Antique Victorian Hand Mirror Hand Painted Porcelain Rosenthal or Limoges Ring Handle Vintage Vanity Boudoir.
This incredible antique hand mirror has a porcelain back set into an ornate repousse frame which was so popular during the latter part of the Victorian era of 1890-1900. Done in vivid shades, the round porcelain back is hand painted with a spray of purple irises and leaves against a yellow and purple background with stenciled floral effects. My camera did not capture the true exquisite colors used on this piece.
The sides and ring handle are made up of a metal alloy known as "German Silver." The name is a bit of a misnomer because German silver doesn't actually contain any silver at all. I have not attempted to polish the metal so you will see it is tarnished and oxidized. The ring handle is marked on each side with "G. silver." I love these old ring handled mirrors, that unique feature makes them easy to hang on the wall. The handmirror measures 7" long x 5.25" diameter.
You can't tell from the front of the porcelain, but from the research I have conducted over the years tells me that the porcelain set into German silver frames were manufactured and painted at both the Rosenthal factory in Germany and the Guerin and Tressemann & Vogt factories in Limoges, France. The porcelain back would need to be removed to find the manufacturer's marking. The beveled glass mirror itself is in not in very good shape, it has darkening, stains, fogginess and overall wear.
Someone must have treasured this vintage hand mirror and used it quite often as the wear is consistent with age and usage of an item well over one hundred years old, a true antique in every sense of the word. Overall a pretty display piece for your vanity or hang on the wall with other antique mirrors as part of a collection (I used to collect various antique hand mirrors and would display them on my wall in my bedroom).
These are not always easy to find today, so don't like this lovely one escape your attention. You can read more about these beauties at my blog: https://cleopatrasboudoir.blogspot.com/2014/03/antique-victorian-porcelain-backed.html