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.
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
Drexel Heritage Hollywood Chinoiserie Mirror
£ 595
Antique & Decorative
Art Deco Dressing Chest by Heals
£ 790
Antique & Decorative
George III Gilt Overmantel Mirror
£ 460
£ 490
Large, Late Victorian Oak Framed Wall Mirror with Brass Horseshoe Nail Studding
£ 490
Georgian Antiques
Georgian Antiques
Neat-sized Cottage Style Oak Cheval Mirror
£ 550
Harmony Antiques
English Butlers Porthole Convex Mirror
£ 165
Georgian Antiques
Magnificent Large Carved Renaissance-style Bevel Edge Wall Mirror
£ 2,500
Georgian Antiques
Renaissance-style Carved Fruitwood Wall Mirror
£ 750
JMR Antiques Ltd
Early 19th Century English Mahogany Mirror
£ 895
Salisbury Antiques Centre
Serpentine Box Base Mirror c.1820
£ 875
Tom Scott Antiques
Large English Gilt Overmantle Bevelled Mirror
£ 695
Rams Head Antiques
Stunning Regency Gilt Overmantle Mirror
£ 2,250
Knight Fine Antiques & Collectables
Vintage Mahogany Cheval Mirror
£ 140
Victoria Antiques
Retro / Deco Wall Mirror
£ 125
The Old Yard
19th Century Florentine Gilt Mirror
£ 325
In a Nutshell Antiques & Interiors Ltd
Arts & Crafts Hand Beaten Copper Mirror
£ 195
ActFurniture LTD
Antique 19th Century Wardrobe 0f Small Proportion in Mahogany
£ 425
Church Street Antiques
Pair of Adam Revival Giltwood Mirrors
£ 1,650
Tom Scott Antiques
19th Century English Rosewood Overmantle Mirror
£ 345
Antique & Modern Living
Gilt Frame Rococo Style Wall Mirror
£ 825
Worboys Antiques
Victorian Carved Oak Wall Mirror
£ 245
Georgian Antiques
Classic Regency Gilded Convex Mirror
£ 1,250
Fernyhough Antiques Ltd
English Gilt Oval Wall Mirror
£ 395
Town House Traders Ltd
Antique Walnut Framed Cheval Dressing Mirror
£ 250
London City Antiques
Large Antique Victorian Quality Mahogany Cheval Mirror
£ 1,850
Marylebone Antiques
Vintage Italian Hollywood Regency Style Mirror
£ 375
Knight Fine Antiques & Collectables
Large French Napoleon III Ebonised & Gilt Overmantle Mirror
£ 1,950
Large French Napoleon III Ebonised & Gilt Overmantle Mirror
£ 1,950
Knight Fine Antiques & Collectables
London City Antiques
Antique Victorian Quality Mahogany Cheval Mirror
£ 1,285
Antique Furniture Direct
Large Edwardian Oak Framed Oval Mirror
£ 250
JMR Antiques Ltd
Early 20th Century Green Lacquered Chinoiserie Wall Mirror
£ 695
Fernyhough Antiques Ltd
Super Victorian Oval Gilt Mirror
£ 895
Fernyhough Antiques Ltd
Superb Satinwood Inlaid Tryptic Cheval Mirror
£ 1,495
Tony Youll Antiques
19th Century Rippled Gilt Mirror
£ 295
Georgian Antiques
Unusual, Neat-size Rosewood Georgian Overmantel Mirror
£ 550
Antique & Decorative
Pair of 19th Century Continental Wall Mirrors
£ 1,200
Georgian Antiques
Carved & Gilded Mirror in the Manner of ‘James Moore’
£ 1,500
Rams Head Antiques
Good Large 19th Century Italian Wall Mirror Marginal Mirror
£ 1,150
Worboys Antiques
Mahogany Full Length Wall Mirror
£ 245
Whites Antiques
Regency Gentleman’s Adjustable Shaving Stand Vanity Mirror
£ 1,650
Worboys Antiques
Mahogany Full Length Wall Mirror
£ 285
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.