Moulded Mirrors

This site presents images of a collection of Mirrors and Brushes manufactured, in Victorian and Edwardian eras, from Shellac, Celluloid and Vulcanite. Most items date from between 1870 and 1900.

Shellac is a mouldable natural plastic made from the secretions of the Lac Beetle. The technique was first popularised about the time of the American Civil War. It was used to produce ‘Union Cases’. The fancy moulded cases were used to hold photographic mementoes. The ‘Shellac’ was mixed with one, or more fillers, including Sawdust, Powdered Slate or Diatomaceous Earth. When the cases went out of fashion, the manufacturers switched to making Mirrors, Brushes and Collar Box Lids.

Celluloid, alternately known as Zylonite, is a ‘Semi-Synthetic’ Plastic manufactured from Cellulose. The Cellulose is largely sourced from pulped paper. The resulting material can be dyed to produce various colours. The items presented here come mostly in Black or Brown.

Vulcanite is a hard plastic-like material that is produced by mixing Rubber and Sulphur and heating. On this site I illustrate a few Mirrors and Brushes, of exceptionally fine quality. The maker of these highly artistic products is unknown, at least to me.

n.b. If you want to see any of the images in more detail - click on the small image, then click on the resulting image to view it enlarged.'