Pier Glass 1850 - 1904

Robert William Hume created this design for a Pier Glass. Hume was active in the mid-19th century, a period marked by significant social changes, including evolving notions of domesticity and identity. Pier glasses, or mirrors designed to fill the space between windows, became popular features in homes, reflecting not just the inhabitant's image but also their aspirations and status. Hume's design, with its elaborate ornamentation, embodies the opulence desired during that era. A mirror is not merely a functional object, it is a reflective surface that encourages self-perception. How does the scale and style of the mirror influence the viewer's perception of themselves? What narratives of class and gender are embedded in the design, in what it reflects, and what it hides? Hume's work invites us to reflect on the complex interplay between identity, domestic space, and social status.