Mirrors
Name/Title
MirrorsDescription
The BEDO 900 mirror is a decorative silver mirror produced in Turkey during the 1960s and 1970s, a period marked by the consolidation of the Turkish Republic and a growing interest in combining traditional craftsmanship with modern aesthetics. These mirrors are crafted from 900-grade silver, indicating a silver content of 90% alloyed with 10% other metals, usually copper, to improve strength and durability. The “900” stamp is accompanied by the mark “BEDO,” which refers to the workshop or silversmith responsible for the production. While the precise identity of BEDO remains uncertain (likely Armenian), it is associated with Turkish silversmithing traditions active in the mid-20th century. The design of BEDO 900 mirrors reflects a synthesis of Ottoman-inspired decorative motifs with the more streamlined elegance characteristic of the postwar period. Common features include repoussé and chiseled ornamentation, particularly floral patterns, vine scrolls, and stylized leaves rendered in relief across the surface of the frame or handle. These elements draw on the visual language of Ottoman-era silverwork, yet the execution and context clearly situate the mirrors within the modern Turkish Republic. The mirrors were often produced as dressing table accessories or bridal gifts, prized for both their aesthetic value and their symbolic associations with domestic refinement and personal grooming. Unlike mass-produced items of the same era, BEDO 900 mirrors exhibit signs of hand craftsmanship, such as asymmetries in detailing and subtle variations in engraving. They were most likely made in urban centers with established traditions of fine metalwork, such as Istanbul or Ankara, where silversmithing remained a respected artisanal trade during the republican era. These mirrors served not only functional roles but also decorative and ceremonial purposes within the home, particularly in the context of female dowries and household display. Today, BEDO 900 mirrors are considered collectible objects, valued by enthusiasts of vintage Turkish design and 20th-century decorative arts. Their market appeal lies in the combination of quality silverwork, period-specific style, and cultural continuity with earlier traditions. The condition, intricacy of design, and clarity of hallmarks significantly affect their value on the antique market. Though not widely documented in academic literature, BEDO 900 mirrors represent an important transitional form in Turkish decorative art, bridging the gap between Ottoman heritage and the modernizing ethos of the republican period.Category
Mirrors