Vintage Oakland Framed Wall Mirror With Kaufher’s Label, Circa 1940s–1960s

The Piece

A vintage rectangular wall mirror set in a warm brown wood frame with a narrow gold-tone beaded inner trim. The frame has a classic mid-century traditional profile: simple, structured, and lightly decorative without becoming overly ornate, because restraint did briefly exist before everything became “modern farmhouse.”

The back retains an original paper label from Kaufher’s, a former Oakland, California shop offering pictures, framing, and religious goods at 2107 San Pablo Ave. The label gives the mirror a nice layer of regional provenance and places it within the world of mid-century neighborhood framing shops, where mirrors, devotional art, family portraits, and household pieces were framed locally rather than purchased from a warehouse with a fake French name.

Design & Construction

The mirror features a rectangular wood frame with mitered corners, a medium brown finish, and a gold-tone beaded liner along the inside edge. The glass appears to be a standard flat mirror panel rather than an elaborate beveled mirror, though this should be checked in person before final listing.

The reverse has a cardboard backing with a hanging wire and an old framer’s label. The label reads Kaufher’s, Since 1928, Pictures • Framing • Religious Goods, 2107 San Pablo Ave., Oakland, Calif., TE. 2-2456. The telephone exchange-style number supports a mid-century attribution, likely circa 1940s–1960s.

History & Provenance

This mirror is especially appealing because of its original Oakland framing label. Small neighborhood frame shops played an important role in mid-century home interiors, offering custom framing for mirrors, religious prints, portraits, certificates, and decorative wall art.

The combination of wood frame, gold inner bead, cardboard backing, wire hanger, and telephone exchange label places this piece comfortably in the mid-20th century. The shop’s “Since 1928” wording refers to the business history, while the mirror itself is best dated more conservatively to the 1940s–1960s based on construction and labeling.

Its understated traditional style makes it easy to place in an entryway, hallway, bedroom, powder room, gallery wall, or layered antique vignette.

Condition

Vintage condition with visible wear consistent with age and use. The wood frame shows scuffs, scratches, finish wear, edge wear, and small marks throughout. The cardboard backing is aged and torn in areas, with an older wire hanger present. The original shop label remains visible on the reverse. Mirror glass appears intact from the photos, though surface scratches, silvering loss, or clouding should be checked closely before final listing.

Product Details

Why This Belongs in Your Home

This mirror has the quiet charm of a true local-framed vintage piece. The wood frame is simple and warm, the gold beaded trim adds just enough detail, and the original Oakland label gives it a story beyond “brown mirror, survived several garages.”

Style it in an entryway, bedroom, powder room, hallway, or layered gallery wall. It brings age, function, and regional provenance without overpowering a space, which is honestly more than most mirrors can manage while reflecting everyone’s poor lighting choices.