Unique Antiques By Emma Jade
Wonderful Quality Antique Edwardian Carved Oak Wall Mirror
£ 795
Wonderful Quality Antique Edwardian Carved Oak Wall Mirror
£ 795
Unique Antiques By Emma Jade
Dave Fry
Sunburst Deco Mirror
£ 480
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
Elmgarden Antiques
Edwardian Figured Walnut Wall Mirror
£ 385
Carse Antiques
Mid Georgian Walnut Vauxhall Mirror
£ 395
Carse Antiques
Large Georgian Mahogany Wall Mirror
£ 395
Carse Antiques
Georgian Mahogany Vauxhall Wall Mirror
£ 345
Millers Antiques
Small Birds Eye Maple Mirror
£ 195
London City Antiques
Fine Quality Antique Victorian Mahogany Swing Dressing Mirror
£ 1,385
Patrick Howard Antiques
Antique Italian Triptych Sorrento Ware Walnut Crutch Oval Folding Mirror - 19th Century
£ 575
Antique Italian Triptych Sorrento Ware Walnut Crutch Oval Folding Mirror - 19th Century
£ 575
Patrick Howard Antiques
Stalham Antique Gallery
Very Good Late Regency Period Dressing Mirror
£ 325
Stalham Antique Gallery
Victorian Box Dressing Mirror with Pretty Supports.
£ 150
Graham Deakin Antiques
Antique Venetian Style Mirror
£ 275
£ 1,750
Dave Fry
Art Deco Diamond Shaped Mirror
£ 330
Barnaby's of Battle
Vintage Oak Dressing Table Chest of Drawers with Mirror 1930s
£ 350
Dave Fry
Medium Sized Art Deco Mirror
£ 260
Dave Fry
Deco Cloud Mirror
£ 250
Whites Antiques
French Louis XVI Style Rococo Oval Gilt Mirror Circa 1870
£ 1,275
Victoria Antiques
Large Amber Etched Art Deco Mirror
£ 160
£ 1,475
Small Antique Hall Mirror, English, Gilt Gesso, Vanity, Wall - Georgian c.1800
£ 1,475
London Fine Ltd
Paul Watson Antiques & Interiors Norfolk
Walnut Queen Anne Revival Dressing Mirror c.1900
£ 675
Walnut Queen Anne Revival Dressing Mirror c.1900
£ 675
Paul Watson Antiques & Interiors Norfolk
Paul Watson Antiques & Interiors Norfolk
Walnut Queen Anne Style Cheval Mirror c.1930
£ 675
£ 795
Georgian Antiques
George III Fretwork Mahogany Mirror in The Chippendale Style
£ 550
Koos Limburg Jnr
Louise Quinze XV Style Very Impressive Original Gilded Wood And Gesso Mirror, Circa 1900
£ 1,450
Louise Quinze XV Style Very Impressive Original Gilded Wood And Gesso Mirror, Circa 1900
£ 1,450
Koos Limburg Jnr
Dave Fry
Traditional Art Deco Mirror
£ 250
Dave Fry
Large Deco Overmantel
£ 450
Paul Watson Antiques & Interiors Norfolk
William IV Period Rosewood & Gilt Wall Mirror
£ 280
Paul Watson Antiques & Interiors Norfolk
Walnut Queen Anne Style Wall Mirror c.1920
£ 280
Lorna Byskou
19th Century Rococo Style Gilt Overmantle Mirror
£ 5,500
Dave Fry
Large Tri Colour Art Deco Mirror
£ 275
Dave Fry
Frameless Deco Mirror
£ 130
£ 1,100
£ 269
Dave Fry
Period Green Deco Mirror
£ 360
Philip Hunt Antiques
Georgian Style Decorative Painted Mirror
£ 825
Salisbury Antiques Centre
A Small Mahogany Dressing Table Mirror
£ 360
£ 225
Bedsteads
Painted Shield Shape Dressing Mirror
£ 250
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.