cast iron with some kind of gold wash to pretty it up. That one is nice - but I'm fond of the style. Have seen these in "brass shops" and they're generally imports from India. With the little screws and swing arms to hold the frame contents in, the old mirror you removed likely had nothing to do with the frame originally.

You know, I am thinking the mirror is original to the frame, just because all of the green tarnish gunk was on the sides where someone would grabbed it and picked it up to look in the mirror. Thanks!!!

Much nicer than an Indian Brass shop item.....and it hold a magnet....so it has to be a ferrous metal...iron or steel.
Looks very "silver-ish" to me....is there a coating on it?
Lovely frame.....don't paint it....at least not yet....and put back the beveled glass.

Thanks Linda, I know it's not Indian. Maybe Bradley and Hubbard? I did put up the beat up beveled mirror back in and will take another picture when I get home from work tonight.

I think there's a pretty good chance it's brass or copper plated cast iron. The green gunk sort of hints at this. It was used a lot for decorative items in the Art Nouveau era and it makes me think it is likely authentic.

Here is a pciture with the beveled old mirror inide the frame. That's why I am seeing copper underneath when I cleaned all of the green gunk off.

What a great find. Absolutely beautiful.

I am guessing it was gilt over iron....and that's why it turned green.

I wish I didn't have to clean it as harsh as I did but it was just nasty and the green coating was very thick and hard. Probably from the last 110 years!