Mirrors have a long and noble history with the oldest surviving being over 8000 years old and made of polished Obsidian (volcanic glass). For thousands of years the necessary reflective quality was created using polished metals or stones, but in the 16th Century a new finish was invented using a mercury and tin amalgam. At the time Venice was the centre for such Mirror production with this new technique was initially kept a closely guarded secret. Extremely hard to make in large sheets, most early mirror frames instead incorporated smaller plates joined together. Large mirrors only became possible in the late 18th Century and were prohibitively expensive for all but the elite.
Today a mirror is just as important in any room as in the past bringing light and elegance. Of course, there are many different forms from wall mirrors or Overmantle mirrors to dressing mirrors and handheld. However whichever you decide on, there is nothing that beats the character of antique and vintage examples. At LoveAntiques you will find amazing old mirrors of all sorts for all your needs.
£ 395
Antique & Decorative
19th Century Gilt Girandole Mirror
£ 390
Rams Head Antiques
Regency Revival Adam Style Oval Gilt Mirror
£ 285
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
Early 20th Century Gilded Mirror
£ 1,850
Planet Antiques
Stunning Unusual Large Victorian Table Mirror
£ 225
Georgian Antiques
George IV Gilded Pier Mirror
£ 1,600
Marylebone Antiques
1970s Vintage Brass Faux Bamboo Mirror
£ 375
Antique Store NI
Brass & Marble Mirror Back Console Table & Mirror
£ 5,999.99
The Gentleman Terrier
Pretty Antique Carved Wooden Bird with Grapes Hand Mirror - 19th Century, Bevelled Glass
£ 95
Pretty Antique Carved Wooden Bird with Grapes Hand Mirror - 19th Century, Bevelled Glass
£ 95
The Gentleman Terrier
Georgian Antiques
Late Georgian Triptych Carved & Gilded Overmantel Mirror
£ 1,750
Fernyhough Antiques Ltd
Walnut Cheval Mirror
£ 795
Georgian Antiques
Decorative Dutch Marquetry Inlaid Rectangular Mahogany Wall Mirror
£ 550
£ 770
Early Georgian Style Red Lacquered Wall Mirror in The Chinoiserie Style c.1880
£ 770
Georgian Antiques
Vintage World
Amazing French Mirror
£ 169
Vintage World
Amazing French Mirror
£ 109
Vintage World
Stunning French Wall Mirror
£ 119
Vintage World
Impressive French Wall Mirror
£ 99
Vintage World
Impressive French Wall Mirror
£ 119
Vintage World
Impressive French Wall Mirror
£ 99
Vintage World
Impressive French Wall Mirror
£ 109
Vintage World
Impressive French Wall Mirror
£ 109
£ 1,450
Elmgarden
Regency Style Oak Convex Wall Mirror
£ 425
£ 1,450
Vintage World
Impressive French Mirror
£ 99
Piers Rankin Silver Antiques
Stylish Art Deco Design Silver Hand Mirror
£ 140
Piers Rankin Silver Antiques
Plain Silver Circular Dressing Table Mirror by William Comyns
£ 350
Plain Silver Circular Dressing Table Mirror by William Comyns
£ 350
Piers Rankin Silver Antiques
Vintage World
Stunning French Wall Mirror
£ 119
Vintage World
Impressive French Mirror
£ 169
Vintage World
Impressive French Wall Mirror
£ 109
Town House Traders Ltd
Pair of Ornate Gilt Framed Wall Mirrors
£ 160
Vintage World
Stunning French Wall Mirror
£ 99
Vintage World
Impressive French Wall Mirror
£ 99
Vintage World
Amazing French Mirror with Console
£ 149
Tony Youll Antiques
Cherrywood Faux Bamboo Mirror
£ 495
Georgian Antiques
Regency Style Gilded Convex Mirror
£ 600
Georgian Antiques
Gilded Regency Style Convex Mirror
£ 950
Georgian Antiques
Gilded George III Style Mirror
£ 750
Wickersley Antiques
18th Century Italian Console Table
£ 1,800
Rams Head Antiques
Antique Pier Glass Mirror Regency Verre Eglomise
£ 465
There are several ways to tell if a mirror is or not. The first is to look at the mirror plate itself. Mercury Mirrors first began to be used from the 16th Century and used thicker glass than today. You can gauge the glass thickness by placing an object like a pen or coin against the glass and spot the depth of the gap before the reflection begins. The mirror will also ‘sparkle’ and create a softer image than modern mirrors. Silver backed mirrors emerged in 1835 and the mirror has a slightly more yellow tint overall than new examples. Older mirrors are more liable to have imperfections and losses to the silvering. Modern mirrors are backed in a tin foil which produces a very crisp image. You can often also date a mirror from the frame, but it is important to recognise that old mirrors regularly get new mirror plates and old mirrors can be put into modern frames. Many people today ‘age’ modern mirrors using paint or artificial wear, but these can usually be differentiated from genuine old examples.
As a loved item in any home there are many forms and styles of mirror, although they are all for the same basic purpose. The most common types are convex mirrors (which are domed outwards and display a wider field of view than usual) and flat mirrors. Those placed above the fireplace and have a flat base are called Overmantel mirrors, while those originally intended to be hung over a side table are called Pier mirrors. Depending on the size there are several names for mirrors with their own stand. These are commonly called Cheval or Swing mirrors if they tilt and Toilet or Dressing mirrors if they were intended to be placed on top of a table or chest. Hand mirrors are held in the hand as the name suggests.
Like any piece of antique furniture antique and vintage mirrors can vary dramatically in price. This can be due to the size, look, rarity and overall desirability of the piece. Generally larger more grand mirrors always command more money than smaller because they are status symbols for wealth and antique examples are usually (with some exceptions) more valuable than vintage or modern mirrors. When purchasing a mirror online it is important to consider the shipping to yourself as this can be prohibitive. Most postal companies will not offer compensation for damage and personal couriers will often charge a slight premium for the extra care required. This is why it is worthwhile buying from our reputable dealers on LoveAntiques as they usually sort the delivery for you.
Many people today enjoy mirrors which appear weathered and worn as occurs naturally over time with antique silvered or mercury mirrors. While nothing beats original worn mirror plates, this is not always possible so weathered effects are created instead. There are lots of videos and descriptions online for how to ‘age’ a mirror but there are basically two approaches. The first is to take a modern mirror and create gaps and flaking to the foil backing using cleaning products, paint stripper and abrasives such as wire wool. These gaps are then accentuated with dark paint. The second approach is to begin with a clear sheet of glass and build up a weathered mirror look using layers of mirror-effect spray paint and an oil or washing up liquid to create natural defects and spots. Either approach can be quite effective and create a unique look.