Removing the wallpaper revealed the mysterious outlines of what seemed to be two identical mirrors facing each other across the room. Whether they were used to bring more light in to the room or to allow her to see herself from a different angle we are not sure. We were delighted to discover, however, that the mirror over the sink in the downstairs bathroom, which is the one visitors use, is an exact match for the shape of the mysterious shadow. Clearly it had been moved down there at some point in the past.
We are planning to redecorate the upstairs bathroom once paint analysis and further research has been done into the decoration of the time.
If you would like to see yourself reflected in Thomas Hardy’s own mirror, just come and visit Max Gate.
