10/31/2024 22:52:55

Vintage & Antique Mirrors

(1,754 items)

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.

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Large Oval Gilt & Red Wall Mirror

£ 300

€350
$377
Large Oval Gilt & Red Wall Mirror

Large Oval Gilt & Red Wall Mirror

£ 300

€350
$377

Elmgarden

Superb  French Rococo Oval Gilt Wall Mirror

£ 1,500

€1,752
$1,887
Superb  French Rococo Oval Gilt Wall Mirror

Superb French Rococo Oval Gilt Wall Mirror

£ 1,500

€1752
$1887

Elmgarden

French Gilt Rococo Wall Mirror

£ 445

€520
$560
French Gilt Rococo Wall Mirror

French Gilt Rococo Wall Mirror

£ 445

€520
$560

Elmgarden

Adam Style Gilt Metal Mirror

Marylebone Antiques

Adam Style Gilt Metal Mirror

£ 575

€672
$723
Adam Style Gilt Metal Mirror

Adam Style Gilt Metal Mirror

£ 575

€672
$723

Marylebone Antiques

Walnut Cheval Mirror

Worboys Antiques

Walnut Cheval Mirror

£ 395

€461
$497
Walnut Cheval Mirror

Walnut Cheval Mirror

£ 395

€461
$497

Worboys Antiques

Ornate Oval Gilt Wall Mirror

£ 295

€345
$371
Ornate Oval Gilt Wall Mirror

Ornate Oval Gilt Wall Mirror

£ 295

€345
$371

Elmgarden

Imposing Large Italian Carved Giltwood Mirror

£ 1,250

€1,460
$1,572
Imposing Large Italian Carved Giltwood Mirror

Imposing Large Italian Carved Giltwood Mirror

£ 1,250

€1460
$1572

Rams Head Antiques

Good Large William IV Overmantel Mirror

£ 1,850

€2,161
$2,327
Good Large William IV Overmantel Mirror

Good Large William IV Overmantel Mirror

£ 1,850

€2161
$2327

Rams Head Antiques

George III Mahogany Dressing Table Mirror

£ 280

€327
$352
George III Mahogany Dressing Table Mirror

George III Mahogany Dressing Table Mirror

£ 280

€327
$352

Antique & Decorative

Pretty Antique Rococo Pier Glass Mirror

£ 385

€450
$484
Pretty Antique Rococo Pier Glass Mirror

Pretty Antique Rococo Pier Glass Mirror

£ 385

€450
$484

Rams Head Antiques

19th Century Shield Venetian Mirror

£ 695

€812
$874
19th Century Shield Venetian Mirror

19th Century Shield Venetian Mirror

£ 695

€812
$874

Elmgarden

Italian Neo Classical Giltwood Mirror

£ 675

€789
$849
Italian Neo Classical Giltwood Mirror

Italian Neo Classical Giltwood Mirror

£ 675

€789
$849

Marylebone Antiques

Antique Marquetry Dressing Table Mirror

£ 425

€496
$535
Antique Marquetry Dressing Table Mirror

Antique Marquetry Dressing Table Mirror

£ 425

€496
$535

Kernow Furniture

Large Industrial Style Arch Top Window Mirror

£ 1,750

€2,044
$2,201
Victorian Long Hall Dressing Mirror

£ 475

€555
$597
Victorian Long Hall Dressing Mirror

Victorian Long Hall Dressing Mirror

£ 475

€555
$597

Elmgarden

Mirrors Rare Pair of Arts & Crafts Copper & Oak c.1900

£ 950

€1,110
$1,195
Mirrors Rare Pair of Arts & Crafts Copper & Oak c.1900

Mirrors Rare Pair of Arts & Crafts Copper & Oak c.1900

£ 950

€1110
$1195

Cloverleaf Home Interiors

Antique Mahogany Pier Glass Mirror Regency Revival

£ 245

€286
$308
Antique Mahogany Pier Glass Mirror Regency Revival

Antique Mahogany Pier Glass Mirror Regency Revival

£ 245

€286
$308

Rams Head Antiques

Vintage Vanity Mirror

D and A Binder LTD

Vintage Vanity Mirror

£ 132

€154
$166
Vintage Vanity Mirror

Vintage Vanity Mirror

£ 132

€154
$166

D and A Binder LTD

Louis Philippe Carved Wood Mirror

Newark Antiques and Interiors Ltd

Louis Philippe Carved Wood Mirror

£ 815

€952
$1,025
Louis Philippe Carved Wood Mirror

Louis Philippe Carved Wood Mirror

£ 815

€952
$1025

Newark Antiques and Interiors Ltd

Victorian Mahogany Cheval Mirror

Knight Fine Antiques & Collectables

Victorian Mahogany Cheval Mirror

£ 800

€935
$1,006
Victorian Mahogany Cheval Mirror

Victorian Mahogany Cheval Mirror

£ 800

€935
$1006

Knight Fine Antiques & Collectables

Lovely Early Victorian Oval Gilt Mirror

£ 895

€1,045
$1,126
Lovely Early Victorian Oval Gilt Mirror

Lovely Early Victorian Oval Gilt Mirror

£ 895

€1045
$1126

Fernyhough Antiques Ltd

Arched Gold Overmantle Mirror

£ 595

€695
$748
Arched Gold Overmantle Mirror

Arched Gold Overmantle Mirror

£ 595

€695
$748

Elmgarden

Elegant George III Pier Glass Gilt Mirror

£ 585

€683
$736
Elegant George III Pier Glass Gilt Mirror

Elegant George III Pier Glass Gilt Mirror

£ 585

€683
$736

Rams Head Antiques

Antique Giltwood Rococo Mirror

£ 565

€660
$711
Antique Giltwood Rococo Mirror

Antique Giltwood Rococo Mirror

£ 565

€660
$711

Rams Head Antiques

Large Chinese Chippendale Overmantel

£ 900

€1,051
$1,132
Large Chinese Chippendale Overmantel

Large Chinese Chippendale Overmantel

£ 900

€1051
$1132

Elmgarden

Vintage and Antique Mirror FAQs


How can you tell if a mirror is old?

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.


What different types of mirror are there?

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.


How much do Antique mirrors cost?

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.     


How to antique a mirror?

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.  


Where can I buy antique mirrors?

There are more places than ever to buy antique mirrors from physical bricks and mortar shops to online portals such as LoveAntiques. Since mirrors can be quite fragile it is best to purchase from a reputable dealer which will give you the piece of mind that the item is genuine as listed, that it is in good condition and who will sort out safe delivery for you if needed. There are many styles to choose from depending on your taste and the size of the space it is going into, but for later resale classic timeless examples hold their value well and will always be desirable. Compared to the past we now appreciate a degree of wear and degradation to the mirror plate and frames, but it is important to remember that there is a difference between worn and worn out.