Secondhand Prop Shop

Vintage Fairground Pre-WW2 Gigantic Distortion Mirrors - Gloucestershire

Description

Exceptional Pair of Early 20th-Century Fairground Distortion Mirrors (Likely Pre-WWII)

A rare opportunity to acquire a matched pair of large, early 20th-century fairground / funhouse distortion mirrors — substantial, sculptural and wonderfully theatrical pieces that have the presence and authenticity decorators hunt for.

Each mirror features an original curved plate-glass panel, not modern acrylic, producing a dramatic tall-and-skinny “elongation” effect with a deeper lower scoop. The distortion is bold, clean and highly displayable — exactly what you want from a true period funfair mirror.

The construction is unmistakably pre-WWII: heavy solid-timber framing, thick boxed sides, and the classic panel-and-batten backside typical of travelling fairground equipment from the 1920s–1930s. These were built to survive life on the road, not to be light or modern, and that honesty is part of their appeal. The paintwork is an old overpaint in matte black, giving them a strong, graphic look suitable for modern interiors while preserving their underlying age and character.

Matched pairs of large distortion mirrors are significantly harder to find than singles, and they make a huge statement flanking an entrance, anchoring a hospitality space, or adding impact to a retail or studio environment. They work brilliantly in industrial, maximalist, eclectic, and design-forward interiors.

Dimensions (each):
H 197 cm × W 117 cm × D approx. 20 cm
(Heavy, solid, and beautifully made.)

Condition:
Authentic vintage condition with age-appropriate wear, some light foxing and marks to the mirrored glass, and honest cosmetic imperfections to the timber frames — exactly what you want in original fairground pieces. One tiny mirror crack in the corner of one. Overall strong, structurally sound, and ready for installation.

A rare, impressive and genuinely original pair — ideal for interiors, hospitality projects, collectors of fairground artefacts, or anyone wanting a dramatic, conversation-starting feature. Very bulky and heavy.

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