Civil War Miscellaneous
Civil War Mirror with Top Inset Reverse Painting on Glass of the Bombardment of Fort Sumter: "1861 - FORT SUMTER - APRIL 12TH"
c. 1861 Civil War Era, Impressive Wall Mirror with top Decorative Hand-Painted Inset Reverse on Glass depicting the Bombardment of Fort Sumter, with legend reading, "1861 - FORT SUMTER - APRIL 12TH", Very Fine.
Civil War period Hand-Carved Mahogany Wall Mirror, with 5.75" x 11" (by sight) eglomise inset panel with a depiction of the Bombardment of Fort Sumter, Signed, "W. Metz" with carved half columns, overall measuring 27.5" x 16." An impressive decorative mirror, meant to hang on a wall, with wire and eyelets on the back. The most important portion of this display piece is the fabulous Hand-painting of the Fort Sumter Bombardment, viewed from the vantage point of an off-shore ship, with explosions emanating from inside the fort, where a huge fire roars. Below the scene is a Painted legend reading, "1861 - FORT SUMTER - APRIL 12TH". Small pieces of the paint have flaked off as shown, but these are either on the outer border or in the sky, none of which affects the all-important dramatic view of Fort Sumter itself. The painting is made more interesting in that it appears to have a "3D" effect, as there are actually two layers due to the Painting on glass. Also shown are Two Ships, the Sea, and the Fort are on a separate glass panel on the front, and smaller Ships and the Sky are on another panel for the background. The mirror itself is in excellent condition. The wooden frame is in good condition except for the bottom base of the left column where some pieces of the outer wood edge have chipped off. Overall, an attractive historic display piece that will be a wonderful addition to any Civil War collection and the first we have seen or handled depicting Fort Sumter.