Late Victorian Repoussé Sterling Silver 3-Piece Drapery and Floral Vanity Set
Vanity Set (Hand Mirror, Hair Brush, and Dressing Comb) · Likely American silversmith such as Gorham, Unger Bros, or Foster & Bailey (further confirmation requires hallmark magnification). These firms dominated the high-end vanity market in the late 19th century.
Pattern: Unidentified generic Floral & Scroll Repoussé pattern; similar to 'He Loves Me' or 'Rococo' styles common in 1890-1910 catalogs.
Type
Vanity Set (Hand Mirror, Hair Brush, and Dressing Comb)
Maker
Likely American silversmith such as Gorham, Unger Bros, or Foster & Bailey (further confirmation requires hallmark magnification). These firms dominated the high-end vanity market in the late 19th century.
Material
Sterling Silver (.925) casings over weighted/composition cores; the comb features a tortoise-shell colored celluloid or plastic insert with a silver spine.
Dimensions
Mirror approx. 9-11 inches; Brush approx. 7-9 inches; Comb approx. 7 inches. Silver weight is nominal as handles are hollow-ware or reinforced.
Description
An elegant three-piece lady's dresser set designed to grace a mahogany vanity. The set exudes the Gilded Age's obsession with luxury in everyday objects, featuring deep chasing and romantic floral borders.
Key Features
Deep repoussé relief; blank cartouches (uncommon, as most were monogrammed); matching three-piece consistency; beveled mirror edge.
Material & Composition
Sterling Silver (.925) casings over weighted/composition cores; the comb features a tortoise-shell colored celluloid or plastic insert with a silver spine.
Finish & Decoration
High-relief repoussé work featuring floral bouquets, C-scrolls, and blank central cartouches for monograms; characteristic of the Late Victorian and Art Nouveau transition.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Usually found on the handle necks or sides; likely marked 'STERLING' with a manufacturer's pictorial mark (e.g., Gorham's lion/anchor/G or Unger's interlocking U/B).
Construction Details
Die-struck thin sterling sheets assembled over a plaster or resin core to provide heft and durability; mirror glass is beveled and held by a tension-fit silver rim.
Functional Features
Functional beveled glass; replaceable natural or nylon bristles (missing/embedded in image); protective silver spine on the comb.
Handle & Grip Details
Tapered ergonomically shaped handles with continuous repoussé decoration; integrated into the body of the mirror and brush frames.
Craftsmanship Details
High-quality industrial craftsmanship; the precision of the die-striking allows for intricate detail that mimics expensive hand-chasing.
Authentication Indicators
The presence of seam lines consistent with die-striking and the specific pattern of natural wear on high points of the silver decoration.
Origin & Manufacturing
United States (likely Providence, RI or Newark, NJ), centers of American silver production during the turn of the century.
Era & Period
Late Victorian/Early Edwardian (circa 1890-1910); evidenced by the dense floral ornamentation and lack of Art Deco geometric motifs.
Age Estimate
Circa 1900. Dating is based on the aesthetic transition from heavy Victorian scrolls to lighter Edwardian floral motifs.
Cultural Significance
Represents the 'Cult of Domesticity' where a lady's dressing table was a curated display of her family's wealth and her personal refinement.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good. Visible heavy tarnish (silver sulfide); small 'pings' or dents often found in soft hollow-ware; comb teeth appear intact; needs professional cleaning.
Value Estimate
$150 - $350 USD depending on the specific maker and condition of the bristles/mirror silvering.
Care & Maintenance
Hand polish with a high-quality cream like Wright's. Avoid complete immersion in water to prevent the internal core from expanding and splitting the silver.
Similar Pieces
Tiffany & Co. 'Chrysanthemum' vanity sets (higher value); silver-plated sets by makers like Reed & Barton (lower value/no hallmark).
Interesting Facts
In the 1890s, a complete vanity set could include up to 20 pieces, including glove stretchers, button hooks, and powder jars.