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

When was the first mirror invented and what was it made out of?

This comes from the National Center for Biotechnology Information from the US National Library: "The earliest known manufactured mirrors (approximately 8000 years old) have been found in Anatolia (south central modern-day Turkey). These were made from obsidian (volcanic glass), had a convex surface and remarkably good optical quality. Mirrors from more recent periods have been found both in Egypt and Mesopotamia and still later in China and in the New World. In each of these areas, mirrors were in use by approximately 2000 BC or 4000 years ago."

Why are these frames and mirrors in your collection?

The mirrors (excluding the black mirror) are part of our Decorative Arts collection. They're in our collection because they are part of material culture, and can help us understand the way in which people lived in the past, styles and approaches to making throughout time. Many are emblematic of specific times and specific concerns. You might notice higher on the wall there is a convex mirror, it was made that way to reflect and maximize how much light a candle could give off.

Thanks yes I see

Looking Glass

Decorative Arts and Design

MEDIUM Mahogany veneer, gesso and gilt

DATES ca.1730

DIMENSIONS 48 1/2 × 25 × 4 1/2 in. (123.2 × 63.5 × 11.4 cm)

MARKINGS no marks

SIGNATURE no signature

INSCRIPTIONS no inscriptions

COLLECTIONS Decorative Arts and Design

ACCESSION NUMBER 69.159.3

CREDIT LINE Gift of Mr. and Mrs. George Richard

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view

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.

When was the first mirror invented and what was it made out of?

Why are these frames and mirrors in your collection?

Thanks yes I see