Large 20Thc Wavy Fairground Mirror C.1970-80

Forming a virtual image, the wavy acrylic plate in a stained pine box frame to simulate oak with reeded edges, standing at five and a half feet high and surviving from a house of mirrors attraction at a British fairground or circus.

Condition is sound with no apparent damage to note; there is some foxing to the glass, though entirely consummate with age and the frame is intact.

A house, or hall of mirrors is a traditional attraction at funfairs and amusement parks; the basic concept, a maze-like puzzle. The mirrors may be distorted because of different curves, convex or concave, to give the participants unusual and confusing reflections of themselves to be either humorous or frightening.

The origins of the house of mirrors stem from the hall of mirrors in the Palace of Versailles. Upon a visit to France to discuss colonial land agreements, Peter Stuyvesant arrived at the Palace of Versailles and gazed upon the hall of mirrors present in the palace. Peter became determined to bring this amazement to the newly founded colonial city of New Amsterdam, of which he was governor. Peter Stuyvesant's House of Mirrors was founded in 1651 and he charged one Dutch gulden for admission.

Once the custodian of this mirror, you too could happily charge for admission but be warned; this mirror may transform you into a pin-headed monster…and whatever you do, don’t look behind you.