Mirror Frame c. mid 17th century

This is an anonymous mirror frame found at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. With dimensions of 37 3/8 x 24 1/2 inches, its surface is adorned with an array of embroidered figures and motifs. Though the maker remains unknown, such looking glasses were often the product of young women's labor in the 17th century. Needlework was a common practice through which they could demonstrate their skill and refinement. The figures embroidered on the frame – the elegant ladies and gentlemen – suggest a world of leisure and status. The choice of such imagery invites us to consider how gender and class shaped the self-perception of the embroiderer, and how it was intended to perform within their social circles. It seems to reflect a desire for social mobility, and the crafting of identity through material culture. It offers a glimpse into the domestic lives and aspirations of women in the early modern period, reflecting both the constraints and creative outlets available to them.