Hi Jafon,

Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.

Ebay has evolved from a strictly online-only auction website into a selling platform where unregulated private sellers can post anything they have for sale at any price they want, regardless of that price being what the industry deems "fair," or what market-savvy collectors would pay for the same item. It's been my experience that many sellers knowingly ask high prices in the hope that they find an unwitting buyer with deep pockets who will pay more for a "look".

I don't see a label on the back of this mirror but it was probably made by Syroco, the trade name of the Syracuse Ornamental Company, a major American decorative arts manufacturer founded in 1890 in Syracuse by immigrant woodcarver Adolph Holstein. The company's name was derived from SYRacuse Ornamental COmpany. It became famous for producing decorative objects that looked hand-carved but could be manufactured at a fraction of the cost.

The company's breakthrough was SyrocoWood, a molded composite material made primarily from wood pulp, wood flour, binders, and other additives. Rather than carving each ornament individually, Syroco pressed the material into molds taken from original carvings. The finished pieces could be stained, painted, or gilded to resemble carved wood.

I've found several similar but unattributed mirrors listed online, from prices ranging from $700 to $2,500 on eBay to high four figures at online retail shops or interior design firms.

When similar mirrors come to auction, they have usually brought prices in the $500-1,000 range. If you're looking to sell this, I would ask $1,500 for it and reduce if necessary.

Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:

A vintage gilt sunburst mirror
possibly by Syroco, circa 1970s
not signed or labeled
18 inches diameter
CONDITION: this appears to be in very good condition
PROVENANCE: Inherited
$500-1,000*
*represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary.

Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, or questions/concerns, and thank you again for using Mearto.
~ Delia