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.
Tom Scott Antiques
19th Century Gilt Pier Bracket Mirror
£ 395
Wildwinds Antiques
Arts & Craft Hall Hanging Mirror
£ 185
£ 2,500
Rams Head Antiques
Very Large Art Deco Peach Glass Circular Mirror
£ 695
London City Antiques
Antique Victorian Painted Adjustable Shaving Stand Vanity Mirror
£ 1,095
Antique Victorian Painted Adjustable Shaving Stand Vanity Mirror
£ 1,095
London City Antiques
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
Attractive 19th Century Gilt Pier Mirror
£ 1,350
Merchant House Antiques
Cherrywood Faux Bamboo Cheval Mirror
£ 2,495
£ 195
Debenham Antiques Ltd
Mid 20th Century Oak Framed Etched Wall Mirror
£ 595
Millers Antiques
19th Century Wall Mirror Ho Ho Bird
£ 750
Salisbury Antiques Centre
18th Century Serpentine Fronted Dressing Table Mirror c.1770
£ 525
Fernyhough Antiques Ltd
Super Edwardian Overmantle Mirror
£ 895
£ 229.99
Barnaby's of Battle
Antique Oak Hall Stand with Tile Back 1910s
£ 195
Church Street Antiques
19th Century Giltwood Bevelled Mirror
£ 780
£ 375
Graham Smith Antiques Ltd
Georgian Carved Giltwood Mirror
£ 1,300
D and A Binder LTD
1950s Brass Vanity Mirror
£ 330
D and A Binder LTD
1930s Vanity Chrome Mirror
£ 264
Prometheus Antiques
Unusual Georgian Sampler with Mirror
£ 295
Hingstons Antiques
Large Carved Teak Florentine Mirror
£ 1,150
£ 550
£ 5,500
Salisbury Antiques Centre
George III Satinwood Toilet Mirror
£ 795
Holmes Antiques
Gilt Composition Florentine Mirror
£ 550
Elmgarden
Dramatic Giltwood French Wall Mirror
£ 650
Elmgarden
Large Heavy French Wall Mirror
£ 745
Holmes Antiques
Fine 18th Century Walnut & Parcel Gilt Mirror
£ 8,500
Worboys Antiques
Early 20th Century Walnut Cheval Mirror
£ 475
£ 150
Art Deco Solid Silver Champagne Guilloche Enamel Hand Mirror Birmingham 1936
£ 150
WhatSheWants
Holmes Antiques
Late 19th Century Giltwood Mirror
£ 2,400
Holmes Antiques
Large Late 18th Century Florentine Mirror
£ 2,800
£ 845
£ 2,500
Tony Youll Antiques
Pair of 18th Century Giltwood Venetian Girandoles
£ 1,350
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
Early 20th Century English Pier Gilt Mirror
£ 1,150
£ 2,800
£ 1,150
Tony Youll Antiques
18th Century Carved Giltwood Wall Mirror
£ 1,750
Lorna Byskou
Victorian Giltwood Arch Top Overmantle Mirror
£ 1,150
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.