Rare Victorian Forum

Hi All,

Since I was doing some cleaning out over the weekend and happily "re-discovered" an Egyptian Revival mirror I had stashed away in an antique wardrobe a decade or longer ago, thought I would take a couple of photos to share. The only identifying marks are in the lower left hand corner of the front where there is a "v..i..i" or something about like that. Given that the mirror is beveled doubtful it would date before 1880 and it could even be as late as 1890's. It is very heavy and the applied figural ornament appears to be cast iron with applied gilded paint. (someone also dabbed on a bit of red in a couple of places long ago) The support rod on the back also seems "Egyptian" and somewhat symbolic as well. It was bought at auction for about $40 a decade ago. It is also the only Egyptian Revival piece I have. I wonder if it would work in a Moorish style room?

I never even considered that possibility. I know the Victorians had a whimsical sense of humor so it would not surprise me in the least to learn the symbols had some covert meaning. Greek and Latin were almost mandatory at all institutions of higher learning during the 1800's compared to today when many of our college age youth cannot even read, write, or spell English intelligently. Please let me know if you decipher any meaning from the glyphs. I can post a larger version of the symbols if that would be of any help.

John

Ok, hope this will work. Please let me know if this actually makes any sense. Thanks, John