Wiederer and Brother. <em>"Gem Bamboo Triplicate" Folding Mirror</em>, Patented April 19, 1887. Wood (probably maple), glass, metal, printed paper, Height: 13 in. (33 cm). Brooklyn Museum, H. Randolph Lever Fund, 85.12.2. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.85.12.2.jpg)

Wiederer and Brother. "Gem Bamboo Triplicate" Folding Mirror, Patented April 19, 1887. Wood (probably maple), glass, metal, printed paper, Height: 13 in. (33 cm). Brooklyn Museum, H. Randolph Lever Fund, 85.12.2. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.85.12.2.jpg)

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Download our app and ask your own questions during your visit. Here are some that others have asked.

Can you tell me about this mirror?

The "Gem Bamboo Triplicate" Folding Mirror, designed by Wiederer and Brother, utilizes an innovative design and a Japanese aesthetic. When this was made in the late 1880s, there was a massive interest in Asian art in the United States.

Where in the US was it made?

The designer's office was located in New York City. In 1886, the firm's manufacturing facilities were located on Staten Island.

Can you tell me about this?

This is in a style known as Aestheticism. It is highly decorative and draws inspiration from cultures that were considered "exotic" in the 19th century, such as Japan.

The motto of the Aesthetic Movement was "Art for Art's Sake", which expressed the idea that objects should be as beautiful and artistic as possible, and did not need to convey a moralistic message or even serve a utilitarian function.

Tell me something about this.

This folding mirror is considered innovative because of it's hinges. The design had actually existed for over ten years, having been patented first in France in 1876 then in England by 1881.The hinges were the only new addition that the designer made. Evidently, the mirror's Japanese motifs were popular enough before the hinges, though they did finally allow buyers to spread the mirror flat against their walls!

Tell me more.

These objects are terrific examples of American design from the Aesthetic Movement. At this time, designers were strongly influenced by the art and design of Japan. The slogan for the Aesthetic Movement was "Art for Art's Sake." This meant that people could surround themselves with beautiful things without the expectation that it had to be moralistic or educational (as much art was earlier in the 1800s).

Were these European-American artists formally trained by Japanese artists or did they just study the art they saw and replicate or incorporate it in their own way?

The latter! During this time, right after the travel restrictions were lifted at the close of the Civil War, American artists were found inspiration abroad, either through firsthand travel or encounters with Asian materials and objects through exhibitions, such as world's fairs, or numerous publications.

"Gem Bamboo Triplicate" Folding Mirror

Decorative Arts and Design

MAKER Wiederer and Brother

CULTURE American

MEDIUM Wood (probably maple), glass, metal, printed paper

Place Made: New York, New York, United States

DATES Patented April 19, 1887

DIMENSIONS Height: 13 in. (33 cm) Width (closed): 11 in. (27.9 cm) Width (open): 26 in. (66 cm) (show scale)

MARKINGS At top edge of rear is affixed metal label: "P:WIEDERER & BRO. / GEM BAMBOO TRIPLICATE / PATENTED APRIL 19,1887."

COLLECTIONS Decorative Arts and Design

ACCESSION NUMBER 85.12.2

CREDIT LINE H. Randolph Lever Fund

CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Three-panel folding mirror; wood (probably maple), glass, metal, printed paper. Mirror: wood frame turned to resemble bamboo (faux bamboo); vertical and horizontal members cross at four corners, glass, printed paper. Rectangular frame which encloses a panel (mounted in white metal) with a Japanese-inspired printed subject: a bamboo stalk crosses the panel from center bottom to upper right on the stalk is a bird wearing a shirt, trousers, and hat clutching a swallow by the tail; this is surrounded by various foliage, a butterfly, two other swallows, two flies and a beetle; gold, green, blue, yellow, and peach colors. At left edge of panel is a shaped clasp; at right edge, hinges; on lower edge of panel is a hinged metal foot to prop up panel. Panel edges open to reveal mirror on reverse. Inside frame is another panel (mounted in white metal) printed with a bamboo stalk going from lower center to upper left, snail and grasshopper at top, in front of a landscape with pool of water in which stand two herons; gold, green, blue, yellow, and peach colors. At right edge of panel is blue ribbon to lift panel; at left edge panel is hinged; at bottom edge is a hinged foot. Panel hinges open to reveal mirror on reverse and beveled mirror in central panel. Rear of mirror backed with black leatherette, framed with quarter-round wood. At top edge are two eye hooks and a chain for hanging. Made by the firm under the name "Gem Bamboo Triplicate." CONDITION: Bamboo turnings chipped and worn on edges. Front panel: Some scratches, wear, discoloration; flaking along left edge, especially near clasp. Inner panel: small area of flaking, left edge, near rocks, ribbon frayed. Central mirror may be a replacement.

EXHIBITIONS

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view

CAPTION Wiederer and Brother. "Gem Bamboo Triplicate" Folding Mirror, Patented April 19, 1887. Wood (probably maple), glass, metal, printed paper, Height: 13 in. (33 cm). Brooklyn Museum, H. Randolph Lever Fund, 85.12.2. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.85.12.2.jpg)

IMAGE overall, CUR.85.12.2.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2010

"CUR" at the beginning of an image file name means that the image was created by a curatorial staff member. These study images may be digital point-and-shoot photographs, when we don\'t yet have high-quality studio photography, or they may be scans of older negatives, slides, or photographic prints, providing historical documentation of the object.

RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

You may download and use Brooklyn Museum images of this three-dimensional work in accordance with a Creative Commons license. Fair use, as understood under the United States Copyright Act, may also apply. Please include caption information from this page and credit the Brooklyn Museum. If you need a high resolution file, please fill out our online application form (charges apply). For further information about copyright, we recommend resources at the United States Library of Congress, Cornell University, Copyright and Cultural Institutions: Guidelines for U.S. Libraries, Archives, and Museums, and Copyright Watch. For more information about the Museum's rights project, including how rights types are assigned, please see our blog posts on copyright. If you have any information regarding this work and rights to it, please contact copyright@brooklynmuseum.org.

RECORD COMPLETENESS

Not every record you will find here is complete. More information is available for some works than for others, and some entries have been updated more recently. Records are frequently reviewed and revised, and we welcome any additional information you might have.

Download our app and ask your own questions during your visit. Here are some that others have asked.

Can you tell me about this mirror?

Where in the US was it made?

The designer's office was located in New York City. In 1886, the firm's manufacturing facilities were located on Staten Island.

Can you tell me about this?

This is in a style known as Aestheticism. It is highly decorative and draws inspiration from cultures that were considered "exotic" in the 19th century, such as Japan.

Tell me something about this.

Tell me more.

Were these European-American artists formally trained by Japanese artists or did they just study the art they saw and replicate or incorporate it in their own way?

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Decorative Arts and Design

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