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