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Mirror
Mills, Ernestine, born 1871 - died 1959 - Enlarge image
Mirror
- Place of origin:
London (made)
- Date:
1900-1905 (made)
- Artist/Maker:
Mills, Ernestine, born 1871 - died 1959 (designer and maker)
- Materials and Techniques:
Enamelled copper
- Credit Line:
Ernestine Mills Gift
- Museum number:
CIRC.136-1958
- Gallery location:
In Storage
This mirror has the combination of copper and translucent enamel that was a feature of metalwork in the Arts and Crafts style. The textured hammered copper surface is also typical of the style, which celebrated hand-working techniques.
Ernestine Mills (1871-1959), who designed and made it, learned her enamelling techniques from Alexander Fisher (1864-1936), a leading Arts and Crafts enameller and silversmith. She was also a very active suffragette. (The suffragettes campaigned for the right for adult women to vote in general elections.)
For a number of years, she was vice-president of the Craft section of the Society of Woman Artists. She produced a large amount of work, including jewellery, for the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU). The Pankhurst family founded this militant suffragette organisation in Manchester in 1903.
