French Country · Encyclopedia · Lighting and Mirrors
Vanity & Dresser Mirror
Tilting table mirrors and dresser mirrors.
Mirrors & Trumeaux · Indicative US retail $80–$900
At a glance
- Family: Mirrors & Trumeaux
- Periods most often found: Table psychés date from 1800 to 1900; Victorian dresser mirrors from 1850 to 1910; Art Deco vanity mirrors from 1925 to 1950.
- Typical price: about $250; range $80 to $900 and more for exceptional pieces
- What drives value: Frame, glass
What it is
Vanity and dresser mirrors are the private mirrors of the house: tilting table mirrors on stands, triple-fold mirrors for a coiffeuse, and mirrors mounted on the back of a dresser or wash stand. French psyché de table mirrors in mahogany, brass or gilt wood were made for dressing tables throughout the 19th century, and Art Deco vanities often came with round or fan-shaped mirrors.
How to identify and date it
The swivel hardware should be original and hold the glass at an angle without slipping. Beveled glass and thin, slightly gray plates point to age; check for silver loss at the edges. Look at the back for original boards and screws. On dresser mirrors, confirm that the mirror belongs to the dresser: holes, color and style should match.
Periods and styles
Table psychés date from 1800 to 1900; Victorian dresser mirrors from 1850 to 1910; Art Deco vanity mirrors from 1925 to 1950.
How much is it worth?
On the US retail market, most vanity & dresser mirror examples ask around $250. Simple or worn pieces start near $80, while documented, signed or exceptional examples can pass $900. The main value drivers are: frame, glass. These are indicative ranges, not an appraisal; see our price guide for French antiques for the method.
Before you buy
- Test the tilt
- Inspect silvering
- Check the frame for cracks
- Confirm that a dresser mirror fits
Living with it
A small tilting mirror on a dresser or a bathroom shelf is a practical antique you will use every day.
How we write these guides: identification notes are general guidance written by French Country; a style name, a region or a resemblance does not by itself date or attribute a piece. Price ranges are indicative US retail asking prices for antique and vintage examples in sound condition (dealers, specialist marketplaces and auctions), estimated and rounded as of November 2026; check recent sold results before relying on a figure. They are not appraisals or offers to buy or sell: condition, provenance and documentation can move a value far outside the range. For insurance, estates or sales, ask an independent, qualified appraiser for a written valuation.