Art Deco Dressing Table with Triptych Mirror, 1930

Details

Description

Dressing table with a three-part folding mirror, a piece of German Art Deco furniture from around 1930. The design is … Read more Dressing table with a three-part folding mirror, a piece of German Art Deco furniture from around 1930. The design is clearly structured: two raised side sections frame a lower central section, allowing the mirror surface to blend seamlessly into the overall form and creating a balanced silhouette despite its considerable height. Historical context: Dressing and vanity tables were standard furnishings in middle-class bedrooms during the 1920s and 1930s and were usually produced as part of a multi-piece bedroom set. They replaced the older 19th-century dressing table, combining its function with expanded storage space for grooming and hairstyling tools. The three-part folding mirror arose from the practical need to see the back of the head and one's profile – a requirement that gained importance with the short hairstyles favored by women during this period. Mass production using veneered softwood constructions made this type of furniture accessible to a wider range of buyers without sacrificing large-scale veneer patterns. Features: Three-part mirror unit with beveled glass; the two side panels are hinged and can be adjusted towards the central mirror. Two-zone cabinet construction: the raised side sections each contain a drawer above a door with an internal shelf, while the recessed central section contains two drawers above an open base. Design: The design follows the Art Deco style of the late 1920s and early 1930s. Defining features include rounded corner posts, a stepped plinth, and block-like feet, giving the piece a closed, flat appearance. Three-dimensional ornamentation is omitted; the design effect arises from the grain of the veneer, the gradation of the cabinet heights, and the contour of the mirror unit. Its multi-curved upper edge is a motif adopted from older design traditions and stands in deliberate contrast to the geometric rigor of the base. Former function: Dressing and grooming station in the bedroom or dressing room, in conjunction with a separate stool. Today: In addition to its original use, it can also be used as a console in the hallway or as a storage unit in the living room. Dimensions: Height 177 cm × Width 127 cm × Depth 29 cm. Material and condition: Solid wood and veneer, presumably birch. Brass fittings; the knobs have been replaced. The top panels of the two side sections are black-coated MDF and were added later; they are not original to the piece. Beveled mirror glass with age-related wear on the coating. Used condition, preserved in keeping with its age, with visible patina and signs of use on surfaces and edges. The piece was inspected, cleaned, treated appropriately for its material, structurally checked, and found to be stable and functional at Kastellan. See less