Antique Victorian Porcelain Backed Vanity Sets

These pretty vanity items were produced during the 1890s and continued for a few more years up until around 1920 or so. The hand mirror and brush were sold along with a comb in most cases. Sets were available to adults as well as children, the children's set being a bit smaller than the adults of course. Masculine sets were offered to men as well.

The porcelain backs commonly had transfer printed designs, usually with some hand painted enameled accents to make the designs look more lifelike. These porcelain backs were manufactured at Limoges, France and Germany and very rarely Nippon (Japanese c1891-1921). 

They featured gilded brass, aluminum, Roman gold finished brass (a muted tone) gold , German silver, or quadruple plated handles that were embossed with floral motifs, Art Nouveau whiplashes, nudes with flowing hair, mermaids, rococo swirls and scrolls. Most frames and handles are hollow, but I have seen solid ones and porcelain examples. Some frames are marked with "G. SILVER" for German Silver, a metal alloy which contains no actual silver & have the patent date "Pat June 13 1905." Others may be marked with "PAT. JAN. 3 '03." or "August 28th, 1902."

The masculine sets would feature animals such as Native American portraits, elk, deer, buffalo or waterfowl. Occasionally, one could find the masculine sets fitted with faux antler handles, made up of composition. 

The most common subjects on the porcelain backs were usually of a floral nature, especially lush roses, pretty violets, lilacs, colorful daisies, lily of the valley, poinsettias, poppies, and delicious fruits such as raspberries. The decor was generally transfer printed onto the porcelain via chromolithography, but I have also come across some of the backs that were entirely hand painted with the most lovely of subjects.

Less commonly found are the portrait backs. These would generally be pretty Gibson type ladies, children, fairies, cupids at play, royalty or notable figures such as Napoleon, or scenes of a neo-Classical or romantic Colonial/Regency period nature.

Other mirrors can be found advertising a company or commemorating an event such as the 1901 Pan Am Exposition.

The borders of the porcelain backs were typically gilded scrolls or floral swags, a flow blue edge, and some had no extra accents at all. 

The sets were put up in boxes, usually cardboard, but sometimes quite elaborate with gathered silk linings.

Limoges:

The William Guerin Limoges sets often came with a matching porcelain vanity tray, a hand mirror, hair brush, clothes brush and a smaller brush used for hats. Other porcelain blanks were usually manufactured by the Tressemann & Vogt company, also of Limoges, France. An example is shown in Mary Gaston's Encyclopedia of Limoges Porcelain, 3rd Series. Guerin pieces are referenced in Debbie Dubay's Antique Limoges at Home and Living With Limoges.  

The Guerin examples are fitted into very distinctive frames, the oblong ring, which reminds me of a keyhole, in the base of the handle gives it away.  You can see the variety of subjects and styles in the following photos.

Rosenthal Examples:

The German porcelain backs were manufactured by the famous Rosenthal company. Like the Guerin pieces, the Rosenthal examples were fitted into distinctive looking frames, these were mostly embossed with Art Nouveau flowers or organic whiplashes. The Rosenthal items are in the following photos.

Other Rosenthal Examples:

These mirrors and brushes have the same handle as the Rosenthal ones above, they just lack the fancy metal frame around the porcelain backs.

Cherub in the Handle Examples:

I believe that these are Rosenthal examples.

Nippon:

Sometimes the decorative motif will be Nippon floral motifs with intricate moriage beading. Japanese porcelain made for export to the United States from 1891 to 1921 is called "Nippon Porcelain" because the word "Nippon" was on each piece. The word "Nippon" was required by the McKinley Tariff Act of 1890. The Japanese used "Nippon," which was the English equivalent of the Japanese word for Japan. It was not until 1921 that the United States changed the law so that pieces had to be marked "Japan," not "Nippon."  I do not know who the maker of the frames are, could be the people who framed the Rosenthal examples.

 

Ring Handled Shaving Mirrors:

You may come across mirrors with a short, ring-like handle, these were often used for traveling or hung upside down for shaving. Notice there are different styles of the handles. I believe these were made by both Guerin or Rosenthal, I know that the five-sided mirror frames are Rosenthal examples. Someone would need to remove the back from its frame to see if it was marked.

Schafer & Vater Examples:

Every now and then I see those beautiful jasperware backed pieces with Neo-Classical motifs,  produced in Germany by Schafer & Vater, which some people mistake for Wedgwood, Adams or a look alike manufacturer. Schafer & Vater produced lovely vanity sets so you may be able to find a matching pin tray, hair receiver, powder box or hatpin holder. I have had jasperware pieces in pastel pink, pastel lilac purple, sage green and a deep cobalt blue color over the years.

It is not uncommon to find these items on ebay, I see about 2-3 pieces weekly. I have seen them in pristine condition as well as poor condition.

Gallery of Assorted Hand Hirrors & Brushes:

There are so many different mirrors and brushes you can collect. I think it would be impossible to have all of the extant examples. Your could focus your collection on specific makers like Limoges, Schafer & Vater or Rosenthal, or focus your collection on particular subjects whether it be portraits, cherubs or florals. Looking through this gallery, you will see the assorted subjects and styles that were made. 

 

Condition Grades:

I have broke down several condition grades to make it easy for you to list or purchase. Some people may not agree with my condition grades, so feel free to adjust to your own ideas if you'd like.
Pristine or mint condition would mean: virtually no wear to transfer or finish on handles, no chips or cracks to porcelain, no spots or streaks on mirror, no missing plugs of bristles, no scratches on porcelain, no dents on handles. In other words, looks like it was never used.

Very good condition would mean: very light wear to transfer (a faint scratch here and there), very light wear to finish on handles, no streaks or spotting on mirror, one or two of the plugs missing on brush, a dent or two on handle. Looks like it was used very little.

Good condition would mean: some visible scratches on transfer, normal wear to finish on handles, spotting or streaks on mirror, some dents to handles, over three plugs of bristles missing on brush. Looks like it was used, but with care.

Poor condition would mean: cracks or chips to porcelain, cracked mirror, considerable loss or scratches to transfer, considerable loss to finish or rust on handles, plenty of dents on handles, numerous plugs of bristles missing. Looks like it was used quite often!

These items make the most beautiful collections and even if an item has a cracked porcelain back, but unusual or lovely motif, don't hesitate to pick it up and add it to your collection.

Here are some images shown in an advertisement from a 1907 Fort Dearborn Watch & Clock Co. Catalog, Chicago, Il.

I have found the best website to find these pretty items, visit www.antiquepeek.com for fabulous handmirrors, brushes and sets. The pictures shown in this guide were taken from her website and you can see the high quality items she offers at reasonable prices.

Some photos used in this guide are from "Antiques Off Broadway" on www.antiquepeek.com, please visit their site to purchase them.

In Roseann Ettinger's book Antique Dresser Sets 1890s-1950s, she has a reprint of a Lyon Brother's catalog from 1899. On this catalog page, several porcelain backed dresser sets are being offered for sale. Her book also shows some porcelain backed vanity pieces in color with values.