Item 443

An incredibly rare repousse copper mirror made by Glasgow Girl, Agnes Bankier Harvey.

Agnes studied at the Glasgow School of Art from 1894 until 1899. She was a talented silversmith and studied at the London School of Silversmithing. Between 1904 and 1908 she taught silversmithing at the Glasgow School of Art. She was also skilled with enamel work and frequently exhibited jewellery as a member of the Lady Artists’ Club. She exhibited her work internationally and won a number of prizes in competitions. 

Later in her life she joined other well known Glasgow artists, such as Jessie M. King, at the Green Gate Close Coterie. She continued to produce metalwork for most of her life yet pieces by her are incredibly rare. Researching this mirror has proved very difficult as there are so few examples of her work in museums, auction sales or periodicals of the day. 

The mirror itself has a very simple, almost naive, design of a central rose surrounded by more abstract foliate forms. It is very well made and on a solid wooden back. Importantly, it has an original paper label which has “Agnes B. Harvey” on it alongside a price of £3 and 3 shillings. The mirror is described as a rose tinted mirror in a copper frame. The mirror is indeed rose tinted suggesting it is original. The piece is in fantastic condition with a wonderful patina. 

My research eventually led me to a book called “Tales of Kirkcudbright Artists” written in 2006. It contains an image of a mirror by Agnes which has many similar style elements. I believe it may be part of a file of information held by the Stewartry Museum in Kirkcudbright including an article by E.A. Taylor. Suffice to say, I will be continuing my research.