Jan and John Maggs Antiques

The Georgian Dressing Mirror

This beautiful Georgian dressing mirror on stand had been in our inventory for several months -- much longer than we had thought possible, in view of its simple elegance, fine condition, and reasonable price. We gave it a prominent place in our booth at last May's Rhinebeck show.

As had happened at the two or three shows to which we'd taken it earlier, many customers stopped to admire it, and many commented on its charm and beauty. But all walked on, and the mirror stayed on its perch, reflecting other objects in our booth as they paraded past, leaving our booth with their new owners.

At around two o'clock on Sunday afternoon -- the time when activity begins to slow and dealers cluster together in conversation -- talk turned to the dressing mirror. Our neighbors, Dick Costa and Dave Currier, remarked that it seemed strange that it hadn't sold, since it was one of the nicer things in our booth. We ventured the theory that despite its beauty and charm, we live in an age when these intimate accessories have been supplanted by full-length mirrors and reflective bathroom walls. Though lovely in form, our period mirror was now devoid of function -- an albatross.

Our discussion was interrupted by the appearance of a customer who an hour earlier had purchased a small table from us. He walked into the booth, caught our eye, and announced, "We'd like the dressing mirror as well."

The transaction was made, and the buyers left with the dressing mirror. No sooner had they disappeared around the corner, than we began a quick visual inventory of our booth, looking for other sleeping giants we might bring to the conversational round table!

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