Antique Victorian Sterling Silver Handmirror by William Comyns – London 1897
This is a beautifully decorated sterling silver hand mirror. It is fully hallmarked (images attached) as London Sterling Silver, dated 1897 with the makers mark William Comyns. It is embossed with typically Victorian images of birds, flowers, vines and rather charming bearded fellows (possibly ‘The Green Man’).
William Comyns established his silversmith firm in 1859 when he purchased Robert Tagg’s silversmith business. The business was based in London. In 1885, Comyns’s sons Charles Harling Comyns and Richard Harling Comyns joined the family business. The business was renamed William Comyns & Sons. Richard Harling Comyns was the last surviving family member to run the business and after his death in 1953 the business was purchased by Bernard Copping. The new ownership marked a shift in the prominence of the firm. William Comyns hallmark is a ‘W.C’ inscribed inside a four pointed oval.
A less ornate 1897 William Comyns handmirror was owned by Elizabeth Taylor, which was auction (together with a trinket box) at Christies in Dec 2011. It fetched $10,200.00 (
http://www.christies.com/lotfinder/LotDetailsPrintable.aspx?intObjectID=5501033 ). William Comyns is a popular, sought after silversmith.
The mirror cartouche has the initials ALC engraved in beautiful script. There are no dents scratches or loss of definition to the silverwork, it is immaculate although probably in need of a good expert polish. I have not polished it thoroughly as I though it best to avoid amateur polishing!
The glass/mirror has some minor marking which appears to be at the back of the glass (see image), there are no scratches/marks to the glass face. I am sure the glass could be restored (resilvered) although I think that this just adds to the age/character of the piece.
The measurements are:
Length – 27.5cm
Width – 11cm
Handle length (from base of mirror) 12.5cm
A really beautiful mirror!
Please let me know if you would like any further information.
I will ship to UK using Royal Mail, next day ‘Special delivery’
I will ship worldwide using Royal Mail ‘Airsure’. It will be securely packaged and insured.
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