This enormous mirror dates to 1872 and once decorated the ballroom of "Elmhurst Estate" the former East Walnut Hills home of William S. Groesbeck (1815–1897) US Congressman and Senator from Ohio. Inside our objects conservation lab, this mirror is once again sitting upright in all of its glory for the first time in several decades. Standing more than 11 feet tall, the mirror is framed with beautiful carved wood and decorative plaster work all covered in gold leaf. The gold, wood, and plaster are all being treated for stabilization to prevent losses.

The mirror itself is made from an amalgam of mercury and tin applied to a thick sheet of glass. Luckily, mirror technology has improved, and today mirrors are made from much safer and more stable materials. To identify a mercury mirror, look for the characteristic sparkle, usually forming near the bottom of the mirror, this is a form of degradation indicating the mercury is returning to a liquid state. Despite its age, this mirror is in excellent condition and shows only a few areas of this characteristic deterioration.

You can see in the reflection of the mirror, our conservator is taking precautions as the conservation of the frame requires working in very close proximity to the mirror for long periods at a time. Nitrile gloves, a lab coat, and a mercury vapor respirator allow the conservation work to continue as we bring this incredibly grand mirror back to life.

Look for the Elmhurst mirror in an upcoming exhibition—stay tuned for details!