Thread: Unexpected blast from the past.

These 2 pics were sent to my Son in law a couple of days ago.

They are pics of a mirror I made as a bit of a joke for a popular, country, Antique Auction house back in 1986. I put it in to the auction because there were a heap of know-all dealers who didn't know very much at all and wanted to see what their reaction to it was... for me, it was priceless, as all were convinced it was genuine Australian Cedar from the late 1800's, until one of them had a look at the back and said " Ahh f^@k-me-drunk... It's got a new plywood back, it's just an imported bloody knock-off." (or something very close to that but with a few more colourful expletives).

Anyway I sold it for a rather handsome price to a private buyer a few weeks later.

So it turned up in the Son In Laws email and he passed it on to me. It came from a man who has been charged with the restoration of the mirror which looks like it was dropped from a great height and smashed to pieces.

The best bit is in the 2nd photo where it shows the written message I placed in the back of the mirror when I made it, just in case it sold to one of the know-all dealers and he sold it on. It lists the timber, carving time, finishes and finishing time, etc, etc. Both of the times and coats of shellac were well over stated, but the rest is true.

Made both Pauline and myself laugh again when we saw it.

Funny thing is I'm pretty sure I still have the original drawing and maybe a photo for the mirror so if he wants to see I'll look them out.

Mirror busted.jpg Mirror note.jpg

Cheers - Neil

PS I only ever used Honduras Mahogany or Australian Cedar for mirrors. Only used meranti for the one above.