Featured Highly Unusual Sorcerors Mirror

Hey everyone It's been a long time since I was active here but I've got such a strange object I'm not sure where to ask. And any forums relevant to this mirror are few and far between.

Today I purchased a 19th century Sorcerors mirror. The oval form of this size whilst still rare are common amongst these mirrors. I'm in England

It's the frame that is bizarre. There is an outer border that is chip carved and more simple. Whilst the inner section is carved with foliage and flora with a large long necked bird above and two boars addorsed below.

It's a highly decorative wall mirror with lots of character....BUT....The central section spins vertically....WHY?

The bird and boars could be armorial possibly. But why would a mirror like this exist that can spin internally?

Thanks for any help. This may need an occult deep dive or a little creativity

 

Beautiful!
I can't contribute to the origin or age but I agree with davey, it has a tilt function to adjust for user's height. I have a wall-mount modern mirror that does this. And it especially makes sense for a hall stand mirror. I wonder if, originally, those rings on the back were some way of mounting it on the hall stand. And then when separated from the stand, the owner attached the chain to adapt it to wall-mount.

I've never heard of a "sorcerer's mirror"... what makes one such?
(EDIT: Googled... it's a convex mirror.)

 

The bird looks like a vulture to me. I find the construction of the chain interesting.

I'm spatially challenged. Is the axis it spins on vertical or horizontal? I can only see it being adjustable to users' height if it tilts forward & back on a horizontal axis. If it moves the other way, then maybe a shaving mirror that can be adjusted for best light? If it is convex, would you use it to adjust your chapeau? If it is hanging against a wall, can it move very far in any direction? I have so many questions & so little wit.

 

Only a sorceror would want a scavanger bird staring at his face.(LOL)

 

Thank you.....we're quite happy with folks coming here for help....... and we do a pretty good job ...... no apps needed !!!!!!

So Scram !

 

double scram (casts spell protection)

.........just think it sounds like some kind of sorcery

 

Thank guys, I haven't had a mirror with this function. Tilts on its horizontal axis is a much clearer way to put it.

I think you're right about it adjusting for the height of the user.

As for Sorcerors mirrors, they have a few names but the basic principle is that looking into one can help you see things from 'beyond' Most are a flat mirror with convex smaller circles inside showing a distorted view of reality. I don't believe in these things but I still don't stare at the ones I have just in case.

 

Most here already know of this item, but just as an addendum,John Dee's scrying mirror (hope link works !)-
https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/H_1966-1001-1