Cheval mirrors became possible as skills and knowledge improved in mirror making. The cheval mirror, also called cheval glass, is a full length mirror inside of a decorative frame and swinging from a vertical, legged or pillared larger frame that is mounted on trestles or bars, standing on a pair of feet. This supporting frame is also known as a horse, a term used to describe supporting legged frames like the saw horse. The word cheval means “horse” in French. So a mirror swinging on a horse is a cheval mirror or glass.

The framed reflective glass can be tilted at any angle because of the swivel screws or keys supporting it. In their original forms their height could be adjusted by using lead counterweights and the horse frame. These mirrors, more a piece of furniture than a looking glass, were very popular by the late 1700’s. Great furniture designers like Thomas Sheraton all included designs for a cheval mirror. As mirrors became affixed to wardrobes and armoires chevals became less necessary.

Smaller versions of the cheval mirror were also constructed for use on the top of dressers and bureaus. They often had a single drawer at their base to hold shaving supplies. Although these were also a cheval mirror they are often identified as a shaving mirror or dressing mirror.

Today the Amish craft nostalgic solid wood designs from cherry, oak, maple and hickory native hardwoods. There are designs and stains to compliment any home’s décor from Mission to Modern. Heights vary from 65” to 68” to accommodate most people and rooms.

Tags: Amish, cheval mirror, cheval mirror history, cheval origins, dressing mirror, full length mirror, furniture design, hardwood, history of cheval mirror, Mission, shaving mirror

This entry was posted on Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008 at 11:07 am and is filed under History of Furniture Making, Mirrors. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.