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Current Status :- Complete
Latest Progress 27th November 2006.
The mirror is now complete.
The progress of the mirror thought its manufacturing stages can be seen below.
Go to the gallery to see additional pictures.
All the glass and mirror was cut out. The edges and back of the mirror were sealed with clear nail varnish to ensure that it is not affected by 'mirror black spot'. This can occur months after the piece is manufactured and is caused flux or cement reacting with the silvered mirror backing. I was planning to wrap the mirror edges with black backed copper foil to stop a reflection of the lead came being seen the edge of the mirror. I checked this on small piece of mirror. It was impossible to get the edge of the foil to accurately match the edge of the lead came and I found in practice it was not required.
I have attached some pictures of the cut glass below.
Outline Design ©
Designed by L.Butcher
Manufacturing Cartoon ©
Designed by L.Butcher
Size 22" x 35" (560 x890mm)
Cut out Rennie Mackintosh rose before leading
The main rose looks really good, even better than is brought out by the photograph. It is a mixture of an opalescent pink (not see though) and a clear Uroboros red. Selecting the right pink was difficult and to get the colour I required I had to buy an irridescent pink and then use the side that had not had the irridescent coating applied! The red will have mirror mounted behind it and the mirror makes the red appear to change colour and intensity as the light in the room changes.
The cut out shape to the bottom left of the main rose
An example of the clear textured glass with mirror behind
In additional to the mirror of the design I am planning to bring additional depth to the piece by attaching piece of mirror behind the clear textured glass and Uroboros red. This will be done by copper foiling the mirror pieces and then soldering them to the lead came.(When I came to make the mirror I decided it ws easier to mount a complete sheet of mirror behind. This has the advatage that it can then be removed for cleaning)
It will be done after the piece is leaded and cemented.The picture does not do justice to the effect but turns the texture of the glass into a silver shimmer that moves as the light or your position changes.
Rennie Mackinosh Mirror before leading ©.
The photograph was taken on a white board outside and the reflection in the mirror is the sky. The textured clear and tranluscent red glass does not have mirror placed behind it for the photograph.
The mirror will be edged with lead came and so when it is completed the extra amount I have added to the pink half moon shape for strength will not be seen.
Starting to Lead up the Rennie Mackintosh Mirror ©.
A wooden template has been cut out to ensure the arch is a consistant radius.The pieces are now being leaded up starting at the top of the arch.The rose proved to be very fiddly.
The Rennie Mackintosh Mirror is now leaded up ©.
The Rennie Mackintosh Mirror is now fully leaded up and the is being soldered. The joints are fluxed with a tallow candle prior to soldering.
The Rennie Mackintosh Mirror back solder up ©.
The Rennie Mackintosh Mirror is now fully leaded up and most of the joints are now soldered. I noticed one joint I missed when I took the photograph so that is the next job.
The panel will now be cemented and cleaned before additional mirror pieces are added behind the clear glass.
A detail view of the clip to hold the mirror behind the rose in place. The clip allows for the mirror to be removed for cleaning
The Rennie Mackintosh Mirror back showing the additional mirror in place ©.
The back view of the Rennie Mackintosh Mirror. The "bar" on the back is a copper tube. This a has been tied with wire and then soldered to the lead cames.
I wanted to spread the weigh of the mirror accross as many cames as possible when it is hung. The mirror will be hung with steel cable that will be passed though the large tube.
The Finished Rennie Mackintosh Mirror ©.
Finished Size 580 x 910 mm
The completed Rennie Mackintosh Mirror ready to be installed.
Scroll up the page to see how it was made or down the page for more detailed pictures.
The Finished Rennie Mackintosh Mirror ©.
The Finished Rennie Mackintosh Mirror ©.
The Finished Rennie Mackintosh Mirror ©.
The Finished Rennie Mackintosh Mirror ©.
You can see a Charles Rennie Mackintosh print reflected in the mirror.
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