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.
Vintage World
Antique French Armoire Wardrobe with Mirrors
£ 499
£ 1,250
€ 6,500
Luxurious Chest of Drawers with Mirror in the Boulle Style. France, 19th century.
€ 6,500
Antiqon
£ 350
The Antique Shop
Antique Mahogany Edwardian Dressing Table
£ 565
Church Street Antiques
Pair of Victorian Brass Girondelle Wall Mirrors
£ 980
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Burr Walnut Dressing Table and Stool
£ 2,375
London City Antiques
Antique Edwardian Quality Mahogany Free Standing Cheval Mirror
£ 1,185
£ 775
Salisbury Antiques Centre
19thc Gilt and Gesso Mirror
£ 750
Marylebone Antiques
Vintage Brass Cheval Floor Mirror
£ 645
£ 400
£ 600
€ 450
Marylebone Antiques
Vintage Brass Vanity Table with Mirror by Peerage
£ 750
£ 475
£ 495
£ 575
Elmgarden
Large French Gilt Oval Mirror
£ 395
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
Early 19th Century Mahogany & Gilt Overmantle / Hall Mirror
£ 555
Early 19th Century Mahogany & Gilt Overmantle / Hall Mirror
£ 555
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
Whites Antiques
French 1970s Naturalistic Cork Mirror
£ 330
Town House Traders Ltd
Large Antique Giltwood Wall Mirror
£ 490
Town House Traders Ltd
Antique Walnut Framed Cheval Dressing Mirror
£ 235
€ 50
£ 225
Fabulous Circular Antique Mirror with Nautical Boat Porthole Pine Wood Frame
£ 225
House of David
London City Antiques
Large Antique Victorian Quality Giltwood & White Painted Overmantle Mirror
£ 2,450
Large Antique Victorian Quality Giltwood & White Painted Overmantle Mirror
£ 2,450
London City Antiques
Penderyn Antiques
Antique Edwardian Mahogany Dressing Mirror
£ 195
Mundella Antiques LTD
Antique Carved Gilt Oval Wall Mirror c.1900
£ 750
Georgian Antiques
Regency Mahogany Cheval Mirror
£ 1,500
D and A Binder LTD
Solid Oak Countertop Mirror
£ 330
D and A Binder LTD
1920s Brass Wall Mirror
£ 360
£ 235.55
Antique Victorian Mahogany Dressing Table Mirror / Free-standing Toilet Mirror
£ 235.55
MebleinUK
The Sitting Room & Heydays Antiques
Walnut Cheval Mirror
£ 395
£ 259.99
Antique Victorian Mahogany Dressing Table Mirror with Drawer / Free-standing Toilet Mirror
£ 259.99
MebleinUK
£ 279.99
Antique Victorian Mahogany Dressing Table Mirror / Free-Standing Toilet Mirror
£ 279.99
MebleinUK
£ 99.99
The Gentleman Terrier
Egyptian Revival Sunburst Antique Wall Mirror
£ 85
€ 1,450
Georgian Antiques
Rare Pair of Late 18th Century North Italian Arched-top Wall Mirrors
£ 3,300
Rare Pair of Late 18th Century North Italian Arched-top Wall Mirrors
£ 3,300
Georgian Antiques
Georgian Antiques
Rare Pair of Gilded Bevel-edged Mid Victorian Wall Mirrors
£ 1,450
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.