Circular with tapering handle. Back engraved with stylized, ancient Greek male figure holding mirror in extended hand. Handle engraved with cross-hatched pattern. (Part of set 1998-21-1/3a,b)

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Object Timeline

1938	Work on this object began.
1998	We acquired this object. We photographed this object. We photographed this object.
2000	We photographed this object. We photographed this object.
2015	We photographed this object.
2016	We photographed this object. We photographed this object. We exhibited this object.
2017	We exhibited this object.
2021	You found it!

Hand Mirror (USA), 1938

This is a Hand mirror. It was designed by Tommi Parzinger and made by Peter Albert Reimes. It is dated 1938 and we acquired it in 1998. Its medium is engraved rolled silver, mirror glass. It is a part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts department.

This mirror, part of a unique and charming silver toilet set, is a fine example of Tommi Parzinger’s specially commissioned work—an important component of his design activity throughout his career. The Greek decorative motifs provide a fascinating example of the survival of ancient classical design in the 20th century. Although the museum has a large group of drawings by Parzinger, as well as his archives, this toilet set will be the first three dimensional Parzinger material in our collections.

It is credited Museum purchase from Walter R. Scholz Memorial Fund.

Box And Lid (USA), 1938
silver.
Museum purchase from Walter R. Scholz Memorial Fund.
1998-21-3-a,b

Hemispherical bowl (a) with attached striated handle with scroll terminal as hanger for tongs (b) with curved handle terminating in circular grips with short teeth.

Ice Bowl And Tongs (USA), ca. 1934
chrome-plated metal.
Gift of Mel Byars.
1991-59-110-a,b

Vertical rectangle. Male figure, suggestive of sculpture, in the costume of classical antiquity, with the attributes of a Bacchante: grapes in one hand, and goblet in the other. He stands on a pedestal with guilloche decoration. Printed in grays and neutral yellow on gray ground.

Decorative Panel, Bacchus, 1825–1835
block-printed paper.
Gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt.
1931-45-52

Our curators have highlighted 3 objects that are related to this one.

Male figure dressed in classical garb holding a rounded stone in his right hand.

Drawing, Study of Standing Figure, ca. 1670–1700
red chalk and black chalk on cream laid paper.
Museum purchase through gift of various donors and from Eleanor G. Hewitt Fund.
1938-88-6548

Vertical rectangle showing the back of a hand mirror. The central scene shows Medea fleeing Corinth in a chariot drawn by winged dragons, which belonged to her grandfather Helios. Below, Medea rejuvenates Jason’s father Aeson.The frame design is densely composed of strapwork and female figures. At top, an enthroned woman. Pearls hang from the frame on either side.

Print, Hand Mirror with Scenes from the Story of Medea, 1561
engraving on white laid paper.
Museum purchase through gift of Mrs. John Innes Kane.
1946-13-1

Hand Mirror, ca. 1890
cast brass, cut mirrored plate.
Gift of Unknown Donor.
n-a-612

Its dimensions are

H x W x D: 27.9 x 15.5 x 0.8cm (11 x 6 1/8 x 5/16in.)

It has the following markings

Stamped on edge: "RP / STERLING / Panzinger [in script]"

Cite this object as

Hand Mirror (USA), 1938; Designed by Tommi Parzinger (American, b. Germany, 1903–1981); engraved rolled silver, mirror glass; H x W x D: 27.9 x 15.5 x 0.8cm (11 x 6 1/8 x 5/16in.); Museum purchase from Walter R. Scholz Memorial Fund; 1998-21-1

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibitions The Virtue in Vice and Thom Browne Selects.

Short URL http://cprhw.tt/o/2DF2k/
Accession Number 1998-21-1
Object ID 18666913