which look like perfume bottles, incorporate a pierced grille in the lid and may be described as a vinaigrette, scent bottle or smelling bottle. Some silver flasks have a small section at the side which opens for the containment of pills or anything similar.

Shaving basins and accessories

The shaving dish in sterling silver was shaped like its ceramic counterpart, ie it was circular with a large ‘bite’ out of it to fit around the neck. These were generally undecorated and even those intended for royal stubble usually had only the royal arms and cipher. Silver shaving brushes were also used, and the shaving equipment would be completed by a spherical silver box with hinged lid for the soap. Spherical soap boxes were also made in Sheffield plate from approximately 1770. In either metal they stood upon a circular foot with a stem, the cover of the box — hinged across the centre — either plain or perforated so that the perfume from the soap might pervade the room. Soap boxes intended primarily for shaving kits were generally left unperforated. Measurements were approximately five inches high by about three-and-a-half inches in diameter. Both silver and Sheffield plate examples were similarly decorated, the deep lid being attractively pierced and the mounts of the rim and foot chased with naturalistic motifs including roses, acorns, thistles and so on. The spherical soap box gradually became unfashionable and there was little demand for it after about the 1820s.

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