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"Skyscraper" Hand Mirror, Apollo Studios Line

Decorative Arts and Design

MEDIUM Silver-plated metal, glass, gilding, enamel
  • Place Manufactured: New York, New York, United States
  • DATES ca. 1928
    DIMENSIONS 15 x 5 in. (38.1 x 12.7 cm)  (show scale)
    MARKINGS On the right edge of the handle is: "REG.U.S.PAT.OFF." [rampant lion] SKY / SCRAPER" On the left side of handle is: "APOLLO STUDIOS / NEW YORK / E.P.N.S. / PAT. D76047"
    SIGNATURE no signature
    INSCRIPTIONS no inscriptions
    ACCESSION NUMBER 87.176.2
    CREDIT LINE Modernism Benefit Fund
    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION "Skyscraper" hand mirror, silver-plated base metal with parcel gilt and black enameled areas; en suite with brush (87.176.1) and dressing tray (87.179). The handle of the mirror is an elongated triangle that tapers toward the neck. The base of the mirror handle flares out. The handle is divided into a geometric composition, which is devised with deeply incised lines that are enhanced with gilding and black enamel. At the neck of the handle are two inverted triangles embellished with gilding. At base of handle is a black enameled triangle. The reverse side of handle follows the same composition. Soldered to the back of the mirror is a sheet of silver-plated base metal, which is divided into eight geometric panels--the divided areas are separated by incised lines. Central in the composition is a gilt triangular form. The triangle intercepts a silver trapezoid division (center). Flanking either side of the rectangle are elongated triangles that are inverted and are silver-plated. The triangular divisions are stepped lower than the center division--which is the highest point in the composition. Framing either side of the triangles are irregular triangular divisions, in silver plate. The farthest projections are right triangles, which are gilt. The mirror glass is oval-shaped and is framed with a silver-plated metal tubular strip. The mirror is beveled glass, which is shaped in an irregular octagonal form, with canted edges. CONDITION: Very good; some gilt areas worn around the handle due to normal wear on greatest areas of contact.
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
    CAPTION Louis W. Rice (American, 1872–1933). "Skyscraper" Hand Mirror, Apollo Studios Line, ca. 1928. Silver-plated metal, glass, gilding, enamel, 15 x 5 in. (38.1 x 12.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Modernism Benefit Fund, 87.176.2. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , 87.176.1_87.176.2_SL3.jpg)
    IMAGE 87.176.1_87.176.2_SL3.jpg.
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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