Featured Shaving mirror of indeterminate origin/ would love best guesses

This it most certainly is not.

 

Maybe the joinery on the drawer would have something to say?

 

Agreed

 

Unfortunately it was missing half of one of the barley twists at the bottom, which I was able to carve, but still a bummer.

 

Did you replace the mirror as well?
I'm thinking it should have been beveled.

 

Think circa 1880 and not American. Could be English with those barley twist turnings. If 1870 or so, this would not necessarily have had a beveled mirror.

 

Yes, of course you're correct. Don't know why I was thinking beveled.

 

Nope. That’s not to say it’s the original, but it has some age for sure

 

Hmmmm, guesses late 19th century - 1900, Victorian era, i don't think english because secondary wood on drawer side photo does not appear to be oak.
What is secondary wood species, can you ID? Ditto primary wood species.

 

Thanks for passing it along! I love that no one can agree. I was going to try to sell this piece, but I’m starting to appreciate the mystery even more. I just wish I had the perfect place for it. Wonder what it would be worth.....

 

Interesting

LOL, yeah, how about that! Well, I'd say agreement is pretty solid on date, origin is another matter. ID of wood species could help out on that front i suspect.

Good question, I'd say not as much as you think because of function, doubts many men would have a use for this today. Plus origin confusion wouldn't help, not to mention a depression in most antique furniture prices.

 

I'm wondering if this was made on order for someone.

There's a lot of symbolism going on.
The half moons are unusual.
https://www.answers.com/Q/What_does_the_crescent_moon_symbolize

Did you notice the barley twists are in 2'S?
In numerology, a 2 is feminine and associated with the moon.
https://www.numerology.com/numerology-numbers/2

The dogs
http://animal-symbols.com/dog-symbol.html

I can't figure out what this symbolizes.


Is the knob fixed? or does it come off?


It's pretty cool.

 

Interesting. That is what one of my antique dealer clients suggested, saying it looked like a commission for someone who wanted a bit of this and a bit of that. He suggested French/Alsace but between 1840-48.
There are no moving parts.

 

Also, just FYI, the animals are lions I believe. They have manes.....

 

Since the symbolisms tend toward feminism.

These use to be commonly used descriptions.
Notice both have connections to France.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dandy
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fop

 

Strange looking lion. Nose is too long. Not enough mane.

 

Ah, I see what you mean.

 

No dust, so I don’t think they are active. I’ve had this for quite some time, and never seen any sprinklings.