My Mini Kingdom

So, on one of my "DO ALL THE ERRANDS WE'RE NEVER LOSING A DAY TO THIS AGAIN" Mondays, I stopped into a shop in Andersonville, paid a meter for less than an hour (because, antiques) and found a mirror that I knew was right for us.  So much of our furniture is thrifted, craigslisted, or inherited that I have kind of given up on anything being what I want and go with what I can find in the appropriate parameters.  But this guy, I knew he was mine. I started to take it apart on one of my middle of the night benders of PRODUCTIVE(!!!).  Basically, when the doors were being sanded and our lives were complete chaos.  I'm so intelligent about this stuff.  I took off the wire, the tacks holding the corners of the backing on, and then had to dig out small wedges of wood holding the mirror glass on, so that it could be removed.  The back of the mirror had a stamp, and it said "MMA, Hagemann Glass Company, Cincinnati, Apr 20, 1937." This mirror at least is older than some of my grandparents.  I texted my aunt, who would potentially be up for work by this time (and was), and asked what to do with him.  She told me to leave it alone, and also to go to sleep.  Not a bad plan.

I wasn't going to do that, but left it alone for several weeks.  I sort of listened?

I finally pulled the rest of the wedges holding the glass off, and took the glass out to properly clean it.  This guy was just in such rough shape.  I used some vinegar on both sides of the glass and scrubbed down, multiple times.  It removed all of the grime from the back and also cleaned the edges that had been hidden behind the frame lip beautifully.  

After a lot of research, I said, what the heck, and used a stain remover for antique woods that had all kinds of bad signs on it, but told myself it was for the greater good.  This stuff, Minwax Antique Furniture Refinisher, was perfect, it is a liquid that you pour out into a glass or metal container only (which was oddly reassuring to me, like, don't put this in plastic because it will be a puddle and alter your hardwood!) and buff with 0000 steel wool to dissolve off old finishes.  It removed the poly and finish that had darkened so badly over time, and of course was fumey, but, hey, it was working (I opened the windows, everything is fine).  There are no photos of this process because I was trying to get it over with as quickly as possible and had on gloves covered in noxious chemicals (safety first!).  The top's scrollwork and edging was a serious challenge and I left it soaking with some paper towels and called it for a bit.  Another day of erranding later, I found some smaller metal-bristled brushes than ones I had used for previous stripping projects, and thought I could give it a go in the detailed part of the piece.  It took some time, but the photo to the left was the result after two evenings of removal.

I let it chill out yet another day for all of the solvent to fully evaporate, and took to it with Howard Feed-N-Wax Wood Polish & Conditioner as I felt it would highlight the natural wood best.  You apply this paste-ish polish with a cloth, then allow it to rest on the wood for at least 20 minutes, then wipe to remove excess and polish.  Or, you can apply a coat, and walk away for a few minutes, and see that it's all gone and could use more, so apply two more coats before there is any "excess" to wipe off.  I gave it a good buff with a soft cloth and was thrilled.  This photo is mid-conditioning.  If you decide to make friends with this polish as I have, shake it up well, and forego the squeeze lid.  Just plop it out onto your cloth of choice, the lid doesn't let the thicker components of the gel come out terribly well.

Last, we came to the backing.  I didn't think the original backing would be a good option, as I felt the small wedges were possibly part of its anchoring, but also didn't want to just toss it.  We dithered for a bit, but since I wanted to see it done (one thing, PLEASE, FINISHED) I buckled down this afternoon and worked out a plan.  The plan involved yet another round of Feed-N-Wax, taking liberties with some of Alex's finishing nails, my pink hammer (which he takes advantage of sometimes, so marriage is legalized theft and fair), and the original backing (also Feed-N-Waxed, on both sides for good measure).  It fit onto the outer frame and no poor words were used, just 8 small finishing nails.

And now, my very own Kingdom mirror.  The condo version, and not a beautiful Victorian mansion.  This woman cracks me up, although my version of this is to acquire more things we don't need through Craigslist/Freecycle on my own without Alex's knowledge or consent, and then say, "Surprise!" He is easy-going about it (because he's easy going) and does not get mad, because sometimes it is a ShopVac ;) Also sometimes it is a project that keeps me quiet for a while and then he has peace in which to read and do math problems.

I would like to give an especial thanks to my patient aunt Shirrl, and her dear mother in law Joy, who swore that I should not paint the mirror.  I did really think about it in the beginning, but once the backing was off and I knew the age of this guy, I knew they were right.