American Empire Large Mahogany Mirror or Looking Glass 1830-1840

Large American Empire, 1830-1840 Mirror or looking glass. Every fine Greek Revival home in this period had a similar looking glass in the front hall or parlor; whether it was a Gone with the Wind Southern plantation,, an Erie Canal Merchant’s home. or Key West Wrecker’s cottage. this is very functional, I use it in my own home. mirror glass is excellent and very thick. It is a very solid antique. The original wood back protects the glass; necessary as this would have been moved by Steamboat, schooner, Canal boat or horse and wagon. The mahogany veneer has some flaking and needs repair. One piece of edge moulding is missing. This is a very fine antique that needs some cosmetic restoration or refinishing. Mirrors or looking glasses were very important, as they reflected light of oil lamps or candles; yet were still considered a luxury. . This would have been only in the finest of homes; except in Key West, where furnishings came from shipwrecks lost on the reef enroute to New Orleans. There it was chosen by the wrecking captains and every 19th century home or museum has a similar mirror