Antique of the Week: Barbola Mirror

As everyone in Kensington knows, Antique Row is one of the community’s points of pride. Howard Avenue and its side streets are lined with shops specializing in antique furniture, rugs, vintage toys, used books and more. This large presence in the community sparked our feature, Antique of the Week, where we will showcase a different item or curiosity each week to bring attention to pieces from the past.

This week, we’re featuring an English Barbola mirror from the 1920s. Fran DiGregorio, the proprietor of Wisteria Antiques, said the mirror is handcrafted. It is beveled around the edges and has a gesso foundation. The back of the mirror is gilded, and the roses are hand-painted. It stands on an easel. 

Barbola comes from a common term in embroidery where a fabric stiffener is used in place of wires to mold the petals and leaves of flowers. It became popularized during the 1920s in England as a style that imitated expensive wooden carvings.

DiGregorio said that each mirror is unique. “You won’t see any that are alike,” she said. She added they are hard to find since they are strictly from England, but she carries a few different Barbola mirrors at her store. 

This particular mirror is selling for $225. Stop by the store at Wisteria Antiques, located at 3750 Howard Ave. or phone DiGregorio at 202-412-1453.