Old ugly mirror

[Nola504]

This was my grandma's. Everyone in the family always called it the old ugly mirror.  I looked it over and can't find any manufacturer marking. It's metal but not sure which. I tried to unscrew the metal backing but it was hard to get the last screw undone so I left it alone. It had really worn paper sheets for padding inside. The glass has a few spots that don't seem to wash off. The face has a crown of grapes, kind of reminds me of pictures of Bacchus. Anyway,  does anyone have any idea what time period or origin of this thing?  Thanks in advance.

[mart]

How big is the frame ?? Is that a stand I see on the back ?? Like for a picture frame ??  Is it pretty heavy ??  Looks like a Victorian bronze frame from the 1800`s !! These are hard to date because they didn`t necessarily follow any particular style !! Please just leave it as it is !! Don`t do anything to it !! Can you take a pic of the screws holding the back on,,??

[KC]

Agree with Mart.

Looks like "Father Time" to me!

[talesofthesevenseas]

Oooh! Definitely NOT ugly! Love it!

[talesofthesevenseas]

Looks Victorian to me also, I would estimate late 1800s too.

[Nola504]

This is with the flash on

[Nola504]

It's heavy for its size. I think its about 18" tall

[frogpatch]

It looks like Bacchus to me too. Very interesting piece.

[mart]

http://www.ebay.com/sch/sis.html?_nkw=cir%201886%20Victorian%20Bronze%20Bacchus%20beveled%20mirror%20great%20condition%20Amazing%20quality&_itemId=351016836802

Here are a few similar on ebay !! Harp galleries sold one for $295. Not bad for what you call an ugly old mirror !! LOL !!

[Nola504]

This thing is very ornate, made well, and old. I think it's cool that some are selling for that much but II'm really not interested in the value. It's not worth enough money for me to not keep it just for the story alone. And really, that's what looking for, the stort. If you could see the huge smile, and the crown of grapes, then you would think of Bacchus automatically.  But who would make a table mirror out of bronze with a Bacchus head on top? And if it's not Bacchus who is that on top? It's older than the mardi gras kreme so it wasn't made for one of them. What's the story on this piece? Anyway, if any one knows anything about it please share

[mart]

Remember we are talking about Victorian times !! Everything was over done and ornate simply because it was the style of the time !! Bacchus was the lord of the grapes and grapes and grapevines were a popular theme even years after the Victorian era !! And in following the style,,thats what they bought !! Same as women do today !! So your family simply bought it because they were keeping up with the style of the day !! Not necessarily because there was any meaning to it,, they just liked it !!

[frogpatch]

So you have grandparents or great grandparents from Europe?Especially France or Italy?

[Nola504]

My grandma would have bought this when she lived Iin LosaAngeles. I know about Bacchus because of being from New Orleans. I'm  sure my family is originally from Europe but they didn'tbring this mmirror with them

[Nola504]

I found it! It is Bacchus. It's made by Bradley and Hubert. I found the BH stamp in a weird place on the back and then being almost positive that it was Bacchus I Googled it and there it was. I kinda feel like Indiana Jones. So, now should I clean it? They had some for sale that had been polished and some like mine. I know that I've purposely left some of my silver pieces tarnished because I think they look cool. What do you guys think?

[mart]

Do not clean it !! Bronze ages to a beautiful patina and that is how it should be left !! Just clean with damp cloth and dry well !! You can use a damp paint brush for the crevices if needed !!