Reverse Painting Mirrors

Reverse painting mirrors are wall mirrors, usually with wooden frames, that have paintings in their top panel. They are called reverse painting mirrors because they are created by the paint being applied to the back of the glass in reverse order. That is, the front layer is painted first, followed by the back layers. This technique of painting originated in China around the 17th or 18th century and is designed to protect the paint from the ravages of time and environment. Reverse paintings may be incorporated into “Tabernacle Mirrors,” which have columns on both sides, a cornice, and the painting panel above.

The trumeau mirror was first invented in France around the 18th century. Reverse paintings may also be incorporated in a trumeau (pronounced tro͞oˈmō) mirror. The French word ‘trumeau’ refers to the space between the windows. These mirrors were typically hung on the wall between two windows to add more light to the room. Often, candles were placed in front of the mirror to increase light and make the room even brighter.

The Cheshire Historical Society has eight 19th century reverse painting mirrors in its collection and on display in the Hitchcock-Phillips House. Seven of them are from the collection of former Historical Society President Dr. Robert J. Craig and his wife.

The reverse painting mirrors on display in the Hitchcock-Phillips House are all wooden framed with designs carved into the wood and paintings in the top panel of the mirror.

This tabernacle mirror is from the family home of Lillian Andrews (1916-2003), 200 Cook Hill Road. The frame is pine and has applied half-round columns painted black with gilt turnings. The decorative upper panel is a reverse painting showing a highly stylized still life, which is crude enough to classify as American primitive art. Attached to the back is an old newspaper clipping describing a very similar mirror, which is identified as a "Tabernacle Mirror - Made in New England about 1825.”

This is a reverse painting of the "Constitution-Guerriere battle," which was the first naval battle in the War of 1812. The British frigate "Guerriere" surrendered and soon sank, which was a major American victory. The Constitution was commanded by Captain Isaac Hull, who was born in Derby, CT in 1773.