History of Mirror in Domestic Interiors with Context of Gender
Abstract:
Mirrors, which are ubiquitous but frequently understated, have historically transcended plain functionality to become powerful symbols of vanity, introspection, and society values in household interiors. Their designs have evolved over time to reflect changes in artistic styles, technical advances, and cultural influences. Notably, mirrors have frequently expressed a feminine aesthetic, with elegant frames, delicate artisanship, and links with beauty rituals supporting gender stereotypes. This study investigates the historical evolution of mirrors, their shifting designs, and their function as both aesthetic, functional and ideological aspects especially in domestic interior spaces. The research uses a mixed-methods approach, qualitative and quantitative, by combining historical analysis, literature studies, and surveys to explore mirrors' role as decorative elements and cultural icons, despite potential biases and cultural differences. It examines mirrors' role/use as silent narrators of cultural values and gender conventions, highlighting how they have shaped and been shaped by society expectations, eventually showing their deeper implications in sustaining or opposing established design ideas.
