Historical information

A handheld mirror such as this one would be used in a 19th century family for personal grooming, or perhaps in a barber or hair dresser shop. The "ebony" wood may have been 'ebonised' wood, a process that made plain wood appear to be ebony.

Significance

The handheld mirror is an example of a 19th and early 20th century personal grooming accessory. A mirror like this would often be sold with a matching hairbrush and comb.

Physical description

Mirror, personal handheld, oval, painted black, with a bevelled edge around the mirror glass and a wooden handle. Wood is ebony. Inscription on handle

Inscriptions & markings

"EBONY"