The Mirror

Title: Decorative Oval Tabletop Mirror
Manufacturer: Reliance Products Co.
Date: 1943 (Made in USA, wartime production)
Material: Cast metal frame with gilt finish; oval glass mirror; easel-back stand
Markings: Stamped on back, “Made in USA 1943”
Dimensions: Small tabletop size (approx. 6–8 inches tall)

About the Maker

Reliance Products Co. was a mid-20th century American manufacturer that produced a variety of household goods, including vanity accessories and decorative objects. During the 1940s, many U.S. manufacturers shifted resources to wartime needs, with consumer goods often made from alternative alloys or simplified designs due to rationing.

Reliance’s mirrors from this period reflect that transition — durable, practical, yet still styled with decorative elements to appeal to American households maintaining a sense of normalcy during World War II.

About the Object

This oval tabletop mirror is a WWII-era vanity piece, crafted in 1943. The frame features ornate floral motifs and scalloped edging in a gold-tone finish, designed to evoke a romantic, vintage elegance while using sturdy wartime materials. The oval glass mirror sits within the cast-metal frame and is supported by an integrated easel stand, allowing it to rest securely on a dressing table or bureau.

The stamped date and maker’s mark confirm its wartime origin, making it both a decorative accessory and a piece of American domestic history from the 1940s.