Narcissus gazing upon his reflection in a pond was probably the first person to discover a mirror. From a pond to highly polished brass and copper plates, to the silvered mirror was but a matter of time. Mirror and makeup brought about the dressing table and soon that table become an integral part of my fair lady' room. In Japan, a beautifully lacquered makeup box became an essential part of every bride's trousseau. Its counterpart was found in China at the same time, in chinoiserie boxes.
The modern dressing table as we know it today was derived in the West, but soon in the East there were oriental versions, with intricate carvings of birds and flowers.
This piece of furniture is as personal as your bed and the kind of table you choose is often a reflection of your personal taste.
The sophisticate will usually go for strong clean lines while the incorrigible romantic will veer towards the ornamentation of Victorian or Peranakan styles.
Interestingly enough, the objects you keep on top of the table can be a clue to your tastes, as a lot of people keep their favourite bric a brac in view, while cosmetics are hidden away in drawers. One woman keeps her children's and pet's picture on top while another, her collection of antique perfumes bottles, so she can "gaze on them every morning."
The perfectionist will have everything neatly aligned in rows, while the scatterbrain will have to hunt under the powder puff for her hair pins.
You can make a lot of surprising discoveries about your friends by glancing at their dressing table --- as we did when took a peek at some.
