Elena’s Favorite Item: The Dresden Mirror

The Dresden mirror in Margaret Grundy’s room is one of my favorite objects, likely for the same reason Margaret liked it— it is gorgeous!

The mirror is an absolute work of art. It features a spray of flowers and two intricately crafted cherubs that are more akin to statuettes than what one might typically imagine would go on a small hand mirror.

The small loop on top shows that the mirror was meant to hang on a wall. It would have been displayed like a painting. This suggests that it was seen as a work of art. The mirror was purchased in the late 1890s while Margaret and Mary were abroad after William’s death— quite the souvenir indeed!