Frode Holm mirror

This rare folding mirror was designed by Frode Holm and produced by Illums Bolighus in Denmark during the 1950s. The mirror represents an elegant intersection of practical design and refined craftsmanship characteristic of mid-century Scandinavian aesthetics. It was likely intended for domestic or dressing-room settings where both utility and compact elegance were desired.

The mirror is constructed in solid rosewood, a prized material during the mid-20th century for its depth of color and expressive grain pattern. The rosewood frame features rich reddish-brown tones with dark linear figuring and a lustrous finish. The central mirror is flanked by two narrower side mirrors mounted on hinged panels, allowing them to fold inward like cabinet doors. When fully extended, the mirror spans double its closed width, providing a panoramic view. When folded, the side mirrors become rosewood-faced panels, each with gently rounded interior corners and visible brass screws that subtly articulate the joinery.

The internal framing around the mirrors is beveled and rounded, demonstrating the level of precision and delicacy in the woodworking. Brass hinges and mounting elements accentuate the warm tone of the rosewood while providing structural strength and visual contrast. The mirror’s configuration allows for adaptable viewing angles and space-saving functionality, a feature that aligns with Danish modernism’s emphasis on versatility and minimalism.

This piece is in good vintage condition with light signs of age and patina to the wood and brass. The construction remains firm and the hinges are fully functional, allowing smooth operation of the folding mechanism.

Produced by Illums Bolighus, a key institution in Danish design retail and production, this mirror exemplifies the type of refined and understated luxury that characterized the Danish design golden age. Frode Holm, although lesser-known than contemporaries like Kai Kristiansen or Arne Vodder, contributed to the movement through objects of high material and functional integrity.

The dimensions are 43 cm wide when closed and 86 cm wide when fully opened, with a depth of 6 cm and a height of 59 cm. These measurements convert to approximately 16.9 inches closed width, 33.9 inches opened width, 2.4 inches depth, and 23.2 inches in height.