Name/Title
Federal-Style MirrorContext
Perched by the front entrance of the Neill-Cochran House Museum is a large convex mirror with a gilt frame topped with an eagle figure, its wings outstretched.
This glorious mirror, known as a Federal bull's eye mirror, has a hand-carved, ornate wood frame that is gilded in gold leaf. The frame is decorated with 21 evenly-spaced, gilt balls and topped with a gilt, hand-carved eagle on a pedestal surrounded by acanthus leaves.
Federal bull's eye mirrors were popular in America during the Federal period (1795-1815). Even the simplest versions featured gilt frames surrounded by gold balls, but grander mirrors were always topped by an eagle symbolizing the tenacity and independence of the new American republic.
The technology to create curved glass developed in France, but bull's eye mirrors originated in England. These mirrors were often placed in ballrooms and dining rooms allowing people to see the entire room at a glance. They were also commonly placed by an entrance with door lights, reflecting the light from outside into the room.
The Federal bull's eye mirror in the Neill-Cochran House Museum was likely made around 1815 and comes from a home in New York State. It was given to the NCHM in 1968 by Ms. Mary Austin Perry Beretta in memory of Mrs. Hamilton Bonnet.
This patriotic artifact helps light the foyer as the days grow shorter, and it reminds us of the bravery and sacrifice of America's veterans. You can see it, and all of our distinguished artifacts, Wed-Sun, 11-4pm.Acquisition
Accession
1968.03Source or Donor
Mrs. Jack W. Beretta (Mary Austin Perry)Acquisition Method
GiftCredit Line
In Memory of Mrs. Hamilton Bonnet