Looking Glass
ca.1730
Caption
Looking Glass, ca.1730. Mahogany veneer, gesso and gilt, 48 1/2 × 25 × 4 1/2 in. (123.2 × 63.5 × 11.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. George Richard, 69.159.3.
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Title
Looking Glass
Date
ca.1730
Medium
Mahogany veneer, gesso and gilt
Classification
Dimensions
48 1/2 × 25 × 4 1/2 in. (123.2 × 63.5 × 11.4 cm)
Signatures
no signature
Inscriptions
no inscriptions
Markings
no marks
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. George Richard
Accession Number
69.159.3
Frequent Art Questions
When was the first mirror invented and what was it made out of?
This comes from the National Center for Biotechnology Information from the US National Library: "The earliest known manufactured mirrors (approximately 8000 years old) have been found in Anatolia (south central modern-day Turkey). These were made from obsidian (volcanic glass), had a convex surface and remarkably good optical quality. Mirrors from more recent periods have been found both in Egypt and Mesopotamia and still later in China and in the New World. In each of these areas, mirrors were in use by approximately 2000 BC or 4000 years ago."Why are these frames and mirrors in your collection?
The mirrors (excluding the black mirror) are part of our Decorative Arts collection. They're in our collection because they are part of material culture, and can help us understand the way in which people lived in the past, styles and approaches to making throughout time. Many are emblematic of specific times and specific concerns. You might notice higher on the wall there is a convex mirror, it was made that way to reflect and maximize how much light a candle could give off.Thanks yes I see
Have information?
Have information about an artwork? Contact us at