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Elaborate Victorian Style Mirror

Hand Lettering topics: Sign Making, Design, Fabrication, Letterheads, Sign Books.

Moderators: Ron Percell, Mike Jackson, Danny Baronian

DAVE SMITH
Posts: 1213
Joined: Sat Jul 10, 2004 11:12 am
Location: ENGLAND

Elaborate Victorian Style Mirror

Post by DAVE SMITH »

This is one of two mirrors recently completed. The mirrors were hand made using the traditional Embossing and brilliant cutting techniques from over 100 years ago.

The design was hand sketched onto paper and transfered to glass by hand .I had seen a design I liked in an interior Victorian design book and so I decided to use elements of the original artwork but changed all the centre panel to my own style .This mirror was started in March of 2010 . I took longer than usual to make these mirrors as I wanted to capture the richness of a genuine Victorian piece plus also working on other jobs always get in the way of the bigger works as we all know,with these panels I wanted to create a wide variety of techniques that the original craftsmen would of have employed. I have put together alot of photos from start to finish to show the procedure , some are taken from different angles to show off the light on the faceted cutting , please excuse the amount of pictures taken.

To see more please click this link here http://davidadriansmith.com/2011/06/06/victorian/

These are the exact kind of mirrors you would see in Lavish surroundings ,opulent grand Houses and Beautiful Victorian Pubs around London and the British Isles. Not to mention places like Las Vegas, Dubai, Monaco where beautiful mirrors and furniture are the norm.

Thanks
Dave
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DAVE SMITH
Posts: 1213
Joined: Sat Jul 10, 2004 11:12 am
Location: ENGLAND

Re: Elaborate Victorian Style Mirror

Post by DAVE SMITH »

These last two shots also. One with my little girl Milly standing next to it
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Tony Segale
Posts: 702
Joined: Thu Apr 08, 2004 10:20 am

Re: Elaborate Victorian Style Mirror

Post by Tony Segale »

Can I sweep your shop?
and he took that golden hair and made a sweater for baby bear.
http://www.tonysegale.com
http://www.tonysegale.wordpress.com
DAVE SMITH
Posts: 1213
Joined: Sat Jul 10, 2004 11:12 am
Location: ENGLAND

Re: Elaborate Victorian Style Mirror

Post by DAVE SMITH »

When you coming over? You must bring your own sweeping brush though.
and polish.
Larry White
Posts: 1213
Joined: Thu Apr 08, 2004 4:18 am

Re: Elaborate Victorian Style Mirror

Post by Larry White »

I'm starting to think real hard, that there's more than one of you over there.

Jenco, looks to me that the floor doesn't even need sweeping.

How many hours did he have in this one, Frank?

So English, was this for client, or just for fun?

You're brilliant! ...can I stand in your shadow for just a little bit?

Double CRICKEY!


Are the gold portions silvered over silver stain? I mean, am I close, am I right? Leaf?

.....now that I've made it through all those pictures, I see it was leafed!


.
Last edited by Larry White on Mon Jun 06, 2011 12:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Bill DeBekker
Posts: 22
Joined: Thu Oct 07, 2010 1:52 pm

Re: Elaborate Victorian Style Mirror

Post by Bill DeBekker »

All I can say is AMAZING...I also Admire your Patience you must have to create such beautiful work.

I'll just go back to my corner and wallow in shame.
Al_Daines
Posts: 5
Joined: Mon May 23, 2011 11:45 am
Location: Turkey

Re: Elaborate Victorian Style Mirror

Post by Al_Daines »

Wow

What a stunning piece. Which arab oils sheik ordered that one??? How many hours did you invest in that masterpiece?

Alan
Those that do not know but ask may be a fool for a day, but those who do not know and do not ask will remain fools for the rest of their lives.
Jerry Berg
Posts: 369
Joined: Wed May 02, 2007 3:17 pm
Location: pacific northwest

Re: Elaborate Victorian Style Mirror

Post by Jerry Berg »

Wow Dave, that's quite the masterpiece... done by a true master.

Thanks for all the effort in keeping this type of glasswork alive for us and
generations to enjoy! I seem to come up short on words when viewing your
work. Beautiful stuff Mate!
DAVE SMITH
Posts: 1213
Joined: Sat Jul 10, 2004 11:12 am
Location: ENGLAND

Re: Elaborate Victorian Style Mirror

Post by DAVE SMITH »

Thankyou all, real nice , I know how much you all like doing this work and your own individual passions for creating something that sparkles like these mirrors. That's why I post here on this forum. Here is the other mirror which I will keep for my family slightly taller but not as long. I nearly ended up with two as I have another wall it could go on. Yes Larry this is for a client, hours wise it took ages never kept a log should of really but I did get good payment for it, Just alot of work holding the bigger panels and scary at times when moving them around.
I signed them both on the back 1 and 2 with dates and a picture of me pulling a face so if someone does open the back they either will laugh or just think I was some sort of nutcase working in 2011. I also put a picture of Milo the dog in the back as he sat on the floor hour after hour watching me make them,they may think he made them.

Anyway thanks again.
Dave
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Patrick Mackle
Posts: 478
Joined: Thu Apr 08, 2004 10:21 am
Location: Monrovia, Ca.
Contact:

Re: Elaborate Victorian Style Mirror

Post by Patrick Mackle »

Dave,
That is a really nice screen that is, however,
Like so many new movies out recently , I see you believe in blatant product placement. But I think I would have gone with a bigger product name something like Coke or Pepsi. Somehow next to your stunning mastercraft, window cleaner doesn't grab me. :roll:
Pat
Kelly Thorson
Posts: 502
Joined: Tue Apr 20, 2004 11:53 pm
Location: Penzance, SK Canada
Contact:

Re: Elaborate Victorian Style Mirror

Post by Kelly Thorson »

Nice.....
OK really magnificent....I was just trying to keep you down to earth. :)
Have fun with the East Canadian, Eh?
I believe there is no shame in failure. Rather, the shame lies in the loss of all the things that might have been, but for the fear of failure.
Pat Welter
Posts: 57
Joined: Tue Aug 30, 2005 6:26 pm
Location: Unity, Sask. Canada

Re: Elaborate Victorian Style Mirror

Post by Pat Welter »

Dave, when do you sleep??? Absolutely grand....Pat
Creativity is allowing ones self to make mistakes. Talent is knowing which ones to keep.
Anthony Bennett
Posts: 352
Joined: Tue May 11, 2010 4:50 am
Location: England
Contact:

Re: Elaborate Victorian Style Mirror

Post by Anthony Bennett »

Fantastic stuff as always :D
DAVE SMITH
Posts: 1213
Joined: Sat Jul 10, 2004 11:12 am
Location: ENGLAND

Re: Elaborate Victorian Style Mirror

Post by DAVE SMITH »

I should have hidden that Pat trust you to spot that stuff, works nice though. Kelly Thanks ! you know me always down to earth and looking forward to seeing Doug B. He is in Bristol today UK and then down here tommorow ,Thursday up to see a friend again in Bristol and then over to Pinwood Studios to see another good friend who works on all the main films we see on the big screen should be fun. Thursday also looking at new pubs- well kind of old pubs around London that we have not seen before. I think Doug should be a Londoner by now,he looks like one. Thankyou Pat and Anthony much appreciated. Onto the next one which needs to be ready by September for the Old Portabello Rd,this one is for a Gin Pub called the Ginstitute a private members pub, will keep you posted on how it all goes.

Dave
Tony Segale
Posts: 702
Joined: Thu Apr 08, 2004 10:20 am

Re: Elaborate Victorian Style Mirror

Post by Tony Segale »

once you've made two, it's easy to make it three.
and he took that golden hair and made a sweater for baby bear.
http://www.tonysegale.com
http://www.tonysegale.wordpress.com
DAVE SMITH
Posts: 1213
Joined: Sat Jul 10, 2004 11:12 am
Location: ENGLAND

Re: Elaborate Victorian Style Mirror

Post by DAVE SMITH »

I will leave it at two Tony thanks mate.
Ron Berlier
Posts: 245
Joined: Fri Apr 09, 2004 3:27 am

Re: Elaborate Victorian Style Mirror

Post by Ron Berlier »

Absolutely stunning work, as always :!: :!:

Hey, I thought there was a recently passed international law that forbade Dave from creating any more of this type of eye candy?

I can't recall exactly what the penalty was - perhaps someone can fill in this missing piece of information.

Just super Dave -
Ron Berlier
Wherever I go, there I am.
Mike Jackson
Site Admin
Posts: 1705
Joined: Tue Apr 06, 2004 11:02 pm
Location: Jackson Hole, WY
Contact:

Re: Elaborate Victorian Style Mirror

Post by Mike Jackson »

Spectacular work!
Mike Jackson
Mike Jackson / co-administrator
Golden Era Studios
Vintage Ornamental Clip art
Jackson Hole, WY

Photography site:
Teton Images
Jackson Hole photography blog:
Best of the Tetons
Ingrid Mager
Posts: 78
Joined: Mon Jan 18, 2010 12:23 am

Re: Elaborate Victorian Style Mirror

Post by Ingrid Mager »

You are plain SCARY GOOD, Dave.

1) That's quite unusual with the cut pineapple and other fruits. Is that your own invention, or have you seen large fruits done elsewhere before?

2) I have been playing mostly with #220 AO wheels, but see that larger cuts will take a great amount of time. May I ask, is this all cut with about #220 AO or do you start your rough cuts with carbide sometimes? Diamond too?
Thanks for sharing,
Inga
DAVE SMITH
Posts: 1213
Joined: Sat Jul 10, 2004 11:12 am
Location: ENGLAND

Re: Elaborate Victorian Style Mirror

Post by DAVE SMITH »

Thankyou Mike appreciate that mate. Same to you also Ron .Ingrid it's

Common to see fruit on these types of mirrors over here, I gilded the fruit to give contrast against the silver I have not seen that effect before but it probably has been done many times on the older panels in pubs around the country.


As for the wheels I have used diamond in the v cuts and then gone in with a stone wheel to smooth off, the rest is just like normal cutting.

Thanks
Dave
Duncan Wilkie
Posts: 54
Joined: Fri Jun 30, 2006 5:53 pm
Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Contact:

Re: Elaborate Victorian Style Mirror

Post by Duncan Wilkie »

Nothing much I can add to these comments. I'm just glad you keep posting Dave. When I look at this, I get nervous thinking about transporting works like this. Please post some info and pictures about preparation, getting it out of your shop and installed on site. Do you or your client take out special insurance for the trip? Crikey, I'd need a Cardiac Specialist standing by.
DAVE SMITH
Posts: 1213
Joined: Sat Jul 10, 2004 11:12 am
Location: ENGLAND

Re: Elaborate Victorian Style Mirror

Post by DAVE SMITH »

Thankyou Duncan. I am insured but they picked it up and installed it, They were insured I asked them. I will get some photos once I am up there again. I need some for my portfolio. Thanks mate.
Dave
bob gamache
Posts: 158
Joined: Tue Sep 22, 2009 5:38 am
Location: New Jersey
Contact:

Re: Elaborate Victorian Style Mirror

Post by bob gamache »

Your're killin' me Master Dave!!
Bob Gamache
DAVE SMITH
Posts: 1213
Joined: Sat Jul 10, 2004 11:12 am
Location: ENGLAND

Re: Elaborate Victorian Style Mirror

Post by DAVE SMITH »

Bob I hope not...... Cheers buddy!
Dave
James Kelly
Posts: 25
Joined: Mon May 15, 2006 1:32 pm
Location: Ireland
Contact:

Re: Elaborate Victorian Style Mirror

Post by James Kelly »

Wow, that's just insane, mate. Love it!!!
James Kelly
DAVE SMITH
Posts: 1213
Joined: Sat Jul 10, 2004 11:12 am
Location: ENGLAND

Re: Elaborate Victorian Style Mirror

Post by DAVE SMITH »

Thanks James. hey glad to hear your still on with the Titanic meet ,will be seeing you for that occasion.
Dave
MILES M CULLINANE
Posts: 6
Joined: Thu Nov 25, 2010 2:51 am

Re: Elaborate Victorian Style Mirror

Post by MILES M CULLINANE »

Hey Dave, where can I buy the machine that did all that and where do I get the paints to make it all shiney as well??

I hope to make the Titanic meet as well so maybe you could teach us all you know in an hour or two, right?
DAVE SMITH
Posts: 1213
Joined: Sat Jul 10, 2004 11:12 am
Location: ENGLAND

Re: Elaborate Victorian Style Mirror

Post by DAVE SMITH »

Thanks Miles. I got my machine in a sale last July from Walmart. They gave me a guarantee also.
Nice piece of kit! all the paints are water based from Russia,they stopped making them now so no more left.
Dave
vance galliher
Posts: 321
Joined: Mon Apr 12, 2004 11:38 pm
Location: springfield, or.
Contact:

Re: Elaborate Victorian Style Mirror

Post by vance galliher »

Dave, just read your Letterville forum posts on this work...... I hope you don't mind my sharing this post with the folks here...? Thanks again for letting us see your world ...........

David A Smith
Visitor
Member # 5671

posted June 21, 2011 04:27 AM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neil. After producing the website and also the little film about this art my clients kind of stepped up a gear. I am used to dealing with pubs and small businesses which have been my clients since I started. I don't mean to drop any names here but customers such as Jameson Whiskey, Sony Records New York and some of the Disney guy's in Florida and many more world famous names are contacting me now for commisions which is brilliant but kind of scary at the same time. I'm just used to dealing with shop owners and small businesses . Some of the London customers don't mind spending good money on these higher end panels of glass, and that is how the money is covered for this work.

Some days like all of us I feel I need cloning . I bet a few of you here feel that way also.

It's all good and I feel very lucky to have these commisions in these harder times.
Thanks..
Dave

[ June 21, 2011, 04:31 AM: Message edited by: David A Smith ]

--------------------
David Smith CHAPMAN and SMITH, 5 SHIPHAY AVENUE, SHIPHAY,
TORQUAY, ENGLAND TQ2 7ED
01803 613753
vance
dimensional and glass art signs
http://www.vancegallihersigns.com
Anthony Bennett
Posts: 352
Joined: Tue May 11, 2010 4:50 am
Location: England
Contact:

Re: Elaborate Victorian Style Mirror

Post by Anthony Bennett »

DAVE SMITH wrote:Thanks Miles. I got my machine in a sale last July from Walmart. They gave me a guarantee also.
Nice piece of kit! all the paints are water based from Russia,they stopped making them now so no more left.
Dave


DAve, I'm gonna Bite.

You bought a machine from ASDA (WAlmart) ?
Which shelf area, off off to buy one....err how much? :D
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