Friedman Bros. Model- #5541; Name- The Prince of Wales Looking Glass; Finish- Burl Walnut & Genuine 22k gold leaf; Beveled- YES; Condition- NEW; Size- 28" x 47"; Friedman Brothers original suggested retail price- $4700; This Georgian Chippendale features a Prince of Wales feather in gold. The fillet surrounding the beveled mirror plate is also in gold. The frame is finished in a beautiful burl. The original was made in England between 1740 and 1750 and hangs in the West Hall of Colonial Williamsburg's Raleigh Tavern. Prince of Wales Looking Glass Introduced in 1938. In the American colonies during the early 18th century, those who wanted to buy looking glasses usually had to buy English imports, whose already high prices were increased substantially with the cost of shipping. The craftsmanship to make a mirror's frame required great skill and expertise. Plate glass was very expensive and time consuming to manufacture and had a high frequency of breakage. For these reasons, mirrors were highly treasured, expensive possessions. Later in the 1700s, however, new technologies for making plate glass helped lower the cost dramatically, and the colonial middle class clamored to purchase these stylish and newly affordable ways to reflect.
Stenella Interiors
800 W. Second ST
Lansdale PA 19446
267.222.8926
Stenella Antiques
104 S. 2ND STREET
PERKASIE PA 18944
215.453.8490