House of Clarnold
Edwardian Wood Framed Mirror
£ 225
Beresford Antiques Ltd
Regency Gilded Overmantel Mirror Circa 1820
£ 595
Newark Antiques and Interiors Ltd
Pair of Edwardian Brass Gilt Mirrors
£ 620
Newark Antiques and Interiors Ltd
Pair of Oval Mirrors in Bronzed Ornate Wood Frames
£ 460
Georgian Antiques
Large Profusely Carved Victorian Oak Mirror
£ 1,500
Prior & Willis Antiques
Antique 19th Century Large Gilt Wall Mirror – High-quality Ornate Vintage Mirror
£ 976.50
Antique 19th Century Large Gilt Wall Mirror – High-quality Ornate Vintage Mirror
£ 976.50
Prior & Willis Antiques
Prior & Willis Antiques
Antique Pair of Large Red Lacquer & Gilt Chinoiserie Wall Mirrors – Circa 1910 Oriental Chinese & Japanese Style
£ 2,446.50
Antique Pair of Large Red Lacquer & Gilt Chinoiserie Wall Mirrors – Circa 1910 Oriental Chinese & Japanese Style
£ 2,446.50
Prior & Willis Antiques
Fernyhough Antiques Ltd
Large Victorian Oval Gilt Mirror
£ 995
Fernyhough Antiques Ltd
Victorian Oval Painted Mirror
£ 395
£ 109
Gaylord Antiques
Walnut Cheval Mirror
£ 575
Graham Deakin Antiques
Edwardian Faux Rosewood Oval Mirror
£ 175
Graham Deakin Antiques
Large Georgian Fretwork Mirror
£ 325
Cloverleaf Home Interiors
Mirrors Rare Set of 4 Arts and Crafts Oak Liberty Manner C1904
£ 460
Mirrors Rare Set of 4 Arts and Crafts Oak Liberty Manner C1904
£ 460
Cloverleaf Home Interiors
Holmes Antiques
19th Century Florentine Mirror
£ 850
London City Antiques
Large Antique Victorian Quality Giltwood and White Painted Overmantle Mirror
£ 2,450
Large Antique Victorian Quality Giltwood and White Painted Overmantle Mirror
£ 2,450
London City Antiques
Fernyhough Antiques Ltd
Pair of Victorian Oval Gilt Mirrors
£ 995
Elmgarden Antiques
Stunning Black and Gold Framed Regency Style Wall Mirror
£ 1,250
Lorna Byskou
Victorian Gilt Large Arch Top Overmantle Miror
£ 1,495
£ 1,650
Lorna Byskou
Victorian Gilt Large Arch Top Overmantle Mirror
£ 1,550
Lorna Byskou
Victorian Gilt Adam Style Circular Wall Mirror
£ 995
Burgett Langfield
Large 19th Century Victorian Gilt Overmantle Mirror
£ 1,595
Burgett Langfield
19th Century Victorian English Walnut Inlaid Overmantle Mirror
£ 995
The Old Yard
Large Victorian Carved Giltwood Convex Mirror
£ 850
Burgett Langfield
19th Century Victorian Ebonised And Parcel - Gilt Overmantle Mirror
£ 995
Walton House Antiques Ltd
18th Century Mahogany Serpentine Dressing Mirror
£ 795
D and A Binder LTD
Antique Brass Folding Vanity Mirror
£ 540
Burgett Langfield
19th Century Victorian Painted And Parcel - Gilt Overmantle Mirror
£ 1,195
19th Century Victorian Painted And Parcel - Gilt Overmantle Mirror
£ 1,195
Burgett Langfield
£ 169
William Rand Antiques
1930's Illuminated Mirror By Harcourts, London
£ 195
Graham Deakin Antiques
Regency Style Convex Mirror
£ 125
Burgett Langfield
19th Century Victorian Gilt Archtop Overmantle Mirror
£ 995
£ 139.99
Tony Youll Antiques
19th Century Brass Bistro Mirror
£ 775
Burgett Langfield
Large 19th Century Victorian Gilt Archtop Overmantle Mirror
£ 1,195
£ 2,250
Large 19th Century Victorian Painted And Parcel -gilt Overmantle Mirror
£ 2,250
Burgett Langfield
£ 2,250
19th Century Aesthetic Movement Ebonised, Gilt and Painted Overmantle Mirror
£ 2,250
Burgett Langfield
Harper Baxter
Large Overmantle Mirror Gilt Carved Giltwood
£ 1,250
Beresford Antiques Ltd
19th Century Mirror in Carved Oak Frame
£ 395
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.