Reflecting on the Homestead’s Many Mirrors.

In colonial America, mirrors were not used just as looking glasses, but as sources of lighting.  Whether from windows or fireplaces, mirror picked up and magnified light.

We do not know how many mirrors were in the Homestead initially, but today there are ten.  Like most mirrors in early America, those in the Homestead are from England or Northern Europe.  They vary in height from a 41-5/8” to 15-1/2.”

Almost all date back to the 18^th century and are in keeping with what a visitor to a home such as Deacon Mather’s would have found in post-Revolutionary America.  Many of the mirrors were acquired by Bertha Mather McPherson as she and her husband made the Homestead worthy of recognition as a National Historic Landmark.

Here is a glimpse of the Homestead’s mirror collection…

“Pier” Glass.  England 1740-1770, Walnut 41-5/8h x 15-3/4”w

Courting Mirror, Northern Europe 1775-1825, Walnut/Pine 17-1/2”h x 12-1/4”w

Looking Glass, Northern Europe 1825-1875, Pine 19-3/4”h x 9-7/8”w

Looking Glass Northern Europe 1760-1800, Walnut/Pine 28”h x 14-5/8”w 

   Looking Glass, Northern Europe 20^th C., Walnut/pine 31”h x 13-1/4”w

Looking Glass prob. England 1750-1780 , Walnut/pine 15-1/2”h 9-1/2”w        

Looking Glass Eng.or N.Europe 1760-1800, Walnut/pine 23-1/2”h x 12”w

Looking Glass prob. England 1750-1780,   Walnut/pine 15-1/2”h 9-1/2”w

Looking Glass, Northern Europe 20^th C., Walnut/pine 31”h x 13-1/4”w 

Chippendale Looking Glass, England 1800-1825, Mahogany 25-1/2”h x 11-1/2”w  

On your next visit to the Homestead, see if you can find all ten.  Then, of all the mirrors on the walls, decide for yourself if one is the fairest of them all.