Portraits Painted on 1880's Shaving Mirror

[lostgrandchild]

Hello!

I'm hoping that someone here may be able to help me correctly identify the man and woman painted on the back of this old shaving mirror, which dates to about the 1880's. I purchased this years ago when I was a child at a garage sale in CA in the 1960's for twenty-fives cents. I have always loved it, and would like to be able to identify the man and woman to fully appreciate it.

My mirror seems to be a one-of-a-kind, according to the antiques folks that I have had look at it. A plain shaving mirror that an artist carved and painted. These mirrors open up and fold down. It looks like a wall portait of the man first, it then reveals his wife, then all three mirrors when fully opened.

I have been told that the man and woman may be Sioux, possibly Red Cloud, but no one had the expertise to say with any certainty if this was so, and no one knew who the woman might be.

If anyone can offer some insight into the subjects of the portraits, I would greatly appreciate it. I would love to put names to the man and woman that have been with me for so long now.

Front Mirror Side, unfolded.


Reverse, unfolded.


Man's portrait. (Red Cloud? Someone else?)


Woman's portrait.


Many thanks for your help!

[jeroen]

I think the man's portrait is based on aphotograph o Wolf Robe, a Cheyenne:



The woman also looks familiar...

[lostgrandchild]

Wow it sure looks like it could be a portrait of Wolf Robe! All the little details are there on his clothing too. It certainly looks like the portrait was taken from the photo. Let me know if you come up with anything on the woman! Thank-you SO MUCH!!

Here's the two photos together:

[lostgrandchild]

Now looking at the two side by side above... I really think you nailed it Jeroen! I'll print out the photo to keep with the mirror and will read up on Wolf Robe.