brush, hat
brush, hat

brush, hat

Object

Accession Number
2009.003.001.006
Description
Part of an assembled 13-piece dresser set, this sterling silver hat brush is engraved with the initials "LMD" (for Laura Miller Dunsmuir) in scrolling font inside a cartouche at the top of one side of the handle, the remaining parts of the handle and base of the brush with repousseed decoration, all the natural horsehair bristles intact.
Narrative
This mirror is part of a fine 13-piece silver dresser set assembled and owned by Laura Miller Dunsmuir (nee Surles). The set is unusually large and of very high quality. A Canadian woman of Mrs. Dunsmuir's wealth and social status during the Victorian and Edwardian eras would typically have had a dresser set similar to this one. 

This brush allows the user to gently brush hats and other delicate items. The bristles are horsehair.
History of Use
This brush is part of a fine 13-piece silver dresser set assembled and owned by Laura Miller Dunsmuir (nee Surles). She used it at her house Burleith, at Government House while her husband James served as Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, and at her residence Hatley Park. After her death, it was passed down through her descendents until acquired by The Castle Society.
Date
1900 – 1910
Dimensions
18 cm x 9 cm
Material
Metal, silver; Hair, horsehair
Technique
Repoussed; Engraved; Embossed
School/Style
rococo revival
Inscription
engraved LMD (for Laura Miller Dunsmuir), and stamped STERING SILVER 925/1000 FINE 1700

Related person/business/organization
Laura Miller Dunsmuir (nee Surles) (owner)
Related Associations
Burleith (was used in)
Government House (Victoria, B.C.) (was used in)
Hatley Park (was used in)