The PA dealer I purchased this hand held mirror from described it as sailor made; I would trust that, and learned from the shop keeper that the dealer spent a lot of time in Maine--and the construction of this feels akin to that of an antique cased compass. I just fell in love with it as a special feeling and aura-full object, heavy in the hand and with a sense of magic to the mirror itself, held inside the case with some distance between it and a layer of glass above it. It definitely feels as if it had a specific purpose, one might guess a nautical one, but I have not managed to determine it! 19th century for sure, and I would guess more early-mid than late.
4 1/8" x 2 7/16" x 3/4". One hairline crack as evident, with corresonding small loss and roughness to the edge there, which I have thoroughly documented. Otherwise just one tiny imperfection/nick along the bottom perimeter edge which appears likely original to it.
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