Overmantel Mirror
A paper label on the back of this massive overmantel mirror documents the fact that it was made in Baltimore by Cariss & Harrington who were briefly in partnership from 1858-59. The mirror is large, 90" high by 83" wide. What particularly distinguishes the object is the crest. The crest is surmounted by composition leaves, grape clusters, corn ears, thistles and round fruit mounted in the center with a shield of stars and stripes. The crowning element is a hugh composition eagle with outstretched wings, grasping arrows in its left talon. The exuberance of the crest, its large eagle, shield and symbols of American bounty would suggest that the object was designed by J. Golsborough Bruff, an employee in the Office of the Supervising Architect of the Treasury who had designed lighting fixtures in a similar style for the south wing.
The Treasury Collection is especially rich in overmantel mirrors, which are original to the Treasury Building and were made in the 1850s-1860s. The mirrors were finished in both gold gilt and polished wood with many of the mirrors, like the one pictured here, retaining the labels of their original manufacturers. A number of examples, bearing the "US" shield would appear to have been customized for Treasury with specific designs provided by the Office of the Supervising Architect.
