Looking Glass Description

Mirror. Oscar B. Bach (stamped signature on applied tag). New York, New York. Probably 1920-1930. Copper alloys with nickel plating; glass; tinned sheet iron. Height overall: 36 5/8"; Width overall: 20"; Depth overall 1".

This nickel-tone frame has canted corners and a concave exterior molding, and contains a red bronze-tone segmented slip border. The dramatic pediment features a red bronze-tone female nude looking proper right with arms outspread and hands grasping foliate scrolls that continue to leaf buds and dog heads. The figure dissolves at the waste to petaled foliage that combines with the other organic scrolls. The pendant ornament is a ram’s head with curled horns that become foliate scrolls. A black-painted tinned sheet iron back appears to be original and has an affixed tag inscribed Oscar B Bach.

(continued below)

The power and strength of the ram Aries is combined with the image of Virgo, or Astraea. Astraea, embodiment of justice and innocence, once dwelt on the Earth but reluctantly left her terrestrial home when sin began to prevail, and was metamorphosed into the constellation Virgo. Virgo is often depicted in wise consideration, holding scales of justice. In this frame design, Bach removes Virgo’s tools of measure and instead has her grasp pendants of budding foliage. She stands in peace, flanked and perfectly balanced by the flora and fauna other earthly home.